Daily Trip Inspection - Pre-trip (Canada)

Scope

No motor carrier shall permit a person to drive or operate a commercial vehicle on a highway unless it is inspected as required. Drivers or, in some cases, designated inspectors, are responsible for inspecting commercial motor vehicles according to the applicable schedule. (Schedule 1, 2, 3 or 4) every 24 hours.

Regulatory citations

• National Safety Code Standard 13 — Trip Inspections

Key definitions

• Commercial Vehicle: Includes trucks, tractors, trailers, or combinations exceeding a registered gross vehicle weight of 4,500 kg. It also covers buses designed for passenger transportation (excluding personal use).
• Inspector: A person authorized to enforce federal or provincial statutes related to the Code.
• Motor Carrier: The entity responsible for operating a commercial vehicle for transporting passengers or goods.
• Motor Coach: A bus designed for intercity, suburban, commuter, or charter service, equipped with under-floor baggage storage.

Summary of requirements

NSC Standard 13 specifies minimum procedures for ensuring the vehicle is fit for operation before it is used on a highway. The standard applies to the following commercial vehicles:

• Trucks, tractors or trailers, or combinations of those vehicles exceeding a registered gross vehicle weight of 4500 kilograms; or
• Buses designed, constructed, and used for the transportation of passengers with a designated seating capacity of more than 10, including the driver, but excluding the operation for personal use.

• Schedule 1, Truck, Tractor & Trailer;
• Schedule 2, Bus;
• Schedule 3, Motor Coach (Daily); and
• Schedule 4, Motor Coach (30 Days or 12,000 kilometers).

The Schedules identify what constitutes a major or minor defect of various vehicle parts. For example, Schedule 1 contains “Fuel System” as an inspection item. Minor defects related to the fuel system include a missing fuel tank cap. Major defects include an insecure fuel tank or a dripping fuel leak.

Drivers are required to carry a copy of the applicable Schedule in the cab and present it to officers upon request. Drivers are prohibited from operating vehicles that have not been inspected within the last 24 hours.

Inspection report. Upon completion of the inspection, drivers must complete a report of the inspection, indicating any major or minor defects found, or if no defects were found, an indication that no defects were found.

The report is required to contain at least the following:

• License plate or unit number(s) of the vehicle(s);
• Motor carrier’s name;
• Date and time of inspection;
• City, town, village, or highway location where the inspection was performed;
• A statement signed by the person conducting the inspection and by the person driving the vehicle (if different than the person inspecting the vehicle) that the vehicle(s) identified on the report has(have) been inspected in accordance with applicable requirements;
• The legible printed name of the person conducting the inspection; and
• Odometer reading (if equipped).

Reporting defects. Drivers who find defects during the inspection are required to immediately report the defects to the carrier. Again, drivers are prohibited from driving a vehicle with a major defect.

Inspection en route. Drivers are required to monitor the condition of the vehicle while en route and update the inspection report as needed. Drivers must immediately report major defects to the carrier.

Report retention. Carriers must keep inspection reports for six months.

Jurisdiction regulation. Daily trip inspections, like most motor carrier safety regulations in Canada, are handled at the jurisdictional level. NSC Standard 13 is not regulation. Consult each jurisdiction’s daily trip inspection regulations for specific requirements. Jurisdiction regulations may vary from NSC Standard 13; the regulations may be more or less restrictive than the NSC Standard.