Marc's Safety Corner BigRoad

The hours-of-service rules are quite different for property-carrying vehicles compared to passenger-carrying drivers in the United States. Here is an infographic that summarizes the key differences, while complete regulation outline can be found here. 

I came across a matter with a client that highlights the confusion for specialty motor carriers operating commercial motor vehicles in the trucking marketplace. Specifically, this client was having significant issues complying with hours of service based on the type of vehicles deployed.

Dear Marc,

For Ontario drivers that start at 9:00 PM nightly and finish at 10:00 AM the next day, do they have to complete another DVIR at midnight?

Question submitted from Chargo Trucking, Ontario

Dear Marc,

I am starting work for a new motor carrier. What is the best way to present my prior 7 days records of duty status?

The scope of damage projected by Hurricane Florence has resulted in 11 States now waiving trucking regulations ahead of the landfall. This includes Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware, along with D.C.

Dear Marc, I used to work at a company that used the 24-hour Restart under the Oilfield Exemption rule even when not transporting oil. Can oilfield companies operate under the Oilfield Exemption rule even when not hauling oil commodities, like shingles, hay, coils and other? Thanks for your insight!

Dear Marc,

We have been notified by DOT inspectors in Northern Ontario that we are required to have the trailer plate number in the top of our Elog and not only in the inspection portion. We received a warning and were told that the next time it will be a $385.00 fine. Would you be able to please clarify?

Scroll further for U.S. requirements.

Download this eBook that will help you view the ELD mandate with a new and positive perspective. Learn about the challenges facing the industry, violations, consequences, and more! 

We are demystifying how a Facility Audit is managed in Ontario and, more specifically, how the vehicle preventative maintenance (PM) profile is scored. 

As a former DOT Auditor, I can attest to the fact that being selected for a Compliance Review (C.R.) is not always the most pleasant of experiences for a motor carrier. That being said a C.R. of a motor carrier’s safety program records could be relatively issue free if the motor carrier’s management team and staff understand the regulations that they are subject to, and what records an Auditor will expects to review during the C.R.

With the ELD mandate in full effect in the United States, the Government of Canada has unveiled a draft of its own ELD plan north of the 49th parallel. As you will note below, the proposed regulations on electronic logging devices has a number of similarities with the U.S. mandate in terms of the overall purpose and specifications.

For specifics, please click here.

Much like the case with the U.S. ELD rules, the electronic logging regulations in Canada will apply to federally regulated motor carriers and commercial drivers of trucks and buses.

Some provincial jurisdiction may adopt the federal rules by reference, or may elect to follow the strategy of some U.S. States by adopting an ELD mandate at a later date. No further information is known on such timelines at time of writing.

Transport Canada announced the new regulations on December 18, 2017, which coincidentally occurred on the same day that ELD compliance formally came into effect in the U.S. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has also allowed a phased in compliance based on specific circumstances.