Electronic Logging Devices (ELD)
On June 12, 2022, the Commercial Vehicle Hours of Service (HOS) Regulation will require ELDs. The farm exemption to the Regulation has not changed and farm commercial plated vehicle drivers do not need to keep an HOS logbook, but still must comply with maximum HOS cycles. Custom haulers will need to comply with the ELD changes if they drive beyond a 160 km radius.
Hours of Service (HOS) (O. Reg 555/06)
Truck drivers are limited in the amount of time behind the wheel. The HOS Regulation establishes hours of work that drivers of trucks over 4,500 kg cannot exceed. Commercial vehicle operators need to comply with daily, weekly, and bi-weekly duty hours of service limits.
Farm Exemption: A driver of a 2- or 3-axle commercial vehicle, or a 2-axle commercial vehicle with 1-axle trailer, while transporting farm products, if the driver owns, produces or harvests the products. They are also exempt while returning empty or carrying supplies and equipment used for farm production. Farmers are exempt from maintaining an HOS logbook but still must comply with maximum HOS cycles. Operators must keep a daily log for each day they do not qualify for the exemption.
There is also an exemption from keeping a log if operating within a 160 km radius of “home base”, returning to home base daily, and only working for one operator that day.
Driver Truck and Trailer Trip Inspections
All vehicles over 4,500 kg need to log daily trip inspections. An inspection is valid for 24 hours and operators need a new report every day. There is no distance exemption.
Farm exemption: a 2 or 3-axle truck, not towing a trailer, and carrying or being used to carry primary farm products, is exempt from carrying a copy of the report. Farmers are not exempt from completing the inspection itself.
Farm Plates
Farm Plates are reduced commercial fee plates for farm trucks with RGW over 3,000 kg, used for personal transportation or to haul farm products, equipment or supplies. Paid hauling on farm plates is only permitted during September, October or November. A Class G Licensed Driver may drive a D truck with farm plates. Farm plates also allow limited dangerous goods exemptions.
Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR)
All trucks over 4,500 kg, including farm-plated trucks, need a CVOR certificate. Drivers must pass the CVOR written test. A new CVOR costs $255 and yearly renewal fee is $51 (as of Feb. 2022).