Compliance – Carrier Safety Rating (Canada)

Scope

The NSC Carrier Safety Rating is issued by the provincial or territorial government department in which the vehicle is registered. It is mandatory for all commercial carriers to have a NSC Safety Fitness Certificate, which shows that the carrier meets the minimum standards of carrier fitness, along with the carrier’s safety rating. This certificate is recognized across Canada and is a prerequisite to getting commercial vehicle registration in some jurisdictions.

Regulatory citations

• Motor Vehicle Transport Act (MVTA)
• Motor Carrier Safety Fitness Certificate Regulations
• Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulations
• National Safety Code (NSC) Standards

Key definitions

• National Safety Code (NSC): A set of 16 standards developed by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) to ensure road safety and facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across Canada. The NSC is often the basis for motor carrier regulations in each Canadian jurisdiction.
• Safety fitness certificate: A credential issued by a Canadian jurisdiction as the motor carrier’s “safety authority” to operate in that jurisdiction and throughout Canada. In some jurisdictions, the safety fitness certificate is also referred to as the National Safety Code Number or the Commercial Vehicle Operator Registration (CVOR).

Summary of requirements

The NSC Carrier Safety Rating is based on various factors, such as the carrier’s accident record, contraventions, vehicle inspections, and audit results. There are five different safety ratings: Excellent, Satisfactory, Satisfactory-Unaudited, Conditional, and Unsatisfactory.

The rating reflects the carrier’s level of compliance with the NSC standards and their potential risk to road safety. The rating can also affect the carrier’s eligibility for certain programs, such as the Premium Carrier Program in British Columbia or the Partners in Compliance (PIC) program in Alberta.

The NSC Carrier Safety Rating is a useful tool for carriers to monitor and improve their safety performance, as well as for regulators to enforce and promote road safety. Carriers can access their carrier profile online. They can also request a summary or a detailed report of their profile, which contains information such as their NSC number, incorporation number, driver licence number, NSC score, and audit history.

A carrier can appeal their safety rating if they disagree with the rating assigned by the provincial or territorial authority. The appeal process may vary depending on the jurisdiction, but generally, the carrier must submit a written request for a review within a specified time frame and provide evidence to support their claim. The authority will then review the request and make a decision based on the NSC standards and the carrier’s safety performance.