Canadian rules

My driver has driving hours left. Why can't they drive in Canada?

In Canada no driving is allowed after 14 hours on duty in a work shift, or 14 hours on duty in a day. On duty means all work, not just driving.

What drivers say

“The States has no cap on work hours, so I'm fine as long as I'm inside my 14.”

What the rules say

In the States, close enough. In Canada, no. Canada counts every hour of work: loading, paperwork, inspections, fueling and the wait at the bridge. Long waits and dock time can use up the 14 before the driving hours run out.

Run a free checkTry this example

How it works

The limit applies to the work shift and to the day, like the 13-hour driving limit.

Hours worked in the States before crossing count toward it.

The rule

Rule values checked against the regulations and verified by CVORReady Inc.

A worked example

A northbound run with driving hours to spare but a long day of work behind it.

Direction
US to Canada
Hours read at
15:00 EDT on Mon Oct 5
Came on duty at
02:00, after 10 h off
This shift so far
7 h driving, 12 h 30 m on duty, 3 h driving since the last break
Canadian cycle
Cycle 1 (70 hours in 7 days)
US cycle
70 hours in 8 days
On-duty hours
40 h in the last 7 days, 40 h in the last 8 days
24 hours off in a row in the last 14 days
Yes
The run
Leaves at 15:00, drives 30 m to the border, then 2 h after it

This is the answer the free check gives for these hours.

NO-GO

Not legal as planned. The run breaks the Canadian 14-hour on-duty limit.

Why

Binding limit: Canadian 14-hour on-duty limit (SOR/2005-313 s. 12(2), SOR/2005-313 s. 13(2)). The daily limit and the work-shift limit run out at the same time. Hours worked on both sides of the border count toward it.

What makes this a GO

10 h off duty from 15:00, then depart at 01:00 EDT on Tue Oct 6 or later. The rest of the run stays the same.

At the border, under Canadian rules

Driving left5 h 30 m
On-duty time left1 h
16-hour window left2 h 30 m
Cycle 1 left29 h 30 m

Where the hours came from

Hours entered by hand.

BorderHOS is a planning aid. It does not replace your ELD, the driver's judgment, or the regulations. Results depend on the hours used.

How this was worked out
  1. Hours read at 15:00 on Mon Oct 5: 7 h driving and 12 h 30 m on duty this shift. Hours count under both countries' rules; only the rules change at the border.
  2. Departs 15:00, drives 30 m in the US, crosses at 15:30, then 2 h in Canada.
  3. At the border under Canadian rules: 5 h 30 m of driving left, 1 h of on-duty time left, 2 h 30 m of the 16-hour window left, 29 h 30 m of Cycle 1 left.
  4. First limit broken: the Canadian 14-hour on-duty limit at 16:30, in Canada.
  5. Earliest legal departure, resting off duty from 15:00: 01:00 on Tue Oct 6.
What this check does not cover
  • Sleeper-berth splits are not modeled.
  • Canadian deferral of daily off-duty time is not modeled.
  • Adverse driving conditions are not modeled.
  • Team drivers, north of 60, oil-well permits and short-haul exemptions are not modeled.
  • Border wait is not added. Time waiting in line counts as on duty.
  • The date of the driver's last 24 hours off was not given. It is assumed to fall within the last 14 days for the whole run.
  • Canada requires records of duty status for the current day and the preceding 14 days on board. Confirm before crossing.

Engine 1.0.1. Rule values 1.1.0, verified by CVORReady Inc.

Open this example in the free check and change the hours

What fixes it

  • If the day still has room, take 8 hours off in a row to end the shift.
  • Or cut on-duty time before the run: less waiting at the dock, or a rested driver for the northbound leg.

Related

The rules in full