Canadian Freight Regulations: Hours of Service and Safety Compliance

Canadian freight trucking operates under strict federal and provincial regulations ensuring safety and fair competition. Understanding these regulations is essential for shippers and carriers. Hours of Service (HOS) regulations prevent driver fatigue. Daily driving limit allows 13 hours driving in a 14-hour window after 8 consecutive hours off duty. Daily on-duty limit restricts 14 hours on-duty time including driving and other work. Cycle options provide choice between 70 hours on-duty in 7 days or 120 hours in 14 days. Reset provisions permit cycle reset after 36 consecutive hours off-duty for 7-day cycle or 72 hours off for 14-day cycle. Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) became mandatory June 2021 for most Canadian commercial carriers, automatically recording driving hours, preventing manual log falsification, improving compliance monitoring, and enabling electronic inspection. Exemptions exist for short-haul operations (160 km radius from terminal), certain agricultural operations, and emergency vehicles. Vehicle safety standards ensure trucks meet minimum requirements. National Safety Code sets standards for vehicles operating interprovincially. Provincial inspection programs check brakes, lights, tires, steering, and other safety systems. Annual safety inspections (commercial vehicle inspections) are required in most provinces. Out-of-service orders remove unsafe vehicles from operation until repairs are completed. Carrier compliance requirements include operating authority requiring federal NSC (National Safety Code) certification for interprovincial carriers and provincial operating authority for intra-provincial operations. Insurance minimums include $1 million for most trucks, higher amounts for dangerous goods, and proof of insurance carried in vehicles. Safety fitness ratings assess carrier safety performance with audits, roadside inspections, and collision records. Unsatisfactory ratings can result in operating authority suspension. Weight and dimension regulations limit truck sizes. Federal limits for interprovincial freight include 63,500 kg (140,000 lbs) gross vehicle weight, though some provinces allow higher weights on specific routes. Width generally 2.6 meters (8.5 feet) with some variances. Height typically 4.15 meters (13.5 feet). Length 25 meters (82 feet) for tractor-trailers. Oversize/overweight permits required when exceeding limits, obtained from each province freight travels through. Pilot vehicles may be required for particularly large loads. Border crossing regulations for Canada-US freight include commercial vehicle documents (manifests, BOLs, customs documents), driver documentation (passports, FAST cards for enrolled drivers), vehicle requirements (meeting both Canadian and US standards), and Hours of Service compliance (both Canadian and US rules apply to cross-border operations). Provincial variations add complexity. Quebec requires French language documentation for intra-provincial freight. British Columbia has stricter emission standards in Metro Vancouver. Ontario has unique dimension limits and permit processes. Alberta has different HOS allowances for oil field operations. Dangerous goods regulations (TDG - Transportation of Dangerous Goods) apply to hazmat freight requiring classification according to TDG schedules, proper packaging meeting TDG standards, marking and labeling with UN numbers and hazard classes, documentation including shipping documents and emergency response information, and training for anyone handling dangerous goods. Environmental regulations address emissions and fuel efficiency. Carbon pricing in participating provinces affects operating costs. Clean fuel standards require minimum renewable content. Future regulations may mandate lower-emission vehicles. Compliance monitoring occurs through roadside inspections checking HOS compliance, vehicle safety, weights and dimensions, and dangerous goods compliance. Carriers receive CVSA (Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance) inspection reports. Violations result in fines, penalties, and negative safety ratings. Audit programs include NSC audits reviewing carrier safety management systems, facility audits inspecting carrier locations and records, and records review examining trip logs, maintenance records, and driver qualification files.