Commercial vehicle maintenance - Alberta

Application

A carrier must establish a written, regularly scheduled maintenance and inspection program for its commercial vehicles.

For carrier with federal operating status, a commercial vehicle is a:

Maintenance and Inspection Program

A carrier (or an owner of a commercial vehicle who is not a carrier) must prepare and carry out a maintenance and inspection program. The program must be in writing and provide for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of commercial vehicles according to the applicable Schedules in Alberta’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation 121/2009, the pre-trip inspection and motor coach under-vehicle inspection requirements (as applicable), and the annual vehicle inspection requirements.

A copy of the program must be kept at the carrier’s principal place of business and at each location where maintenance and inspection activities are performed. The program must be available to employees who perform such activities.

Requirements

A carrier may not operate commercial vehicles unless the vehicles meet the requirements in:

• Schedule 2 of Alberta’s Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation 121/2009 (Schedule 2 lists various vehicle components and associated standards that each component must meet);
• Alberta’s Vehicle Equipment Regulation; and
• The federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Motor Vehicle Safety Act Regulations.

Correcting Defects

If repairs are required during regular maintenance, the replacement parts must be appropriate for the repair, in working condition, and installed accordingly.

Recordkeeping

A carrier must maintain the following records on each commercial vehicle used in the carrier’s business:

• Vehicle identification information, including the unit number, manufacturer’s serial number or similar markings, vehicle make and year; and
• Records of vehicle inspections, repairs, lubrications, and maintenance, including but not limited to, the type of inspection or servicing performed on the vehicle, the date and odometer/hubodometer reading at the time of service, evidence of manufacturer recalls and servicing done to correct the recalled item(s), and trip inspection reports.

Records are to be kept by the carrier for the current calendar year and the previous four calendar years or for six months after the vehicle has been sold, destroyed, or returned to the lessor.

Law

Traffic Safety Act

Regulation

Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation, 121/2009