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Drivers in both the United States and Canada must conduct daily vehicle inspections to ensure their commercial motor vehicles are safe for operation. When crossing international borders, drivers need to be aware of the daily vehicle inspection regulations of the country in which they’re operating.
Scope
The U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Canadian jurisdictions observe reciprocity on daily vehicle inspections and daily vehicle inspection reports, with some conditions.
Regulatory citations
- 49 CFR 396.11 — Driver vehicle inspection reports (requirements regarding trip inspection)
- National Safety Code Standard 13, Trip Inspections
Key definitions
- Commercial motor vehicle (U.S.). A vehicle used on a highway, in interstate commerce, that meets any one of the following criteria:
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) or gross combination weight rating (GCWR), or gross vehicle weight (GVW) or gross combination weight (GCW) of 10,001 pounds or more, whichever is greater;
- Is designed to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation;
- Is designed to transport 16 or more people including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
- Is transporting hazardous materials in quantities requiring the vehicle to be placarded.
- Commercial motor vehicle (Canada). A vehicle that is a:
- Truck, tractor or trailer, or combination of those vehicles exceeding a registered gross vehicle weight of 4500 kilograms; or
- Bus 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.
Summary of requirements
U.S. reciprocity. The FMCSA accepts daily trip inspection reports by drivers of Canadian-plated vehicles as fully compliant with 49 CFR 396.11, Driver vehicle inspection reports (requirements regarding trip inspection).
Canadian reciprocity. Drivers operating U.S.-plated vehicles and performing pre- and post-trip inspections in accordance with U.S. trip inspection regulations in 49 CFR Part 396 and who carry and produce at roadside the post-trip inspection report from the previous day will be deemed to have met the trip inspection requirements while in Canada.
The post-trip inspection report must be no more than 24 hours old; if a U.S.-based driver does not have access to the vehicle’s previous post-trip inspection report, the driver will be expected to prepare and produce a report as per 49 CFR 396.11 for the purpose of Canadian operations.
The FMCSA’s no-defect DVIR allowance in 49 CFR 396.11(a)(2)(i) does not extend into Canada.
U.S. Drivers operating into Canada must carry a DVIR, defects or no defects.
See Pre-trip inspections (Canada) and Driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIRs) for more information on this topic.