54 topics · Updated 2026-09-17
In Québec, drivers of heavy vehicles must wear the seat belts installed by the vehicle manufacturer. Seat belts greatly reduce deaths and injury severity in accidents by preventing drivers from hitting the steering wheel or windshield and from being thrown from the vehicle.
Drivers are prohibited from driving a heavy vehicle when impaired by alcohol or drugs. A blood alcohol level of 80 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.08) or more while impaired results in penalties under the Criminal Code and Highway Safety Code.
If you have any alcohol or drugs in your blood, you may not drive or have care/control of a bus, minibus or taxi. Violating this zero-tolerance rule leads to a 24-hour driving prohibition for such vehicles.
A blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 or more prohibits driving or having care/control of a heavy vehicle, tow truck, or vehicle requiring safety mark placards under the Regulation respecting hazardous materials. This does not apply to a passenger vehicle pulling a house/tent trailer or to a motor home.
Holding any portable electronic device while driving is illegal, regardless of use. This applies to cell phones, MP3/multimedia players, satellite radios, electronic tablets, and screens/devices displaying non-driving information, emails, or internet. It does not apply to on-duty emergency vehicle drivers.
Inattention is the cause of most injury accidents involving trucks. Fatigue is the main cause; distraction, anger, frustration, stress, alcohol, medication and drugs also contribute. Monotonous driving can cause 'highway hypnosis' — pull over to rest and take breaks every two hours if possible.
Anticipating means planning ahead based on current conditions. SCAN and OBSERVE the environment (do not fixate on one point; look ahead, sides, and mirrors). IDENTIFY dangers by reading the road and keeping space. DECIDE the best course of action. ACT by performing the right manoeuvre at the right moment.
GPS is useful but a distraction source and must be used with discernment. Program the system or enter information before leaving. Electronic log books must only be used when the vehicle is parked in a safe location.
A driver stopped to comply with signage or due to traffic (red light, traffic jam) is still considered to be driving and cannot use a hand-held electronic device. A driver who makes a safe and legal stop by the side of a road to use a device is no longer considered driving, even with the engine running.
Headrests, like seat belts, prevent injuries. Most heavy vehicles have stationary headrests, but adjustable ones should be properly adjusted before driving to avoid whiplash or neck injury in a collision.
Drivers must share the road and cooperate. A cooperative, courteous attitude makes driving easier for others and avoids reckless actions. Examples include adjusting speed to let others merge and using the right lane, reserving the left lane for passing.
The electronic device restriction does not apply to devices installed in the vehicle where only the microphone or receiver is held. This covers shortwave two-way radios that do not allow simultaneous talk (CBs or walkie-talkies).
Professional drivers must stay calm, collected and cooperative. If another road user acts aggressively, avoid needless confrontation by staying calm and obeying the rules of the road.
A flagperson directs traffic where construction or maintenance work is being carried out. They use an eight-sided sign with 'Arrêt' (Stop) on one side and 'Lentement' (Slow) on the other. You must obey the flagperson's signals just as you would obey traffic signals.
A flagperson directs traffic on roads where construction or maintenance work is being carried out. The flagperson uses an eight-sided sign displaying 'Arrêt' (Stop) on one side and 'Lentement' (Slow) on the other. Drivers must respond appropriately to each side.
Look far ahead to check whether there are any changes in traffic or if part of the road is blocked. Due to road work, a portion of highway may accommodate two-way traffic over several kilometres.
Upshifting into 2nd gear on a non-synchromesh transmission requires a specific double-clutching sequence involving neutral and precise RPM control.
For efficient shifting, each gear has a target RPM based on the example vehicle parameters. This helps determine the ideal moment to change gears using the tachometer.
To shift into a higher gear, you must reach an engine speed about 300 RPM higher than idling speed. Shifting is difficult if the difference between actual RPM and the RPM needed for the manoeuvre is lower than the RPM at idling speed.
Starting the vehicle from a stop requires proper clutch pedal control through defined positions to prevent grinding and allow smooth engagement.
To shift into higher gears, engine speed must be increased to maintain optimum torque after subtracting the RPM required for the manoeuvre.
Driver distraction plays a role in the majority of accidents. To drive safely you must constantly be on the lookout, aware of everything happening in front of and on either side of your vehicle, with special attention to blind spots and the rearview mirror.
Heavy vehicle manoeuvres such as stopping or changing lanes take longer and require greater distance than in a car, so you must look far ahead to ensure enough space to execute each manoeuvre safely and maintain control. Looking far ahead prevents being caught off guard.
Even with convex mirrors, certain road areas cannot be seen, especially blind spots. Look back at the areas behind you on right and left not covered by mirrors. Since your vehicle is bigger than others, checking blind spots for smaller vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians is critical.
Know what is happening around your vehicle at all times. Use rearview mirrors to check traffic beside and behind you at regular intervals — every 10 or 12 seconds in normal conditions and more often in problem situations. Take quick glances rather than staring, since the road ahead is constantly changing.
Other drivers do not know your plans unless you signal. Signal clearly once you are sure you can make your move safely to prevent problems and avoid accidents.
Heavy vehicle manoeuvres like stopping or changing lanes take longer and require more distance than in a car. Looking far ahead protects you from being caught off guard and helps maintain control at all times. You should scan the distance you will cover in the next 12 to 15 seconds without staring off into the distance.
Even with convex rearview mirrors, certain areas of the road cannot be seen, especially blind spots. To check blind spots, look back at the areas behind you on your right and left not covered by mirrors. Because your vehicle is larger, it is even more important to check for smaller vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.
You should know what is happening around your vehicle at all times. Use rearview mirrors to check traffic beside and behind you at regular intervals. Take quick glances shifting eyes from the road ahead to the mirror and back, and avoid staring in the mirror too long because the situation ahead constantly changes.
Other drivers do not know your plans unless you tell them. Signal intentions clearly once you are sure you can make the move safely. When turning, signal as soon as other drivers will not mistake your intentions, leave signals on until the manoeuvre is complete, and start signalling before slowing down (unless slowing so far in advance would confuse others).
Looking far ahead does not mean ignoring what is happening closer. Keep an eye on traffic flow and vehicles about to merge, change lanes or turn. Anticipating events in advance lets you adjust speed and avoid abrupt braking.
Rearview mirrors let you quickly see an overheating or burning tire, and on some vehicles allow you to check the semi-trailer and cargo to make sure it is well secured. Convex mirrors distort distance and size, so keep this in mind when changing directions.
Signal a turn as soon as possible so other drivers can make allowance and avoid getting in your way. Turn signals on as soon as you can be sure others won't mistake your intentions, leave them on until the manoeuvre is complete. Start signalling before slowing down unless doing so far in advance could confuse others.
Signal your intention to change lanes well in advance, make the usual checks, then move gradually into the adjacent lane. Brake lights warn others when slowing or stopping — pay close attention to other vehicles and avoid abrupt or frequent stops.
Looking far ahead does not mean ignoring what is happening closer to you. You must keep an eye on traffic flow and on vehicles about to merge, change lanes or turn. By anticipating events in advance you can perform manoeuvres, adjust speed and avoid braking abruptly.
Rearview mirrors also let you quickly spot an overheating or burning tire and check your semi-trailer and cargo. Most heavy vehicles have convex rearview mirrors that provide a wide-angle view but make everything look smaller and farther away.
If you confirm you have a flat tire, you are legally required to stop operating your vehicle until the tire is repaired or replaced. Do not continue driving on a flat.
A flat in a front tire, or in a rear tire on a single-wheeled (wide-tread) vehicle, can cause loss of control. When a front tire goes flat, the vehicle veers toward the damaged side. A flat rear tire usually makes the vehicle unstable. You must compensate for the imbalance to bring the vehicle to a safe stop.
A flat tire on a dual-wheeled semi-trailer may have very little impact on driving because the vehicle still maintains its stability. However, the extra weight transferred to the other wheel may damage it. A blowout on one of the tractor's rear tires may cause the rear end of the tractor to vibrate.
A flat in a front tire or in a rear tire on a single-wheeled (wide-tread) vehicle can cause loss of control. A flat front tire makes the vehicle veer toward the damaged side. A flat rear tire makes the vehicle unstable. You must adjust your driving to compensate for the imbalance and reach a safe stop.
A flat tire on a dual-wheeled semi-trailer usually has little impact on driving because the vehicle maintains stability. However, extra weight transferred to the remaining wheel may damage it. A blowout on one of the tractor's rear tires may cause the rear end of the tractor to vibrate.
Besides noise or vibration, the best way to determine whether you have a flat tire is to pull over and check for yourself. If you have a flat, you must stop operating the vehicle until the tire is repaired or replaced.
The Cargo Securement Standards Regulation establishes general standards applying to all types of cargo for road vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 4,500 kg or more. Certain vehicles and cargo types are exempt if they meet specific conditions.
Cargo must be firmly secured or immobilized inside the transporting vehicle. The tiedown system must meet performance criteria to counteract forces applied to the cargo during transport.
Cargo may be secured by various means, and their use must be appropriate to the cargo's dimensions, shape and resistance. All components must be in proper working order.
Drivers must check the cargo and tiedown system and make appropriate adjustments before setting out and at various moments during the trip, with certain exemptions.
When an article is blocked or immobilized by a front end structure, bulkhead, another immobilized article or another device preventing forward shifting, the number of tiedowns depends on length regardless of mass.
When an article is NOT blocked or immobilized by a front end structure, blocking system or another properly secured article, tiedown requirements are based on mass and length.
All tiedowns used under the Regulation must bear the manufacturer's certification of their Working Load Limit. The WLL is the maximum load the manufacturer assigns for normal use.
The sum of all tiedown WLLs used to secure cargo is the total WLL, which must meet a minimum percentage of the cargo's mass.
Cargo in closed vehicles must be distributed to fill available space and be immobilized; flatbed cargo must be secured with tiedowns.
Cargo must be firmly secured or immobilized inside the transporting vehicle. The tiedown system must meet performance criteria to counteract front, rear, lateral and vertical forces resulting from driver manoeuvres, road geometry, road surface conditions and wind.
Cargo may be secured or immobilized by structures of adequate strength, blocking systems, bracing, dunnage or dunnage bags, shoring bars, tiedowns, friction mats, or a combination of these.
Drivers must check the cargo and tiedown system and make appropriate adjustments before setting out and at various moments thereafter. Drivers are not required to inspect cargo that is inaccessible or sealed in a vehicle when instructed not to open the vehicle.
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