Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration (CVOR)

The CVOR system tracks the on-road safety performance of the following vehicles:

• Trucks that have a gross weight or registered gross weight over 4,500 kg (9,920 lb) and
• Buses that have a seating capacity of ten or more passengers.

The goal of the CVOR system is to improve road safety for all users of Ontario highways by having an effective monitoring and intervention system for all carriers. Poor performance may result in the loss of privileges to operate commercial motor vehicles.

Vehicles that require a CVOR

A CVOR certificate is required for commercial vehicles travelling in Ontario that are:

• Plated in Ontario,
• Plated in the USA, or
• Plated in Mexico.

Vehicles that are plated in other Canadian provinces or territories (not Ontario) do not need a CVOR certificate. They require a safety fitness certificate from the province or territory in which the vehicle is plated.

Note: For-hire operators of buses, including motor coaches and school/school purpose vehicles, may also require an operating authority under the Public Vehicles Act and Motor Vehicle Transport Act. Contact the Ontario Highway Transport Board at (416) 326-6732 for more information.

Exemptions

Carriers that operate certain types of vehicles do not need a CVOR certificate. These vehicles include:

• A truck or bus that is plated in another Canadian jurisdiction
• A truck with a registered gross weight and a gross weight of 4,500 kg or less provided any trailer being towed does not transmit more than 2,800 kg of weight to the highway.
• A truck or bus leased by an individual for 30 days or less to move their personal goods, or to carry passengers at no fare
• An ambulance, fire apparatus, hearse, casket wagon, mobile crane or tow truck
• A truck or bus operating under the authority of a dealer plate or an in-transit permit
• A bus used for personal purposes without compensation
• A motor home used for personal purposes
• A pickup truck used for personal purposes

Note: For current exemptions, please refer to the Highway Traffic Act online at www.e‑laws.gov.on.ca.

CVOR responsibilities

A CVOR operator (carrier) is the person who is responsible for the operation of a commercial motor vehicle. The carrier is responsible for:

• The conduct of the driver
• The mechanical safety condition of the vehicle, and
• The shipping of goods or passengers in the vehicle.

The carrier does not necessarily need to be the vehicle owner, but must hold a valid CVOR certificate when using vehicles that are leased or contracted.

Carriers are responsible for all the drivers and vehicles in their operation. For example, these responsibilities include:

• Employing qualified and licensed drivers;
• Monitoring the safety performance of drivers, including hours of service;
• Resolving driver safety issues when they are identified;
• Keeping vehicles in good, safe condition at all times;
• Ensuring load security
• Ensuring daily and annual/semi-annual inspections are completed;
• Keeping records on file (e.g. vehicle repairs, kilometres travelled per year, annual inspection reports, etc.); and
• Notifying the Ministry of changes such as name, address, telephone numbers, fleet data, kilometric travel, and changes in corporate officers, etc.

Applying for a CVOR certificate

To apply for a CVOR Certificate, a carrier must complete a "Commercial Vehicle Operator's Registration Certificate Application" form and pay the required fee. Carriers can get this form from: CVOR Application Forms and Guides.

The application requests information about the carrier such as the type of operation, corporate officers, directors and partners, fleet size, kilometres travelled, and authorized signature. Additional documentation may be required for new applicants (e.g. corporate papers).

After the Ministry receives the completed application and processes it, the CVOR certificate will be mailed to the carrier. The carrier must put a photocopy of the certificate in each of the trucks and buses operating under that CVOR certificate.