Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration (CVOR) +13Ontario · CDL · English

CVOR tracks the safety performance of truck and bus operations. A CVOR certificate is required to operate trucks with registered plated (or actual) weight over 4,500 kg and buses designed to carry 10 or more passengers. It applies to vehicles plated in Ontario, US or Mexico travelling in Ontario. Application fee is $255.

• ✓CVOR certificate is required for trucks over 4,500 kg plated/actual weight
• ✓CVOR is required for buses designed to carry 10 or more passengers
• ✓Applies to vehicles plated in Ontario, US or Mexico travelling in Ontario

The CVOR record contains carrier information (kilometric travel, violation rates, safety rating), reportable collisions, convictions, and all fleet inspections. All items remain on the record for five years from the date of the offence. If the record becomes unacceptable the ministry may warn, audit or impose sanctions including cancellation or suspension of the CVOR certificate, plates and permits.

• ✓CVOR record items remain for five years from the offence date
• ✓Unacceptable records can lead to warning letters, audits, or sanctions
• ✓Sanctions include cancellation or suspension of CVOR certificate, plates and permits

A driver negotiating a roundabout in a large vehicle may need the full width of the roadway including the central apron, a mountable portion of the centre island. The vehicle may need to occupy both lanes prior to entering.

• ✓A large vehicle may need to use the full width of the roadway including the central apron
• ✓Prior to entering the roundabout, the vehicle may need to occupy both lanes
• ✓The back wheels of the oversize vehicle can ride up on the central apron to complete the turn
• ✓Allow extra room alongside large vehicles as they may swing wide

If you are in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle approaches, continue to your intended exit and proceed beyond the traffic island before pulling over.

• ✓If in a roundabout when an emergency vehicle approaches, continue to your exit and proceed beyond the traffic island before pulling over
• ✓If you have not entered the roundabout yet, pull over to the right and wait until the emergency vehicle has passed

A white walking symbol means pedestrians may cross; a flashing or steady orange hand means they must not begin crossing. Pedestrians already crossing when the hand appears should move quickly to safety and still have the right-of-way. Where pushbuttons exist, pedestrians must press to bring on the walk signal.

• ✓A white walking symbol permits crossing; an orange hand means do not begin
• ✓Crossing pedestrians have the right-of-way over all vehicles
• ✓Pedestrians must not cross on a flashing green light or left-turn green arrow

A white walking symbol means pedestrians may cross in the direction of the signal and have right-of-way over all vehicles. A flashing or steady orange hand means do not begin to cross; those already crossing should reach a safe area quickly and still keep right-of-way.

• ✓A white walking symbol allows pedestrians to cross and gives them right-of-way
• ✓A flashing or steady orange hand means do not begin to cross
• ✓Pedestrians must not cross on a flashing green light or a left-turn green arrow

Where pushbuttons exist, pedestrians must press the button to bring on the walk signal, which gives more crossing time. An intersection pedestrian signal has crosswalks, walk/don't-walk signals, pushbuttons and traffic lights on the main road only; stop signs control the smaller crossroad.

• ✓Pedestrians must press the pushbutton to activate the walk signal where provided
• ✓Intersection pedestrian signals have traffic lights on the main road only, stop signs on the crossroad

Commercial vehicles are limited to 2.6 m (8.5 ft) width; mirrors are excluded if not extending more than 30 cm beyond the vehicle. Semi-trailers are limited to 14.65 m (48 ft) or 16.2 m (53 ft) with special requirements. No combination may exceed 23 m (75.5 ft) except qualifying double-trailer combinations. Maximum height including load is 4.15 m (13.6 ft).

• ✓Maximum width is 2.6 metres (8.5 ft)
• ✓Maximum combination length is 23 metres (75.5 ft) except qualifying doubles
• ✓Maximum height including load is 4.15 metres (13.6 ft)

You cannot operate on a highway when gross weight exceeds Part VII HTA limits. Allowable weight depends on number of axles, tire size, suspension type, axle distance, load type (aggregate/non-aggregate) and steering axle weight. The lower of several calculated figures is the maximum. Drivers, operators and shippers are all responsible and may be charged.

• ✓Cannot exceed the maximum weight permitted under Part VII of the HTA
• ✓The lower of the calculated weight figures is the maximum gross allowable weight
• ✓Drivers, operators and shippers are all responsible for vehicle weight

The best thing to do is avoid driving in fog. If caught in fog, use low-beam headlights and increase following distance. High beams reflect off moisture droplets making it harder to see.

• ✓Use low-beam headlights in fog; high beams reflect off moisture and make it harder to see
• ✓Do not stop on the travelled portion of the road — you could cause a chain-reaction collision
• ✓Increase your following distance and use the right edge of the road as a guide rather than the centre line
• ✓If fog is too dense, pull completely off the road, turn on emergency flashers and keep low-beam headlights on
• ✓Do not speed up suddenly even if fog seems to be clearing

Rain makes roads slippery, especially as the first drops fall. If going too fast or with too much water, tires may ride on top of the water — this is hydroplaning, making control very difficult.

• ✓Slow down when the road is wet and maintain good tires with deep tread to avoid hydroplaning
• ✓Leave more space between you and the vehicle ahead in rain
• ✓Avoid driving in puddles which can hide potholes, obstruct vision, or make brakes less effective
• ✓Use smooth steering, braking and accelerating to reduce the chance of skids

You overdrive your headlights when your stopping distance is farther than you can see. Glare is dazzling light that makes it hard to see. Use the correct headlight beams to reduce glare at night.

• ✓Do not overdrive your headlights — stopping distance should not exceed the distance you can see
• ✓Use low-beam headlights within 150 metres (500 ft.) of an oncoming vehicle or when following within 60 metres (200 ft.)
• ✓When meeting oncoming bright headlights, look up and beyond and slightly to the right
• ✓On country roads, switch to low beams at curves or hilltops

Avoid driving on flooded roads as water may prevent brakes from working. If you must, test your brakes afterward to dry them out.

• ✓Avoid flooded roads — water may prevent brakes from working
• ✓Test brakes afterward by stopping quickly and firmly at 50 km/h, ensuring the vehicle stops in a straight line
• ✓If pulling to one side or a spongy pedal remains after brakes are dry, take the vehicle in for repair immediately

Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic in the same direction. A solid line at the left of your lane means it is unsafe to pass; a broken line means you may pass if the way is clear and there is enough room to complete the pass safely.

• ✓Yellow lines separate opposing traffic; white lines separate same-direction traffic
• ✓A solid line on your left means no passing; a broken line means passing is allowed if clear

Pavement markings work with signs and lights to indicate direction and where you may travel. Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions; white lines separate traffic travelling in the same direction.

• ✓Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions
• ✓White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction

A solid line at the left of your lane means it is unsafe to pass. A broken line at the left means you may pass if the way is clear and there are enough broken lines ahead to complete the pass safely.

• ✓A solid line on your left means it is unsafe to pass
• ✓A broken line on your left allows passing when clear and there is room to complete it

A stop line is a single white line showing where to stop; if none, stop at the crosswalk, then sidewalk edge, then intersection edge. A crosswalk is two parallel white lines. A white arrow on a lane means you may only move in the arrow's direction. Two solid lines guide traffic away from fixed objects.

• ✓Stop at the stop line; if none, at the crosswalk, sidewalk edge, then intersection edge
• ✓A white lane arrow means you may move only in that direction
• ✓Two solid lines guide traffic away from fixed objects like bridge piers

Continuity lines (wider, closer broken lines) on your left mean your lane is ending or exiting and you must change lanes; on your right they mean your lane continues. A stop line is a single white line showing where to stop; if absent, stop at the crosswalk, then sidewalk edge, then intersection edge. Crosswalks are marked by two parallel white lines.

• ✓Continuity lines on your left mean the lane is ending; change lanes to continue
• ✓Stop at the stop line; if none, stop at the crosswalk, sidewalk edge, then intersection edge

A white arrow painted in a lane means you may move only in that direction. A pedestrian crossover has two double parallel white lines with an X in each approaching lane and overhead yellow lights — stop before the line and yield to pedestrians. Solid lines and yellow/black markings guide traffic away from fixed objects such as bridge piers.

• ✓A white lane arrow means you may travel only in that direction
• ✓At a pedestrian crossover, stop before the line and yield to pedestrians

Continuity lines are broken lines that are wider and closer together than regular broken lines. Continuity lines on your left generally mean your lane is ending or exiting and you must change lanes to continue. Continuity lines on your right mean your lane continues unaffected.

• ✓Continuity lines on your left mean your lane is ending or exiting — change lanes
• ✓Continuity lines on your right mean your lane continues unaffected

A pedestrian crossover is marked by two double parallel white lines across the road with an X in each approaching lane and overhead yellow lights. Stop before the line and yield to pedestrians.

• ✓A pedestrian crossover has double white lines, X markings and overhead yellow lights
• ✓Stop before the line and yield to pedestrians at a crossover

After the daily inspection test, exit the vehicle to safely demonstrate uncoupling and coupling a truck/tractor and trailer. The vehicle is placed in a pre-determined safe location. You perform uncoupling first, then coupling.

• ✓You must safely demonstrate both uncoupling and coupling
• ✓Uncoupling is performed first, followed by coupling
• ✓The location will be pre-determined as safe for the procedure

At an intersection without signs or lights, yield to any vehicle approaching from the right. At an all-way stop, yield to the first vehicle to stop; if two stop at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on the right. When turning left, wait for approaching traffic and pedestrians; when turning right, wait for pedestrians. A yield sign means slow or stop and yield to traffic in or on the intersecting road. When entering from a private road/driveway, yield to road vehicles and sidewalk pedestrians.

• ✓At uncontrolled intersections yield to vehicles approaching from the right
• ✓At an all-way stop, if two stop together the vehicle on the left yields to the one on the right
• ✓Yield to pedestrians when turning; when entering from a driveway yield to road traffic and pedestrians
• ✓Signalling does not give you the right-of-way - you must make sure the way is clear

You must yield the right-of-way and wait for pedestrians to completely cross the road at specially marked pedestrian crossings or crossovers, as well as at school crossings with crossing guards.

• ✓Wait for pedestrians to completely cross at crossings or crossovers before proceeding
• ✓Yield to school crossings with crossing guards

After the daily inspection test, the candidate exits the vehicle to perform the uncoupling and coupling portion, demonstrating safe uncoupling and coupling of a truck/tractor and trailer at a pre-determined safe location. Uncoupling is performed first, followed by coupling.

• ✓Must safely demonstrate uncoupling and then coupling of a truck/tractor and trailer
• ✓The vehicle is placed in a pre-determined location suitable and safe for the procedure
• ✓Uncoupling is performed first, followed by coupling

Commercial vehicle drivers must carry and surrender on demand: a valid licence of the appropriate class, vehicle/trailer registration, CVOR certificate, insurance certificate, a daily inspection report completed within 24 hours plus inspection schedule, a daily log for the day and previous 14 days, and supporting documents (fuel, toll, accommodation receipts).

• ✓Must carry valid licence, registration, CVOR certificate and insurance certificate
• ✓Must carry a daily inspection report completed within 24 hours plus the inspection schedule
• ✓Must carry a daily log for the day and previous fourteen days

Rear tires of a motor vehicle must not have less than 1.5 mm (0.06 in) of tread measured in two adjacent grooves. Front tires of a motor vehicle over 4,500 kg gross vehicle rating must have at least 3 mm (0.12 in) of tread in two adjacent grooves.

• ✓Rear tires must have at least 1.5 mm (0.06 in) of tread in two adjacent grooves
• ✓Front tires (vehicle over 4,500 kg) must have at least 3 mm (0.12 in) of tread
• ✓Tires and wheels must be installed by a certified tire installer or mechanic

Any police or ministry officer may perform a safety inspection at any time/location and may require you to drive to the nearest station. Refusing/failing to proceed to a weigh scale is an offence with fines up to $20,000 (s.124(5)) and up to 30-day licence suspension. Refusing to redistribute/remove a load or obstructing a weighing brings fines of $200 to $20,000 (s.124(6)).

• ✓Refusing to proceed to a weigh scale carries fines up to $20,000 and up to 30-day suspension
• ✓Refusing to redistribute a load or obstructing weighing carries fines of $200 to $20,000
• ✓You must assist in the inspection of the vehicle if requested

Inspect wheels, wheel fasteners and tires after new tires/wheels are installed or wheels removed for repairs. Wheel manufacturers recommend re-checking wheel fasteners between 80 km and 160 km after installation.

• ✓Re-check wheel fasteners between 80 km and 160 km after installation
• ✓Inspect wheels, fasteners and tires after new installation or removal for repairs

Free play or lash is the distance the steering wheel moves before the tires begin turning. Check with the engine on and wheels straight ahead, turning the wheel in both directions with fingers until you feel tire resistance. Excessive rotation indicates excessive free play/lash.

• ✓Check steering free play with engine on and wheels straight ahead
• ✓Excessive steering wheel rotation before tires turn indicates excessive free play or lash

A skid happens when one or more tires lose grip with the road surface, most often on slippery surfaces and usually from driving too fast for conditions. Hard braking and aggressive turning or accelerating can cause a skid.

• ✓To avoid a skid, drive at reduced speed and operate controls smoothly; make turns gently
• ✓If your vehicle skids, ease off the accelerator or brake and, on very slippery surfaces, slip the transmission into neutral if you can
• ✓Continue to steer in the direction you wish to go and be careful not to oversteer
• ✓Once control is regained, brake gently and smoothly

ABS senses wheel speed during braking and reduces brake force when a wheel is about to lock, preventing tire skid and loss of steering control. It improves safety during heavy brake use or poor traction.

• ✓ABS prevents wheel lock but does not shorten stopping distance
• ✓With ABS, press the brake pedal hard and allow the system to control wheel lock up
• ✓Do not release the pedal when you feel pulsations during emergency braking — this is normal ABS operation

Threshold braking brings you to a controlled stop in your own lane even in slippery conditions, and is generally practised in vehicles NOT equipped with ABS.

• ✓Brake as hard as possible without inducing a skid; if a wheel begins to lock, release pressure slightly and re-apply
• ✓Do not pump the brakes
• ✓Continue braking this way until you have slowed to the desired speed

Ontario has a one-piece licence with photo and signature that you must carry whenever you drive. Drivers under 80 with class A, B, C, E or F must pass a vision and knowledge test to renew, usually every five years. For air brake endorsement holders, the written air brake test aligns with the written knowledge cycle, and the practical air brake test is required only when a road test is triggered.

• ✓You must carry your licence whenever you drive and produce it for police
• ✓Class A/B/C/E/F drivers under 80 must pass vision and knowledge tests to renew, usually every five years
• ✓The practical air brake test is required only when a road test is triggered

Drivers aged 65-79 with class A-F must pass vision, knowledge and road tests after an at-fault collision or accumulation of three or more demerit points. Drivers 80 and over must pass vision, knowledge and road tests before renewing. A licence suspended, cancelled or expired for more than three years requires re-applying and meeting all graduated licensing requirements before commercial-class eligibility.

• ✓Drivers 65-79 must retest after an at-fault collision or three or more demerit points
• ✓Drivers 80+ must pass vision, knowledge and road tests before every renewal
• ✓A licence expired over three years requires full re-application including all tests

Commercial licence holders (other than class D) must pass a medical examination every one to five years depending on age; a notice and blank form arrive three months before it is due. Failing to file downgrades the licence to Class G. Reporting frequency: under 46 every five years, 46-64 every three years, 65+ every year, and class D 80+ every year.

• ✓Failure to file a required medical report downgrades your licence to Class G
• ✓Drivers under 46 report every 5 years, 46-64 every 3 years, 65+ every year
• ✓A medical notice arrives three months before the report is due

You must notify the Ministry of Transportation within six days of changing your name or address and get a new licence when your address changes (no charge). It is illegal to lend your licence, let others use it, use an altered/fictitious/another's licence, or hold more than one Ontario driver's licence.

• ✓Notify the Ministry within six days of a name or address change
• ✓It is illegal to lend, alter, or hold more than one Ontario driver's licence

Ontario has a one-piece driver's licence with photo and signature; you must carry it whenever you drive. Drivers under 80 with class A, B, C, E or F (and over 65 with class D) must pass a vision and knowledge test to renew, usually every five years. Drivers 65–79 must pass vision, knowledge and road tests after an at-fault collision or accumulating three or more demerit points. Drivers 80+ must pass vision, knowledge and road tests before renewing.

• ✓You must carry your driver's licence whenever you drive
• ✓Renewal usually occurs every five years with vision and knowledge tests
• ✓Drivers 65-79 must retest after an at-fault collision or 3+ demerit points
• ✓Drivers 80 and over must pass vision, knowledge and road tests to renew

Commercial licence holders must periodically submit satisfactory medical reports or be downgraded to Class G. Report frequency depends on age: under 46 every five years, 46–64 every three years, 65+ every year, and class D drivers 80+ every year. A notice and blank form arrive three months before it is due.

• ✓Failure to file a required medical report results in a licence downgrade to Class G
• ✓Drivers under 46 report every 5 years; 46-64 every 3 years; 65+ every year
• ✓Notice and medical form are mailed three months before the report is due

It is illegal to lend your licence, let someone else use it, use an altered or fictitious licence, use another's licence as your own, or hold more than one Ontario licence. If a licence is suspended, cancelled or expired more than three years, you must re-apply and meet all graduated licensing requirements before regaining commercial classes.

• ✓It is illegal to lend, alter, or hold more than one Ontario driver's licence
• ✓A licence expired/suspended over three years requires full re-application through graduated licensing

You must notify the Ministry of Transportation within six days of a name or address change and obtain a new licence. There is no charge for a new licence due to name/address change. A name change requires a marriage certificate, court order for adoption, or change-of-name certificate depending on the reason.

• ✓Notify the Ministry within six days of a name or address change
• ✓A new licence is required and there is no charge for name/address changes
• ✓Destroy your old licence when the new one arrives

The backing test evaluates safe control while reversing and judging vehicle position relative to surrounding objects. You perform one manoeuvre: a 90-degree alley dock (driver's side), an offset left, or an offset right. Cones mark boundaries and must not be hit. The examiner stays outside, visible, but will not coach you.

• ✓Perform one manoeuvre: 90-degree alley dock (driver's side), offset left, or offset right
• ✓Do not hit any cones; finish as straight as possible within the cones
• ✓Secure the vehicle and inform the examiner when finished

You are scored on observation, signals/horn, speed, pull-ups, and final position. Before backing you must exit to check the path; while backing use mirrors. Activate four-way flashers and sound the horn before backing. Reverse only at a walking pace.

• ✓Exit vehicle to check path before backing; use mirrors while backing
• ✓Activate four-way flashers and sound the electric horn before backing
• ✓Always reverse at a walking pace
• ✓Excessive pull-ups count as errors (initial pull-ups are not penalized)
• ✓Back as close as possible to the final position

The backing skills test evaluates safe control while reversing and judging vehicle position relative to surrounding objects. One of three manoeuvres is performed: 90-degree alley dock (driver's side), offset left, or offset right. Cones mark boundaries and must not be hit.

• ✓Perform one manoeuvre: 90-degree alley dock (driver's side), offset left, or offset right
• ✓Do not hit any cones; vehicle should be as straight as possible within the cones
• ✓Secure the vehicle and inform the examiner when finished
• ✓Examiners remain outside the vehicle and will not coach or guide you

Backing is scored on observation, signals/horn, speed, pull-ups, and final position. You must exit to check the path, use mirrors while backing, and reverse at walking pace. Excessive pull-ups count as errors.

• ✓Before backing, exit the vehicle to check its path and observe surroundings; use mirrors while backing
• ✓Activate four-way flashers and sound the electric horn before backing
• ✓Always reverse at a walking pace
• ✓Initial pull-ups are not penalized, but an excessive number counts as errors
• ✓Back the vehicle as close as possible to the final position