Appendix A:

Glossary of Terms

Abstract

A record of carrier identification and performance data.

Action Plan/Commitments

Document prepared by the carrier setting out measurable compliance related activities that a carrier agrees to undertake following a ministry intervention.

Adjusted Fleet Size

The number of commercial motor vehicles operated in Ontario by a carrier, plus any double shifted commercial motor vehicles and then reduced to account for the percentage of travel within Ontario.

Cab Card

A vehicle permit issued by a Canadian jurisdiction, which allows travel into other Canadian jurisdictions. This is considered an Ontario permit for out-of-province operators.

CAVR

Canadian Agreement on Vehicle Registration under which a province issues a cab card that enables a carrier to prorate its vehicle registration fees between the provinces which it operates.

Cancellation

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may cancel the CVOR Certificate, the number plate and plate portion of vehicle permits and operating privileges of a carrier.

Cancellation Order

Informs the carrier that the Registrar of Motor Vehicles has cancelled his/her permits and plates and/or CVOR Certificate, plate portion of permits and operating privileges.

Carrier

Also referred to as the "operator". The individual/company responsible for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle including the conduct of the driver, the carriage of goods or passengers, and the vehicle or combination of vehicles operating on Ontario's roadways.

Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II)

A detailed history of a carrier’s performance including a summary of performance over the previous 24-month period, accessible only by the carrier or an authorized agent of the carrier. Details of accidents, convictions and inspections over the previous five years are also included.

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

A commercial motor vehicle includes a truck or highway tractor with a gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4500 kg or a bus with a seating capacity for ten or more passengers. Exceptions are noted in Section 16(1) of the Highway Traffic Act.

Commercial Vehicle

Includes commercial motor vehicles and the trailers they may tow.

Commercial Vehicle Inspection Report (CVIR)

An inspection report completed by an enforcement officer or police officer of a complete mechanical inspection of a commercial vehicle (i.e. a Level 1 or Level 5 inspection). This inspection usually takes place on road, at a truck inspection station or at the carrier’s place of business. Safety defects, if any, are reported on this form.

Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) System

An automated computer system that monitors the on-road performance of all carriers utilizing Ontario roadways.

Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) Certificate

A Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR) Certificate is issued when a carrier is registered in the Ministry of Transportation CVOR System as a carrier. A copy of the certificate must be carried in each commercial motor vehicle operated under that CVOR.

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA)

Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is an international organization comprised of Canada, the US, Mexico and Puerto Rico. This agreement provides uniform vehicle inspection criteria across North America.

Competency Certificate

It is a condition for holding an operating licence that the carrier, or an employee of the carrier hold a Competency Certificate documenting that he or she has passed a qualifying examination.

Conviction

A finding of guilt on charges by a court of law.

CVOR Driver Abstract

A summary of a driver’s performance while operating commercial motor vehicles over the previous five year period including moving and non-moving violations, accidents and inspections.

Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles

The Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles appointed under the Highway Traffic Act and designated by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to act on his/her behalf.

DGTA

Dangerous Goods Transportation Act. The DGTA provides legislation for the movement of dangerous goods by commercial vehicles in Ontario and for the identification, certification and handling of dangerous goods.

Dispute

For the purposes of this document, a dispute is a written response that a carrier may file with the Registrar within 30 days of notice of a proposed carrier safety rating.

Double-Shifted

A vehicle operated by two individual drivers, who have separate shifts consisting of a minimum of 8 consecutive hours each, in a 24-hour period on a regular basis. The carrier must have sufficient drivers and supporting logs/time records to qualify for double shift status.

Event

Accidents, convictions and inspections involving commercial vehicles that are monitored by the CVOR System.

Facility Audit

A facility audit is a structured review of a carrier's books and records to determine compliance with the National Safety Code and related statutes and regulations. It includes a review of the driver and vehicle records and may include the mechanical inspection of vehicles.

Fleet Limitation

A sanction imposed by the Registrar limiting the number of commercial vehicles that a carrier may operate within Ontario during the period of a sanction. Every vehicle operated within Ontario during a fleet limitation must be accompanied by an original fleet limitation certificate issued by the Registrar.

Total Ontario Fleet Size

Total number of commercial motor vehicles normally operated by a carrier in Ontario.

HTA

Highway Traffic Act with its regulations governs such things as vehicle registration, driver licensing, vehicle equipment, vehicle safety inspection, weight, length and height of vehicles/load, security of loads, school buses, Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration, Registrar of Motor Vehicle sanctions, hours of work and retention of records.

Hours of Work

Regulated driving and on-duty hours for a driver of a commercial motor vehicle.

ICON

Integrated Court Offences Network including the Outstanding Payments Update Listing that provides a listing of unpaid fines. This is produced by the Courts, Ministry of the Attorney General.

Intervention(s)

A number of disciplinary actions that may be imposed on a carrier. These include, but are not limited to a warning letter, an interview, a facility audit, and/or a sanction.

Interview

A Registrar's intervention conducted by Ministry staff where a carrier is invited to attend and discuss their non-compliance and that may include the development of an action plan for improvement.

LAT

The Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) is a tribunal that hears carrier appeals of sanction decisions made by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. Formally known as the Licence Suspension Appeal Board (LSAB).

MVIS

(Motor Vehicle Inspection Station) - An inspection station authorized by the ministry to inspect vehicles for certification of mechanical fitness and issuance of annual inspection stickers and Safety Standards Certificates (SSC).

MVTA

Motor Vehicle Transport Act (Canada). Federal legislation governing carriers that have occasion to operate outside of Ontario.

National Safety Code

A series of safety related performance standards that are national in scope and designed to promote the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles, many of which have been incorporated into the Highway Traffic Act and its regulations.

Notice of Appeal

A notice filed by a carrier to the Licence Appeal Tribunal (LAT) to appeal a decision made by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

OHTB

Ontario Highway Transport Board is the board that oversees and issues licences to bus operators.

Operating Licence

A licence issued to operate commercial vehicles on a for-hire basis under the MVTA, TTA or PVA.

Operator

See definition of "Carrier".

Owner/Operator

A person who owns a commercial motor vehicle that sub-contracts their services to a licensed carrier.

Prorate

The allocation of vehicle registration fees to multiple jurisdictions.

PVA

Public Vehicles Act. The PVA provides legislation for the movement of for-hire buses within the province.

Public CVOR Abstract (Level I)

A one-page summary of a carrier’s performance over the previous 24-month period, accessible by the general public.

Recognized Authority

Authority granted by the Ministry that allows a carrier to test their drivers for commercial licenses.

Registrar

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles.

Safety Record

A record kept and obtained by the Registrar relating to a carrier or related carrier that is normally considered in issuing sanctions and must be considered by the Registrar in issuing a safety rating.

Sanction

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.

Team Drivers

Two drivers driving the same vehicle for a period wherein each driver drives the vehicle for a minimum of 10 hours.

Threshold

The standard measured in points per vehicle per month or in points per vehicle unit inspected against which a carrier's performance is measured. The threshold represents 100% of a carrier's allowable violation rate based on industry performance data.

TTA

Truck Transportation Act. Ontario legislation governing the licensing of for-hire carriers that carry on business within Ontario.

TIS

Truck Inspection Station

Violation Rate

Is a measure of a carrier's safety performance as compared to their threshold and expressed as a percentage of threshold.

Warning Letter

A letter that may be sent by the Registrar to a carrier when its violation rate is above an acceptable percentage of its threshold.

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