Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration
Summary of changes to CVOR – effective April 2, 2007
Background Information
Ontario has had a Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration (CVOR) system in place since October 1986 and has safety rated carriers operating in (or through) Ontario since 1999. These programs were developed through extensive consultations with Ontario truck and bus industry stakeholders.
Since July of 1989, until December 31 2005, all carriers that operated commercial motor vehicles in Ontario (over 4,500 kg RGW or gross weight and buses designed to carry 10 or more passengers) were required to register and obtain a CVOR certificate. This requirement applied regardless of where the carrier's vehicles were registered. Event data that includes collisions, convictions, CVSA vehicle inspections and facility audit results was used to monitor the on-road safety performance of the carrier's commercial motor vehicle fleet as well as the carrier's compliance with highway safety legislation and regulations.
The Federal Motor Vehicle Transport Act
On January 1, 2006, amendments to the federal Motor Vehicle Transport Act came into force. These amendments required that all provinces cease from safety rating and issuing safety fitness certificates to extra-provincial truck and bus undertakings that are base-plated in other Canadian jurisdictions. The intent is that each province will register, safety rate and monitor the on-road safety performance of only its "own" carriers. Monitoring of carriers will be done utilizing event data (accidents, convictions and CVSA inspections) collected by all Canadian jurisdictions and sent to the carrier's base jurisdiction through the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) data exchange system. Since the data exchange system is limited to events occurring in Canada associated with Canadian carriers only, Ontario will continue to monitor USA-plated carriers based on Ontario event exposure only.
In order to comply with these federal requirements, Ontario made significant changes to the CVOR system on January 1 2006 and will make more changes effective April 2, 2007.
On January 1, 2006 Ontario:
- stopped requiring operators base-plated in other Canadian jurisdictions from having to register under Ontario's CVOR program,
- stopped safety rating these same operators, and
- now recognizes safety fitness certificates and safety ratings issued by other Canadian jurisdictions, in lieu of requiring an Ontario CVOR certificate and safety rating.
Building on these initiatives of Transport Canada, all provinces and territories agreed to "harmonize" their carrier safety rating and facility audit programs. As a result, significant program revisions have been made.
Changes effective April 2, 2007
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has modernized Ontario's CVOR, carrier safety rating and facility audit programs. On April 2, 2007 a new intervention model will come into effect. In developing the new model, MTO conducted substantial research analysing events that occurred over the past five years and comparing them with future collisions. The results of the MTO study were compared to a similar study conducted by the American Transportation Research Institute.
The ATRI study had similar conclusions as the MTO findings. The result is a predictive model that identifies those types of past events that best predict future collisions. Consequently, the new intervention process can be characterized as "proactive and predictive" compared to the current "rehabilitative" system.
The new model includes the following features.
- The new CVOR model will replace "adjusted fleet size" with "kilometric travel in Canada" as the basis for assessing each carrier's relative exposure to on-highway risk.
- A carrier's safety record will now include event data collected throughout Canada.
- All levels of CVSA inspections will be used in determining the carrier's violation rate and safety rating.
- Ontario will continue to point only those collisions that indicate impropriety (at fault) on the part of the carrier and/or driver.
- Point values assessed for convictions have been revised to align better with the relative likelihood of those types of offences that lead to future collisions and also to be more consistent with those point values assigned by other Canadian jurisdictions.
- The intervention model (i.e. violation rate thresholds) has been re-calibrated to incorporate the new data and pointing methodologies.
- Carrier and CVOR Drivers abstracts will have a new look that incorporates all the new information.
The "road to change" will be a smooth one which will see the new model move forward from April 2, 2007 and will continue to apply the old set of rules for events prior to April 2, 2007. This "BLENDED" method applies a sliding 2-year window, where the old rules apply to the first portion of the 2-year period that took place before April 2, 2007 and the new rules to the second portion that takes place afterwards. The two violation rates are then "blended" in proportion to the amount of time associated with each period. Eventually, after two years, the entire violation rate will be based on the new set of rules and the road to change is complete.
For more information contact:
Carrier Sanctions & Investigations Office
301 St. Paul Street, 3rd Floor
St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7R4
Phone: 416-246-7166 or 1-800-387-7736 (in Ontario)
Questions and Answers
- What is the Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration System?
- Who must register for a CVOR Certificate?
- How does a carrier register for a CVOR Certificate?
- Which vehicles are considered part of a carrier’s fleet size?
- Are any vehicles not required to be registered under CVOR?
- What information does the CVOR System monitor?
- What is a CVOR Abstract?
- What events appear on a Carrier CVOR Abstract?
- How are accident points assigned to a carrier's CVOR?
- How are conviction points assigned to a carrier's CVOR?
- How are inspection points assigned to a carrier's CVOR?
- How does the CVOR System evaluate a carrier?
- How does the CVOR System trigger interventions and sanctions?
- What are sanctions?
- How are sanctions applied to non-compliant carriers?
- How does a carrier report CVOR changes/discrepancies?
- What CVOR documentation must be produced at the roadside?
Threshold Values
Violation Rates
- How does the CVOR System monitor violation rates?
- What may happen to a carrier with an unacceptable violation rate?
What is the Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration System?
The Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) System is an automated monitoring system that tracks the on-road safety performance of commercial vehicle operators. This system was developed following extensive industry consultation and was first implemented by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in October of 1986. It has subsequently been updated and improved. Improvements include the addition of more carrier data on the operating record abstract and revised monitoring mechanisms.
Carrier monitoring systems such as the CVOR System are an integral part of the National Safety Code standards throughout Canada. Other jurisdictions also require that carriers register and report various types of information for monitoring purposes. Carriers operating in Ontario have been required to register with the MTO's CVOR Program since July of 1989. At that time, it became mandatory that persons/businesses/organizations/etc. responsible for heavy commercial vehicles register as a commercial vehicle operator.
The goals of the CVOR System are to improve safety for all users of Ontario highways and develop effective compliance strategies with emphasis on safety and protection of the highway infrastructure
Who must register for a CVOR Certificate?
Commercial carriers (operators) that operate in Ontario must register for a CVOR Certificate. Each legal entity (separate corporation/company or individual) requires one certificate. The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) defines an "operator" as the "person directly or indirectly responsible for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle including the conduct of the driver and the carriage of goods or passengers, if any, in the vehicle or combination of vehicles".
The carrier does not necessarily need to be the vehicle owner, but it must hold a valid CVOR Certificate when using vehicles that are leased or contracted.
For-hire carriers of goods and passengers must obtain an operating licence and Competency Certificate. Operating licences can be obtained from the Ministry's Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office. Operators of buses and motorcoaches may also require an operating authority under the Public Vehicles Act (PVA). Contact the Ontario Highway Transport Board (OHTB) at (416) 326-6732 for more information.
How does a carrier register for a CVOR Certificate?
To register for a CVOR Certificate, a carrier must complete a "Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration Certificate Application/Change of Information" (See Appendix M) form that can be obtained from:
Carrier Sanctions and Investigation
Office
Ministry of Transportation
301 St. Paul Street,3rd Floor
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2R 7R4
Phone: 416-246-7166, or 1-800-387-7736 (in Ontario
only)
Fax: 905-704-2039
The application requests information pertaining to the carrier such as type of operation, corporate officers, directors and/or shareholders, fleet size, kilometres travelled, and authorized signature. Additional documentation may be required for new applicants (e.g. corporate papers).
On receipt of the completed application form, the Ministry will mail the CVOR Certificate to the carrier. As the certificate is carrier related and not vehicle specific, only one certificate is issued. The carrier is responsible for placing a copy of the certificate in each of the commercial motor vehicles (power units) operating under that CVOR.
Presently, there is no fee associated with the original CVOR Certificate, however, there is a $5.00 replacement fee if the certificate is lost or stolen.
Which vehicles are considered part of a carrier's fleet size?
he vehicles that must be registered as part of a carrier's fleet size include all heavy commercial vehicle power units (including leased, rented and owned) having a gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4500 kg or buses designed to carry ten or more passengers. Trailers are not counted as part of the fleet size.
Only those vehicles that normally travel in Ontario should be identified. Vehicles that travel solely outside Ontario must not be included. If the fleet size fluctuates throughout the year, the 'average' fleet size operating within Ontario must be reported.
See Appendix L for more information on calculating the adjusted fleet size.
Are any vehicles not required to be registered under CVOR?
Carriers operating the following vehicles are not required to be registered under CVOR: ambulances, fire apparatus, hearses and casket wagons, mobile cranes, motor homes, tow trucks, buses when used for personal transportation, empty vehicles operating under dealer plates or "in transit" permits, vehicles leased for not longer than 30 days for personal use, and private out of province carriers not operating under a Canadian Agreement on Vehicle Registration (CAVR) cab card.
- Crane operators under special permit are required to apply for a CVOR Certificate as a condition of their permit.
Whether registered under CVOR or not, all carriers must operate safely and are subject to monitoring and Ministry interventions and sanctions if non-compliant.
What information does the CVOR System monitor?
The CVOR System monitors a carrier's CVOR Record over a two-year period. This automated computer system contains information that includes:
- Carrier information (i.e. fleet size, commodity, violation rate, safety rating)
- Convictions
- Reportable accidents
- Vehicle mechanical safety inspections
- Ministry interventions (i.e. letters, interviews, audits and sanctions)
What is a CVOR Abstract?
A CVOR Abstract is a document that displays information about a carrier and that carrier's safety performance. There are three CVOR Abstracts available:
A Public CVOR Abstract (Level I) which is a one page summary document available to the general public summarizing a carrier's record for a two-year period. (See Appendix C for an example and glossary of terms).
A Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II) which is only available to the carrier or their authorized agent, and includes summary data for a two-year period as well as detailed event data for accidents, convictions, and inspections for a five-year period. (See Appendix C for an example and glossary of terms).
A CVOR Driver Abstract which shows accidents, convictions and inspections relating to the driver while operating a commercial vehicle only, for five years. The driver licence status and medical due date are also shown. (See Appendix C for an example and glossary of terms).
A copy of a CVOR Abstract or CVOR Driver Abstract can be obtained from:
-
Any ServiceOntario kiosk located across the province.
Note: Carrier CVOR Level II Abstracts are not available at kiosks. -
By mail from the Ministry of Transportation, Licensing Administration Office, 2680 Keele Street, Downsview, Ontario M3M 1J8.
Level I CVOR Abstracts may also be purchased over the internet at www.carriersafetyrating.com. Multiple abstracts may be ordered by contacting the Licensing Administration Office by e-mail at LAO@mto.gov.on.ca.
Please see Appendix J for information regarding retrieval of other Ministry data.
Carriers should monitor their CVOR Record and the performance information it provides, including the carrier's violation rates, thresholds, audit scores and resulting carrier safety rating. The carrier should identify and address problem areas in order to improve its commercial vehicle safety performance.
What events appear on a Carrier CVOR Abstract?
Accidents, convictions and inspections appear on a Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II) in the following ways:
Accidents
Reportable accidents are received
by MTO from the police (Ministry of the Solicitor General). A "reportable
accident" under the HTA involves damage over $1,000 and/or personal injury.
Accidents are assigned points based on the severity of
the accident as denoted by codes and other information on the Motor Vehicle
Accident Report (See
Table 1 illustrates the Accident Weighting Table used by the Ministry to assign accident points. Refer to Appendix E for information on accident prevention.
Convictions
An officer may lay a charge
against a driver or carrier. Convictions resulting from charges are recorded on
the carrier's CVOR Record with point values based on safety severity. Refer to
the Conviction Code Table in Appendix
F for points assigned to particular convictions.
Inspections
An officer may conduct a
mechanical inspection of a commercial vehicle. Inspections are conducted
according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) standards, a
standard applied by all jurisdictions across North America.
Appendix G provides a sample
Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report (CVIR) and an explanatory template.
Vehicle defects that do not meet the minimum standard are considered
out-of-service (oos).
When defects exceed the critical defect criteria as defined in O.Reg. 512/97 of the HTA, impoundment of the vehicle may occur. Impoundment of a commercial vehicle does not incur additional points on the CVOR Record. However, this event does appear on the CVOR Record and could result in the carrier being recommended for intervention.
Prior to June 1999, only inspections with out-of-service defects were recorded on the CVOR Record. However, since June 1999, all inspections performed by an officer either on-road (Level 1 Inspection) or at a carrier's place of business (Level 5 Inspection) are now recorded on the CVOR Record. This includes "passed" inspections, as well as those with defects and defects that are out-of-service. Only inspections after June 1999, both passed and failed, are included in the calculation of a carrier's inspection violation rate noted on the CVOR System or its abstract.
Facility Audits
The results of an audit of a
carrier's compliance with safety-related legislation and regulations will be
recorded on its CVOR Record. Audits conducted at the request of the carrier
will be noted as such on the record.
Ministry Interventions and Sanctions
Ministry interventions and sanctions include disciplinary letters sent to the
carrier, interviews, audits, and sanctions of fleet limitation, seizure of
plates, suspension and/or cancellation of the carrier's operating
privileges.
How are accident points assigned to a carrier's CVOR?
The public and government expect that drivers of commercial motor vehicles are well trained and experienced professionals who strive to:
- Make allowances for the skill level or improper practices of other drivers sharing the road.
- Adjust their own driving to compensate for unusual weather, road and traffic conditions, and are not drawn into an accident by the unsafe actions of pedestrians and other drivers.
- Know when it is necessary to slow down, stop, or yield their right-of-way to avoid involvement in an accident.
- Ensure the vehicle is in safe operating condition.
Accidents are pointed based on the accident severity (property damage, personal injury or fatal injury) and impropriety (vehicle defect, driver action, driver condition) noted on the Motor Vehicle Accident Report completed by an officer. Refer to Appendix E for a sample Motor Vehicle Accident Report and Template.
Accidents where there were no impropriety or vehicle defects appear on the carrier's CVOR record but are not weighted. The zero weighting of accidents does not necessarily free the carrier from responsibility for these events. The fact that accidents occur should be seen as an indicator of the need for a comprehensive review of the carrier's Accident Prevention Program. Refer to Appendix E for an Accident Prevention Manual that may be useful in assessing accidents.
The following table assists in identifying point values assigned for accidents.
Table 1
Accident Weighting
Table
| SEVERITY | No IMPROPRIETY Factor = 0 |
One or more IMPROPRIETY No Charges Factor = 2 |
One or more IMPROPRIETY and Charge(s) Factor = 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Damage Factor = 1 |
0 | 2 | 4 |
| Personal Injury Factor = 2 |
0 | 4 | 8 |
| Fatal Injury Factor = 3 |
0 | 6 | 12 |
How are conviction points assigned to a carrier's CVOR?
Convictions are pointed as per the Conviction Code Table (See Appendix F). Safety related convictions are assigned a weighted value. Administrative related convictions appear on the CVOR record but are weighted at zero.
How are inspection points assigned to a carrier's CVOR?
Safety inspections are assigned one point for each out-of-service (oos) defect to a maximum of two out-of-service defects per vehicle unit and a maximum of eight points per inspection. The out-of-service rate is established based on the number of inspections with out-of-service defects out of total inspections conducted over a 24-month period. There is also an additional point assigned for each 10% that the carrier is above the out-of-service rate standard. The out-of-service rate standard is indicated on the second page of the carrier's CVOR Abstract. See Appendix C for a sample Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II) and alphabetical glossary. A minimum of two inspections are required to calculate the carrier's inspection violation rate.
Note: The CVOR System only considers inspections conducted after June 1, 1999.
How does the CVOR System evaluate a carrier?
The CVOR System evaluates a carrier based on the events in its CVOR Record, including accidents, driver and carrier convictions, CVSA inspections and detentions, and the results of facility audits.
The first step in evaluating a carrier is to assess its on-road performance based on three separate safety indicators. These are the carrier's:
- Accident points per vehicle per month (accident violation rate).
- Safety-related conviction points per vehicle per month (conviction violation rate).
- Points on vehicle inspections per vehicle unit inspected (inspection violation rate).
The violation rates in each category are compared against the threshold values listed in Appendix D (Table of Threshold Values) to determine the Percentage of Threshold. This is a measure of the carrier's performance in each of these categories. For an example of these calculations, see Appendix L.
The Percentage of Threshold in each category is combined in a weighted average to arrive at an Overall Percentage of Threshold. Accidents are recognized as a key indicator of road safety and are, therefore, weighted at double the severity of convictions and inspections and given more importance in the overall percentage of threshold.
How does the CVOR System trigger interventions and sanctions?
The CVOR System automatically triggers a carrier for review when poor performance is identified, based on a carrier's overall violation rate as a percentage of its overall CVOR threshold.
Predetermined intervention stages have been established at which point carrier interventions or sanctions will be considered. When one of these stages is reached, a detailed analysis is conducted by Ministry staff to verify the carrier's profile information and the appropriateness of the type of intervention being considered (warning letter, interview, audit, etc.).
Other triggering methods may be used to bring a carrier to the Ministry's attention such as significant incidents (e.g. impoundments or wheel separations, unpaid fines, or habitual non-compliance).
- The Registrar may evaluate any non-safety events that come to his/her attention and take appropriate action.
All interventions and sanctions concerning a carrier's CVOR Record are directed towards the corporate officer or senior official of the company. In this way, the individual who has control and accountability for the carrier's operation should be aware of the Ministry's concerns regarding its safety performance and will take the necessary steps to improve. This approach has proven very successful in improving carrier performance. Over 80% of carriers that are subject to an intervention improve their record to an acceptable standard.
What are sanctions?
A sanction is the most severe disciplinary measure that may result in a fleet limitation, plate seizure, or suspension or cancellation of a carrier's operating privileges. As part of the sanction process, the carrier will have an opportunity to show cause as to why the sanction should not be imposed.
Possible sanctions include the following:
| Fleet Limitation: |
A restriction on the number of commercial vehicles a carrier may operate within Ontario during the sanction period. |
| Plate Seizure: |
An order by the Registrar to seize the permit and number plates issued by jurisdictions outside Ontario from vehicles operating in Ontario for a period of time defined by the Registrar. |
| Suspension: |
A suspension of the carrier's operating privileges and/or seizure of Ontario issued plates or permits that applies to all commercial motor vehicles and trailers under the carrier's control for a period of time defined by the Registrar. |
| Cancellation: |
A cancellation is a permanent suspension of a carrier's operating privileges that applies to all commercial motor vehicles and trailers under the carrier's control. The CVOR Certificate is permanently cancelled. |
- Sanctions may also result in a carrier receiving an Unsatisfactory safety rating.
How are sanctions applied to non-compliant carriers?
Carriers that exceed 100% of their overall CVOR threshold may receive a Notice of Sanction. The corporate officer or senior official of the company is given the opportunity to show cause to the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles as to why its commercial vehicle operator privileges in Ontario should not be revoked, suspended or limited. A summary of the information that is available to the Registrar/Deputy Registrar is included with the Notice of Sanction together with the safety rating letter that the carrier receives prior to the meeting. This may include a Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II), listing of outstanding unpaid fines, incident reports and a Ministry analysis of the carrier's safety performance.
Sanctions that have been ordered may be appealed to:
Licence Appeal Tribunal
1 St. Clair
Avenue West, 12th Floor
Toronto, Ontario
M4V 1K6
Phone: 416-325-0209 or 1-800-255-2214 (within Ontario)
How does a carrier report CVOR changes/discrepancies?
Under Section 18(1) of the HTA, changes to corporate officers (officers, directors or partners), carrier name or address must be reported to the Ministry within 15 days. Changes to shareholders should also be reported.
Section 18(2) of the HTA requires that changes to fleet size or kilometres travelled must also be reported to the Registrar. A fleet size change that increases or decreases a carrier's fleet size by more than 20% must be reported within 15 days or within 15 days of receiving a request from the Registrar for this information (See Appendix B - Section 6(1) of O.Reg. 424/97). Changes to kilometres travelled must also be reported to the Registrar within 15 days of a request for this information (See Appendix B - Section 7(1) of O.Reg. 424/97). Failure to do so could result in charges being laid against the carrier.
Other changes of information should also be reported to ensure the accuracy of carrier information such as commodity carried, no longer operating, etc. A new certificate will only be issued for changes to the carrier name. All name changes require proper and legal supporting documentation.
Corporate Officers/Directors/Shareholders
If
there is a change of corporate officers, directors and/or shareholders, the
carrier must complete the "Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration
Certificate Application/Change of Information" (See
Appendix M) form and forward it to
the Ministry.
Fleet Size/Km Travelled
If there is a change
in fleet size or kilometres travelled, the carrier must complete the
"Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration Certificate Application/Change of
Information" form (See Appendix M) and forward it to the Ministry. The
information can be faxed or mailed to the
Carrier Sanctions and
Investigation Office.
Information pertaining to kilometres travelled within Ontario and double-shifted vehicles are converted to a percentage factor to adjust the carrier's fleet size to more accurately reflect the carrier's exposure on highways in Ontario. This factor is also used by the Ministry for establishing a carrier's threshold (See Appendix L for calculation of adjusted fleet size).
- Changes to your fleet size are not automatically captured through the province's Vehicle Registration System, e.g. licence plate renewal, permit purchase or deletion.
Name/Address
Changes of name or address for
individual (not corporations) can be made at your local MTO Drivers and
Vehicles Office through the Vehicle Registration System if the person making
the change owns an Ontario plated vehicle. A corporation must contact the
Licensing Administration Office at 2680 Keele Street, Downsview, Ontario M3M
1J8, or phone 416-235-2999 to change the name on vehicle permits. This will
allow the issuance of new vehicle permits. If you are not the owner of the
vehicles or the vehicles are registered in a jurisdiction other than Ontario,
please contact the Carrier
Sanctions and Investigation Office for more information.
- A new CVOR Certificate is not issued for a change of address.
What CVOR documentation must be produced at the roadside?
The CVOR Certificate identifies the carrier and contains a unique nine-digit identification number. A copy of the certificate must be carried in each commercial motor vehicle operated under the CVOR and surrendered, upon request, to an MTO Enforcement Officer or police officer for inspection purposes.
Out of Province
For a commercial motor
vehicle registered in another jurisdiction operating in Ontario and where the
carrier is not required to register for a CVOR Certificate, the motor vehicle
permit for that vehicle may be substituted for a CVOR Certificate. All vehicles
registered in Ontario, prorated into Ontario and for-hire carriers are required
to register for CVOR Certificates.
Lease/Contract
Where a lease or contract is
involved, the lease or contract must identify the vehicle and the lessee's CVOR
number. Documented proof of the lease or contract must also be carried in the
vehicle. If the vehicle is being leased for personal use only, for less than 30
days, no CVOR Certificate is required.
An Owner/Driver operating under contract with a licensed carrier is not considered to be a licensed carrier and is therefore required to obtain an Owner/Driver or Single/Source Authority. In this situation, the Owner/Driver is still required to obtain their own CVOR Certificate, but they operate under the CVOR number of their contractual employer. Threshold Values
Threshold Values
What is a carrier's threshold?
The allowable points for a given adjusted fleet size within a sliding two-year window is called a carrier's threshold (See Appendix D for the Table of Threshold Values). The overall threshold combines three individual thresholds: accident threshold, conviction threshold and inspection threshold. These individual thresholds are shown on Page 2 of the Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II) (See Appendix C).
The percentage of travel within Ontario and doubleshifting of vehicles is factored into the adjusted fleet size used to determine a carrier's threshold.
How were the performance measures in the CVOR System developed?
The Ministry analysed the on-road safety performance of a large sample of carriers operating in Ontario during the two-year period from September 1995 until October 1997. Accident rates and safety related conviction rates for each carrier were plotted and compared for carriers of varying fleet size, resulting in a standard that identifies unacceptable levels of performance. A similar standard was developed for vehicle inspection performance based on frequency of inspection.
The data showed that violation rates for accidents and convictions decline as fleet size increases, and that the violation rate for inspections also decreases with the number of vehicles inspected. Therefore, individual events have a greater impact on the safety performance of smaller operators.
Through extensive consultation with industry groups, it was agreed that the performance curve for small carriers (those with an "adjusted fleet size" of 25 commercial motor vehicles or less) would follow the curve generated by the original data set. It was also agreed to set a flat line threshold for large carriers (those with an "adjusted fleet size" of 26 commercial motor vehicles or more). These curves define an individual carrier's threshold. See Appendix D for the Table of Threshold Values.
An overall performance level or threshold was established for each carrier by weighting the accident, conviction and inspection performances in the ratios of 2:1:1. In other words, accidents are given double the weight of convictions and inspections in determining an operator's overall violation rate (performance level).
See Appendix L for the threshold formulas and sample calculations of adjusted fleet size, violation rates, and percentages of threshold.
Violation Rates
How does the CVOR System monitor violation rates?
The CVOR System calculates the carrier's violation rates for accidents and convictions based on the total number of points per vehicle per month and inspections based on points per vehicle units inspected over a 24-month moving window. These individual thresholds are combined with accidents weighted double to convictions and inspections.
As new events and points are recorded, events and points older than 24 months drop off. The formula is based on a 24-month period or the number of months since the carrier became a CVOR Certificate holder, whichever is less. The violation rate is converted to a percentage and compared to the carrier's threshold. Appropriate Ministry interventions and sanctions are triggered by the CVOR System if a carrier reaches various levels of its threshold.
- The Registrar may use discretionary power to intervene in cases not triggered by the automated system.
What may happen to a carrier with an unacceptable violation rate?
The following disciplinary interventions and sanctions will be triggered by the CVOR System when a carrier's violation rate rises to an unacceptable level. However, this does not preclude the Registrar from intervening earlier if action is considered appropriate.
Warning Letter
A warning letter is triggered
if a carrier's overall violation rate exceeds 35% of its overall
CVOR threshold.
Facility Audit
An audit is triggered if a
carrier's overall violation rate exceeds 65% of its overall CVOR
threshold. Audits may also be conducted for other reasons, such as a severe
accident or accident rate, impoundment, wheel separation or an excessive
out-of-service rate on inspections. An interview may be considered at this
stage instead of an audit.
Interview
An interview is triggered if a
carrier's overall violation rate exceeds 80% of its overall CVOR
threshold. An audit may be considered instead of an interview at this
stage.
Sanction
A review of a non-compliant carrier
is triggered if a carrier's overall violation rate reaches 100%
of its overall CVOR threshold.
- The CVOR System will normally trigger interventions and sanctions at the levels noted above. However, the Registrar may intervene at any time that is considered appropriate.
Safety Ratings will be appropriately assigned based upon these levels.
