Canadian HOS

This article explains the differences between Canadian hours of service (HOS) regulations and the Canadian electronic logging devices (ELD) mandate. Understanding these rules is crucial for ensuring safety, managing driver fatigue, and maintaining compliance for fleets operating in Canada.

Overview

Canadian HOS regulations set standards for driver work and rest periods to enhance road safety across Canada. The Canadian ELD mandate requires the use of electronic logging devices to automate compliance, making it easier to stay compliant and streamline roadside inspections.

• Enhanced safety: By enforcing required rest periods, the Canadian HOS regulations help minimize driver fatigue and improve overall safety on the roads.
• Automated compliance: Motive’s ELD simplifies adherence to Canadian-specific HOS rules, ensuring accurate record-keeping and minimizing the risk of violations.
• Seamless inspections: The ELD data transfer feature streamlines roadside audits, making it easier for officers to access the required information quickly and securely.
• Adaptability: Motive’s ELD supports both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 HOS rules, providing flexibility for fleets to operate efficiently under varying conditions.

HOS regulations

Canadian HOS regulations govern the maximum amount of time commercial drivers can be on duty and require regular off-duty periods to prevent fatigue. The Canadian ELD mandate, effective June 12, 2021, requires most federally regulated carriers to use certified ELDs to record and manage HOS data.

The main goals are to promote road safety and reduce fatigue-related accidents. These regulations apply to federally regulated carriers and drivers who operate commercial motor vehicles across Canadian provinces.

• Key differences from U.S. HOS:
  
  • Canadian rules allow longer daily driving and on-duty limits.
  • Canada mandates different cycle options and unique split sleeper and deferral provisions.

ELD mandate

To comply with the Canadian ELD mandate, ELDs must meet specific requirements to ensure accurate data and regulatory compliance:

• ECM synchronization: The ELD syncs directly with the vehicle’s engine control module (ECM) for accurate data.
• Tamper resistance: The ELD ensures no one can make unauthorized changes to data.
• Automatic recording: The ELD tracks duty status, driving time, and location continuously without manual input.
• Canadian HOS support: Motive’s ELD supports Canadian-specific rules, including split sleeper, deferral, and both Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 management.

HOS basics

Canadian drivers can choose between two HOS cycles:

• Cycle 1:
  
  • Up to 70 hours on duty within 7 consecutive days.
  • Reset with 36 consecutive hours off duty.
     
• Cycle 2:
  
  • Up to 120 hours on duty within 14 consecutive days.
  • Reset with 72 consecutive hours off duty.

Daily limits (both cycles):

• Maximum 13 hours of driving per day.
• Maximum 14 hours on duty per day.
• At least 10 hours off duty daily, with 2 hours taken in periods no less than 30 minutes.

Adhering to these cycles helps ensure compliance and keeps drivers well-rested.

Off-duty and rest provisions

Canadian regulations require at least 10 hours of off-duty time each day.

• Split sleeper berth (8/2 split): Drivers may split their off-duty time into 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth and a separate 2-hour period off duty (not necessarily in the sleeper), provided both periods total at least 10 hours.
• Deferral of hours: Drivers may defer up to 2 hours of required off-duty time to the next day, provided specific conditions are met.
• Canada south off-duty clock: This feature tracks and displays remaining off-duty time required for compliance, helping drivers plan rest breaks efficiently.

Special duty statuses

• Yard move: Used for vehicle movement within a private yard or terminal, not counted as driving time. Must be selected manually and used according to company policy.
• Personal conveyance: Allows drivers to operate a vehicle for personal reasons, not work-related. Must be used off-duty and not to advance a load or for business purposes.

Motive’s ELD records these statuses automatically. Proper use prevents violations and avoids unassigned driving events.

Transferring ELD data during roadside inspections

Canadian law requires drivers to provide ELD records during roadside inspections. Motive supports easy data transfer via multiple methods:

Initiate data transfer:

1. Open the Driver App or Fleet Dashboard.
2. Navigate to Logs > More Options > Transfer Logs.
3. Choose the transfer method (email or web services) as requested by the inspector.

Output file contents:

The ELD output file includes driving hours, duty status changes, vehicle info, and driver data for the inspection period.

Switching cycles

Drivers may switch between Cycle 1 and Cycle 2 under certain conditions:

Eligibility:
Drivers must complete the required reset: 36 hours for Cycle 1, 72 hours for Cycle 2.

How to switch:

1. In the Motive Driver App go to Logs > Cycle and select the desired cycle.
2. Confirm reset completion and submit the change.

Implications:
Switching cycles resets available on-duty hours and affects planning for upcoming trips.

FAQs

Troubleshooting

• Canadian ELD Mandate: Frequently Asked Questions
• How to Transfer ELD Logs During a Roadside Inspection
• Changing HOS Cycles in Motive
• Understanding Yard Move and Personal Conveyance in Canada