Section 8: Requirements for sleeper berth

Ontario

Hours of Service

Part III -- Shift Requirements

8. For the purposes of sections 10 and 11, a sleeper berth must,

(a) be designed to be used as sleeping accommodation;

(b) not be located in or on a trailer;

(c) be located,

(i) in the cab of the commercial motor vehicle or immediately adjacent to the cab and be securely fixed to it,

(ii) in the cargo space of the commercial motor vehicle and be separated from the remainder of the cargo space by a solid physical barrier, or

(iii) in the case of a bus, in the passenger compartment of the bus and be separated from the passenger area of the passenger compartment by a solid physical barrier that is equipped with a door that can be locked;

(d) in the case of a bus,

(i) be at least 1.9 metres long, 60 centimetres wide and 60 centimetres high,

(ii) provide privacy for the occupant, and

(iii) be equipped with a means to significantly limit the amount of light entering the area;

(e) in the case of a commercial motor vehicle other than a bus,

(i) be rectangular in shape,

(ii) be at least 1.9 metres long,

(iii) be at least 60 centimetres wide, and

(iv) be at least 60 centimetres high, measured from the top of the sleeping mattress to the highest point of the area;

(f) be constructed so that there are no impediments to ready entrance to or exit from the area;

(g) have a direct and readily accessible means of passing from it into the driver's seat or compartment;

(h) be protected against leaks and overheating from the vehicle's exhaust system;

(i) be equipped to provide adequate heating, cooling and ventilation;

(j) be reasonably sealed against dust and rain;

(k) be equipped with a mattress that is at least 10 centimetres thick and adequate bedding so that the occupant can get restful sleep; and

(l) be equipped with a means of preventing ejection of the occupant during deceleration of the commercial motor vehicle, the means being designed, installed and maintained to withstand a total force of 2,700 kilograms applied toward the front of the vehicle and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. O. Reg. 555/06, s. 8.

© King's Printer for Ontario, 2012-2021. The text is not the official version of Ontario's Highway Traffic Act or associated regulations. For official text, refer to www.ontario.ca/laws.