MTO - Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR)

October 12, 2001 (Copyright) Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1999. This is an unofficial version of Government of Ontario legal materials. For accurate reference refer to the official volumes.


WHICH VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN CVOR?
CVOR applies to trucks and tractors 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. Also applies to buses with a seating capacity for 10 or more passengers.

Exceptions: ambulances, fire apparatus, hearses and casket wagons, mobile cranes, motor homes, tow trucks, buses when used for personal transportation, empty vehicles operating under dealer plates or "in transit" permits, and vehicles leased for not longer than 30 days for personal use.


WHAT IS A CVOR?
CVOR is the registration system for operators of commercial motor vehicles (trucks and buses). It's the part of the Highway Traffic Act under which operators of these vehicles are identified. CVOR also allows the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to suspend or cancel an operator's certificate.


WHO IS AN OPERATOR?
The operator is the person responsible for the vehicle and the driver. He/she is also responsible for the people or goods being moved in his/her vehicle on the highway.


ARE VAN POOL VEHICLES INCLUDED IN CVOR?
Van pool vehicles with a seating capacity for 10 or more passengers are included.


MUST I OWN A TRUCK OR BUS TO OBTAIN A CVOR?
No. If you lease or contract vehicles you are required to hold a CVOR certificate.


IF AN OPERATOR HAS A NUMBER OF OPERATING DIVISIONS, MUST EACH DIVISION REGISTER IN CVOR?
No. Such an operator requires only one certificate.


IF AN OPERATOR IS A CORPORATION AND HAS SUBSIDIARIES, MUST EACH SUBSIDIARY REGISTER IN CVOR?
Yes. Each separate corporation or company is required to register.


HOW DO I REGISTER IN CVOR?
To register, an operator simply gets an application from any MTO office. Mail or deliver the completed application to the address shown on the form. The ministry will mail the CVOR certificate to the operator.


IS THERE A REGISTRATION FEE?
No. However, there is a fee for a replacement CVOR certificate.


WHAT IS A CVOR CERTIFICATE?
A CVOR certificate is a legal document. Each CVOR bears a unique identification number.


WHAT DO I DO WITH THE CERTIFICATE?
The certificate or a legible copy must be carried in any truck and bus operated on the highway under that certificate number. The certificate must be surrendered for inspection upon the request of an officer.


MUST LEASED VEHICLES CARRY A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE?
No. The lease or contract must contain the operator's CVOR number. This does not apply if the vehicle is exempt from CVOR, (leased for not longer than 30 days for personal use).


MUST VEHICLES WITH OUT-OF-PROVINCE LICENCE PLATES CARRY A CVOR CERTIFICATE?
If an operator has been issued a certificate, a copy must be carried. Also, if the vehicle bears prorate plates and Ontario is included on the cab card, a certificate must be carried.


HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK?
When any conviction is registered against a driver or an operator, the court files a report with MTO. The ministry enters the information into the operator's record. Reportable accident information and reports on vehicle detentions for safety defects also go on the operator's record.


DOES THE CVOR SYSTEM INCLUDE CORRECTIVE ACTION AGAINST OPERATORS WITH FREQUENT CONVICTION?
Corrective action will be taken if an operator's record becomes unsatisfactory. The operator's fleet size determines the number of convictions allowed before corrective action is taken.


WHAT ACTION IS TAKEN IF AN OPERATOR'S RECORD BECOMES UNSATISFACTORY?
At the first stage, MTO will send a notice to the operator advising that an unsatisfactory record exists and that improvement is required. If convictions continue, the operator may be asked to meet with an MTO official to discuss the record. The official will decide on the necessary corrective action.


HOW LONG DO CONVICTIONS REMAIN ON AN OPERATOR'S RECORD?
Infractions remain on the record for five years from the date of conviction. However, they count toward corrective action levels for a period of only two years from the date of offence.


CAN AN OPERATOR LOSE OPERATING PRIVILEGES?
Yes. If an operator continues to build an unsatisfactory record, the Registrar of Motor Vehicles may suspend or cancel the operator's CVOR for all or part of the fleet.


IS CORRECTIVE ACTION AUTOMATIC OR IS DISCRETION APPLIED?
All corrective measures are discretionary. The operator will be given an opportunity to both explain and correct unsatisfactory practices.


IF A CVOR IS UNDER SUSPENSION, CAN THE OPERATOR APPLY FOR ANOTHER CERTIFICATE UNDER A DIFFERENT NAME?
No. An operator is entitled to only one CVOR certificate.


CAN INDIVIDUALS NAMED IN A CVOR THAT IS UNDER SUSPENSION APPLY FOR A NEW CVOR?
No. Any person named in a CVOR that is under suspension cannot be named in any new CVOR application.


MUST A CORPORATION NOTIFY MTO OF A CHANGE IN CORPORATE OFFICERS?
Yes. The Highway Traffic Act requires operators to notify MTO of such changes within 15 days of the time the change is made.


IS IT POSSIBLE TO OBTAIN AN OPERATOR'S OR DRIVER'S CVOR RECORD?
Yes. An abstract of an operator's or driver's record can be obtained by applying to the Licensing Administration Office and paying the prescribed fee. Application forms are available at MTO offices throughout the province.


HOW LONG IS A CVOR CERTIFICATE VALID?
A CVOR certificate is valid for life or until it's no longer required.


ARE CONVICTIONS FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS INCLUDED IN AN OPERATOR'S RECORD?
Yes. Convictions, detentions and accidents reported to MTO by other jurisdictions may be recorded.


For CVOR and Carrier Control information, contact: Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office at 416-246-7166 or toll-free at 1-800-387-7736 (in Ontario only)

Ontario Ministry of Transportation Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office 3rd Floor, 301 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7R4


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

• MTO - Hours of Work