Ontario takes road safety very seriously and uses a variety of methods to make sure all road users can get themselves and their goods to their intended destination safely. Learn more about the safety requirements for commercial motor vehicles operating in Ontario.
Annual Inspections: Personal-Use Pickup Trucks and Trailers
- As of July 1, 2019, pickup trucks and trailers for personal use were made exempt from the requirement for an annual inspection — both the inspection and displaying the yellow sticker.
Commercial vehicle safety
A commercial motor vehicle is:
- a truck or highway tractor with a gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4,500 kilograms (kg)
OR - a bus with a seating capacity for ten or more passengers
Compliance with commercial vehicle regulations is enforced on-road by Ministry of Transportation enforcement officers and police officers, as well as through facility audits.
Ministry officers and police conduct inspections on commercial vehicles to make sure they are being operated safely by qualified drivers. Where a commercial motor vehicle or trailer is found to be in such an unsafe condition that it endangers other people on the highway, the vehicle may be prohibited from operating until required repairs are made.
Commercial vehicle drivers and companies that fail to comply with many of these requirements may be fined up to $20,000.
Commercial motor vehicle impoundment program
Under Ontario’s commercial motor vehicle impoundment program, critically defective commercial vehicles are impounded for a minimum of 15 days. If one or more critical defects are found on a bus, truck or trailer, an officer will remove the plates and inspection stickers from the vehicle and impound it.
Wheel separation
Wheel separation involving commercial motor vehicles is closely monitored and action is taken when operators are involved in these serious offences. The following measures have been introduced to reduce wheel separation or wheel-offs for commercial vehicles:
- daily inspection requirements for drivers and operators
- an absolute liability law for wheel separations
- specialized training for technicians involved with wheel installations
- increased on-road inspections from ministry enforcement officers and specially trained police officers
- fines for wheel separations ranging from $2,000-$50,000
Truck speed limiters
By law, most large trucks driven in Ontario and Quebec are required to use electronic speed limiters that cap their speed at 105 km/h. This applies to commercial motor vehicles that:
- were built after December 31, 1994
- are equipped with an electronic control module
AND - have a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 11,794 kg or more.
Exemptions apply only to a limited number of vehicle types, such as ambulances or fire trucks.
Commercial Vehicle Operator's Safety Manual, Module 5 – Ontario-Specific Enforcement Issues
Safety inspections
Periodic inspections are required for commercial motor vehicles, trailers and converter dollies. These inspections help reduce collisions caused by mechanical defects and improve highway safety throughout Canada.
There are three safety inspections:
- annual
- semi-annual
- safety standard certificates
The annual and semi-annual inspection requirements are the minimum requirement under the law. You may find that additional inspections and maintenance are required to properly maintain your vehicle's on-road standards.
Inspection criteria
Ontario, along with most Canadian provinces and territories, has adopted the National Safety Code 11, Part B, Periodic Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections (NSC 11B) as the inspection criteria for annual, semi-annual and safety standards certificate inspections for commercial vehicles, school-purposes vehicles and accessible vehicles.
The Highway Traffic Act Regulation 611 contains the requirements for these inspections, along with modifications to the NSC 11B (schedules 3).
Annual, semi-annual and safety standards certificate inspections must be completed by a licensed motor vehicle inspection mechanic at an MTO-licensed inspection station
Safety standards certificates inspection
Safety standards certificates are required for:
- registering a rebuilt motor vehicle
- transferring a used motor vehicle to a new owner as fit
- registering a motor vehicle in Ontario that was previously registered in another province or country
- changing the status of a vehicle from unfit to fit
If a vehicle meets all of the requirements of a safety standards certificate inspection, the certificate is issued and the vehicle is deemed fit.
Annual and semi-annual inspections
Mobile cranes and concrete pumps will require an annual inspection at a licenced motor vehicle inspection station:
- Mobile cranes and concrete pumps must display a valid annual inspection sticker by July 1, 2021.
An annual inspection is valid for 12 months.
Trucks, trailers and converter dollies, alone or in combination, with a total gross weight, registered gross weight or manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of more than 4,500 kg require an annual inspection.
- Total gross weight: the weight transmitted to the highway by the truck and/or trailer - includes the driver, passenger, fuel, equipment, tools, cargo, etc. carried by the truck and/or trailer
- Registered gross weight (RGW): the maximum weight based on the fees paid for the truck licence plates - indicated in kilograms on the right (plate) portion of a truck's ownership next to "REG. GROSS WT." (trailers and converter dollies do not have a RGW)
- Manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR): the maximum weight a truck is safely capable of weighing as declared by the manufacturer - indicated on the vehicle's vehicle identification number (VIN) plate
Buses, school purposes vehicles used for transporting six or more persons, and accessible vehicles require inspections semi-annually (i.e. every six months).
A vehicle with a seating capacity for 10 or more passengers (not including the driver) is considered a bus. This can include large passenger vans, limousines, as well as vehicles commonly known as a bus.
A bus with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 4500 kg or less and used for personal use is exempt from the semi-annual inspection requirement.
If a bus, school purposes vehicle or accessible vehicle meets all of the semi-annual inspection requirements, an orange sticker is applied to the vehicle and a certificate and report are issued by the inspecting station.
What an inspection covers
The following components are thoroughly inspected to check that they comply with the National Safety Standard and applicable legislation:
- power train
- suspension hydraulic brake system
- brakes
- steering
- instruments and auxiliary equipment
- lamps
- electrical system
- body
- tires and wheels
- couplers and hitches
Failed inspections
If your vehicle doesn't pass an inspection, you will be required to repair it and have it re-inspected. You don't need to repair the vehicle at the facility you had it inspected at.
You can request a free re-inspection within 10 days if you return the repaired vehicle to the same inspection station. Extra charges may apply if you need to have the brakes re-inspected.
Daily (pre-trip) inspections
The purpose of the daily vehicle inspection is to ensure that problems and defects have been identified before the vehicle is operated on the highway. Inspections prevent the operation of a vehicle with problems that are likely to cause or contribute to the severity of an accident.
HTA Regulation 199/07 contain the requirements for daily (pre-trip or "circle check") inspections that must be completed within 24 hours before driving.
Vehicles that require daily inspections
- trucks, trailers and converter dollies, on their own or in combination, with a total gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4,500 kg
- buses designed to transport 10 or more passengers, and any trailer towed by one of these vehicles
- accessible buses modified to be used to transport persons with disabilities, if not being used for personal purposes only, and every trailer towed by one of these vehicles
- school-purposes vehicles and buses operating under contract with a school board or other authority in charge of a school being used for the transportation of 6 or more children or adults with a developmental disability
How daily inspections work
- the vehicle is inspected before it is driven
- the inspection is conducted with the use of a schedule listing the vehicle components and systems that require inspection
- an inspection report is completed
- the inspection and report are valid for 24 hours
- the driver carries the inspection schedule and report in the vehicle
- the driver records on the report any defects found while en route and at the end of the trip or day
- the driver reports defects to the operator at the time they are discovered - the operator must repair the defect immediately, or before the next dispatch, and keep records of repair
How to complete a daily inspection:
You may choose an inspection procedure (circle procedure or walk-around) that best suits your vehicle and its location. No matter which order of items you choose, you must inspect each item on the applicable inspection schedule.
You must record any defects you discover on the inspection report and notify the operator about them. You must carry and produce an inspection schedule based on your vehicle, as well as a corresponding valid inspection report.
- if you find no defect on the vehicle, as defined in the inspection schedule, then "no defect" is recorded, and the inspection is valid for 24 hours.
- if you find a "minor" defect on the vehicle, as defined in the inspection schedule, the defect must be recorded and reported to the operator as soon as possible. The operator is required to repair any defects that do not meet the performance standards. The inspection is valid for 24 hours.
- If you find a major defect on the vehicle, as defined in the inspection schedule, the vehicle cannot be operated. You must record the defect, report it to the operator immediately, and the vehicle must be repaired prior to being driven.
If a defect as defined in the inspection schedule is identified after the inspection is completed, the defect must also be recorded and reported to the operator. Should the identified defect be a major defect, you must stop operating the vehicle until it is repaired.
Commercial Vehicle Operator's Safety Manual, Module 8: Preventative Maintenance, Record-Keeping and Vehicle Files
Hours of service
Ontario's hours-of-service regulation governs the maximum driving times and minimum off-duty times of commercial vehicle drivers (bus and truck) who require a Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR). They are based on the National Safety Security Code Standard 9.
Drivers must:
- keep records of their daily driving and other work activities in a set format
- provide these records to enforcement officials upon request
The regulation contains three basic requirements:
Daily requirement
A driver:
- must have 10 hours off-duty in a day
- cannot drive more than 13 hours in a day
- cannot drive after 14 hours on-duty in a day
Mandatory off-duty time
After a period of at least 8 hours off-duty, a driver cannot:
- drive more than 13 hours
- drive after having been on-duty for 14 hours
- drive after 16 hours has elapsed
Cycle requirement
- an operator shall designate a cycle for the driver to follow
- in a period of 7 consecutive days, a driver cannot drive after having been on-duty for 70 hours
- in a period of 14 consecutive days, a driver cannot drive after having been on-duty for 120 hours
Commercial Vehicle Operator's Safety Manual, Module 9: Hours of Service
Regulation on Hours of Service and NSC standard
Dangerous goods
The Ontario Dangerous Goods Transportation Act adopts the federal regulations made under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act to ensure consistency and harmonization across North America.
Generally speaking, most loads of dangerous goods being transported must meet 5 basic requirements:
- the load must be accompanied by a shipping document, which includes specific information including an emergency phone number
- the small containers must display the safety marks to ensure the safety of the people handling the products
- the vehicle may be required to display the safety marks to ensure the safety of first responders at an incident
- the driver must be a trained person or under the direct supervision of a trained person
- the dangerous goods must be transported in a "proper" container, which must be closed, secured and maintained so that, under normal conditions of transport, there will be no accidental release of dangerous goods that could endanger public safety
Commercial Vehicle Operator's Safety Manual, Module 10: Dangerous Goods
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations
Cargo securement
Security of loads on vehicles is a matter of public safety, and is therefore subject to government regulation and a body of industry practice. Regulation 363/04 "Security of Loads" adopts Canada's National Safety Code 10 Cargo Securement published by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA). The standard is based on consultations with all provinces, territories and Transport Canada.
You must ensure a load does not fall or become dislodged from the vehicle.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Safety Manual, Module 14: Cargo Securement
Regulation 363/04 Security of Loads
National Safety Code Standard 10 Cargo Securement
Annual Inspections: Personal-Use Pickup Trucks and Trailers
As of July 1, 2019, pickup trucks and trailers for personal use were made exempt from the requirement for an annual inspection — both the inspection and displaying the yellow sticker.
Changes Regarding Personal-Use Pickup Trucks and Trailer
What Changed?
- Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections)
- Ontario Regulation 424/97 (Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Information)
- Ontario Regulation 199/07 (Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections)
- Ontario Regulation 555/06 (Hours of Service)
- Ontario Regulation 340/94 (Driver’s Licenses)
Regulation 611 (Safety Inspections): Personal-Use Pickup Trucks and Trailers
As of July 1, 2019, pickup trucks and trailers for personal use were made exempt from the requirement for an annual inspection — both the inspection and displaying the yellow sticker.
- The pickup truck and trailer are being used for personal use without compensation; AND
- The pickup truck and trailer are NOT carrying commercial tools or cargo, or equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes.
For the exemption to apply, the pickup truck must:
- Have a manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 6,500 kg or less AND
- Be fitted with either the original, unmodified box that was installed by the manufacturer or an unmodified replacement box that duplicates the one originally installed by the manufacturer.
- For consistency and clarity, as of July 1, 2019, the weight threshold for other exemptions granted to personal-use pickup trucks under the Highway Traffic Act related to CVOR, daily inspections, hours of service and class of driver’s licence for towed house trailers were changed from 6,000 kg GVWR to 6,500 kg GVWR.
Frequently-asked questions
Question 1: Do my pickup truck and trailer require annual inspections/ yellow stickers?
Answer 1: Annual inspections/yellow stickers are required if:
- the registered gross weight (indicated on the vehicle ownership) of the pickup truck exceeds 4,500 kg; or
- the gross (actual) combined weight of the pickup truck and trailer (either empty or when loaded) exceeds 4,500 kg; or
- the combined manufacturer’s GVWR of the pickup truck and trailer exceeds 4,500 kg.
- NOTE: GVWR is the maximum operating weight as specified by the manufacturer (e.g.: indicated on the compliance label inside the driver’s door).
GVWR - Compliance Label
Registered Gross Weight - Vehicle Ownership
There are, however, personal-use exemptions if the following conditions are met:
- The pickup truck has a GVWR of 6,500 kg or less; AND
- The pickup truck is fitted with the original, unmodified box that was installed by the manufacturer or an unmodified replacement box that duplicates the one originally installed by the manufacturer; AND
- The pickup truck and trailer are being used for personal use without compensation; AND
- Neither the pickup truck nor the trailer is carrying commercial tools or cargo, or equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes.
If all these conditions are met, neither the pickup truck nor the trailer require annual inspections/yellow stickers.
Question 2: My pickup truck has a manufacturer’s GVWR greater than 6,500 kg – can I still claim the personal-use exemption?
Answer 2: No. The personal-use exemption ONLY applies for pickup trucks with a GVWR of 6,500 kg or LESS.
Question 3: I have modified my pickup truck and removed the original box provided by the manufacturer (e.g. replaced the box with a flat deck) – can I still claim the personal-use exemption?
Answer 3: No. Only pickup trucks with a GVWR of 6,500 kg or less AND fitted with the original unmodified box that was installed by the manufacturer or an unmodified replacement box that duplicates the one originally installed by the manufacturer, (provided it is not carrying commercial tools or cargo or equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes) qualify for the exemption.
Question 4. Is equipment mounted inside the bed of the pickup truck (e.g. fifth-wheel, goose neck hitch; auxiliary fuel tanks, sliding deck etc.) considered a modification preventing me from being able to claim the personal-use exemption?
Answer 4: No. Equipment mounted inside the original box that was installed by the manufacturer or a replacement box that duplicates the one originally installed by the manufacturer is not considered a modification that would prevent you from claiming the personal-use exemption – provided all other conditions are met (i.e.: personal use, GVWR 6,500 kg or less, not carrying commercial tools or cargo or equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes in either the truck or the trailer).
Question 5: I use my pickup truck for commercial purposes sometimes (e.g. during the week) and then I use it for personal use on the weekends to tow my trailer (e.g. boat, 4-wheeler etc.) – does it require an annual inspection/ yellow sticker?
Answer 5: If, while the pickup truck is being used for commercial purposes, it meets any of the following criteria, it requires an annual inspection/ yellow sticker:
- Registered gross weight of the pickup truck exceeds 4,500 kg
- Gross (actual) weight of the pickup truck or truck/trailer combination empty or loaded exceeds 4,500 kg
- GVWR of the pickup truck or combined GVWR of truck and trailer exceeds 4,500 kg.
If you use that same pickup truck to tow your personal-use trailer on the weekend, the pickup truck will display the annual inspection sticker – but the trailer will be exempt – provided neither the pickup truck nor the trailer is carrying commercial tools or cargo or equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes and the other exemption criteria is met (i.e. pickup truck original or replacement box, GVWR of the pickup truck is 6,500 kg or less).
Questions?
Contact cvor@ontario.ca or
1-800-387-7736 (within Ontario) or 1-416-246-7166
