MTO trip inspections required every 24 hours for all Commercial Motor Vehicles

The MTO requires that all Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) (according to their official definition) are required to complete a formal circle check of their vehicles (and attached trailers) every 24 hours. For this purpose, the MTO defines a Commercial Motor Vehicle as a truck or tractor with a registered gross weight or an "actual weight" of more than 4,500 kg (9,920 lbs.). "Actual weight" means the weight of the truck or tractor only, which may include weight transferred to it by an attached trailer.
     Details are set out in Regulation 575, which explains that "no person shall drive a CMV unless the person has inspected the CMV within the previous 24 hours."

     Upon completion of the inspection, the inspector must fill out a simple inspection report stating:

• the motor vehicle make;
• the number plate or unit number of the truck, bus or tractor;
• the number plates or unit numbers of any trailers towed by the truck, bus or tractor
• the date and time of the inspection;
• the name and signature of the person who carries out the inspection;
• a list of the items required to be inspected (defined in Schedules 1 and 2); and
• any safety defects of the items referred to in clause (f) disclosed by the inspection.

While the regulation states that the driver must forward the completed inspection report to the person responsible for the CMV, an MTO spokesperson advises that the completed inspection report be kept in the CMV. The trip inspection report must be produced upon demand if either the police or Ministry of Transportation inspectors stop the vehicle. At the end of the day, the completed inspection report can be removed from the vehicle and filed. The inspection reports are to be kept for three months.
     All operators need to be aware of this relatively new legislation as it affects the use of vehicles during off hours. If a CMV is used for personal errands during off hours, the driver is still required to fill out a trip inspection report if one has not been completed during the past 24 hours.
     For complete information about the rules and regulations covering trip inspections, contact your local Ministry of Transportation office.
Sample Vehicle Inspection Report

Related articles and infomation on the MTO Commercial Motor Vehicle requirements can be found below:

• MTO - Registered Gross Weight
• MTO - Daily Truck, Trailer and Coach Inspection and Maintenance Program
• MTO - Annual Truck and Trailer Safety Inspections
• MTO - Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR)
• MTO - Hours of Work