How a conviction lands on a CVOR record
MTO keeps a running score for every carrier. Over a rolling 24-month window, each collision, conviction and out-of-service inspection adds points. Those points are measured against what MTO considers acceptable for a carrier of that size: thresholds rise with kilometres travelled (for collisions and convictions) and with the number of vehicles and drivers inspected (for inspections). Each of the three areas becomes a percentage of its own threshold, collisions and convictions count double, and the three are blended into one overall violation rate. At 100% the carrier is over threshold. Events older than 24 months drop off, so a conviction that is avoided, reduced to a lower-point offence or withdrawn can change where a carrier sits on the intervention ladder.
5 CVOR points: Most serious driving conduct and criminal driving offences
- Careless driving (HTA s. 130)
- Following too closely, including a commercial motor vehicle (HTA s. 158)
- Disobeying a red light (HTA s. 144(18))
- Failing to stop for a school bus (HTA s. 175(11), (12))
- Unsafe move / unsafe lane change (HTA s. 142(1))
- Driving while suspended (HTA s. 53)
- Driving or operating an unsafe vehicle (HTA s. 84)
- Hours of service: exceeding 13 hours driving or driving after 14 hours on duty in a day
- Keeping more than one daily log (HTA s. 190(5)); driving while under an hours-of-service prohibition (HTA s. 190(6.2))
- No insurance (Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act s. 2(1)); improper insurance on a CMV (HTA s. 23(1))
- Criminal Code driving offences such as dangerous driving and impaired driving
- Speeding 21 km/h or more over the limit (see speeding rule below)
3 CVOR points: Serious safety offences (vehicle condition, load, inspections, logs)
- Defective brakes (HTA s. 64)
- Defective or improper tires (HTA s. 70(3))
- Insecure load / load not secured as prescribed (HTA s. 111(2), (2.1))
- Driving a CMV with a major defect (HTA s. 107(11))
- Driving a CMV without the required daily inspection (HTA s. 107(9))
- Failing to keep or carry a daily log / record of duty status (HTA s. 190(3))
- Over-width, over-length or over-height vehicle or load (HTA s. 109)
- Failing to drive onto a scale when directed (HTA s. 124)
- Hand-held device while driving (HTA s. 78.1)
- Fail to stop for police (HTA s. 216); fail to remain at a collision (HTA s. 200)
- Dangerous goods offences (Dangerous Goods Transportation Act; federal TDG)
- Speeding 11 to 20 km/h over the limit
2 CVOR points: Moderate offences, including most overweight convictions
- Overweight on axles, axle groups or gross weight (HTA ss. 116, 117, 118) where the overload is 2,000 kg or more
- Operating a CMV without a valid CVOR certificate (HTA s. 16(2))
- Improper lamps (HTA s. 62)
- Improper signalling (HTA s. 142)
- Speeding 1 to 10 km/h over the limit
1 CVOR points: Lower-level safety offences
- Driving a CMV with a minor defect (HTA s. 107(12))
- Failing to complete a daily inspection report accurately (HTA s. 107(5)) or to carry it (HTA s. 107(6))
- Seat belt offences by the driver (HTA s. 106)
- Speed limiter offences (HTA s. 68.1) - see verification notes
0 CVOR points: Administrative offences (appear on the record but carry no points)
- Failing to carry the CVOR certificate (HTA s. 16(3)(a))
- Failing to carry proof of insurance
- Failing to display plates or validation
- Overweight in excess of a permit (HTA s. 121(1))
- Overweight where the overload is under 2,000 kg (for offences flagged WT1)
- Collisions Weighted x2. Points depend on severity and whether the police report notes an 'impropriety': property damage 2, personal injury 4, fatal 6; 0 if no impropriety. Compared with a threshold based on kilometres travelled per month in Canada.
- Convictions Weighted x2. Points from the MTO Conviction Code Table (0, 1, 2, 3 or 5 per conviction). Compared with a threshold based on kilometres travelled per month in Canada.
- Inspections (CVSA roadside) Weighted x1. Points only for out-of-service defects: 1 point for the first out-of-service category on a unit, 2 points for each further category on the same unit; driver points count at 68.75% of vehicle points. Compared with a threshold based on the number of units (vehicles plus drivers) inspected.
When the violation rate climbs
Intervention thresholds
- Monitoring range: 0% to 34% of the overall threshold
Most carriers sit here. No automatic intervention; MTO expects the carrier to watch its record.
- Warning letter: 35% of the overall threshold (35% to 49% band)
MTO may send a warning letter asking the carrier to review driver training, maintenance and company policies.
- Facility audit: 50% of the overall threshold (50% to 84% band)
MTO may decide a facility audit is warranted. Failing the audit or refusing to take part drops the safety rating to Conditional.
- Conditional safety rating: 70% of the overall threshold (with or without an audit)
Safety rating is downgraded to Conditional. To move back up the carrier must get down to 60% or less.
- Interview: 85% of the overall threshold (85% to 99% band)
Carrier may be required to attend an interview with a senior MTO official and commit to an action plan. If it does not improve, the CVOR may be suspended or cancelled.
- Sanction (show cause meeting): 100% or more of the overall threshold, or of any single collision, conviction or inspection threshold
Carrier may face suspension or cancellation of its CVOR certificate (sanctions can also include fleet limitation or plate seizure) and must meet the Deputy Registrar to explain why it should keep its operating privileges. An Unsatisfactory rating may be assigned. Sanctions (not safety ratings) can be appealed to the Licence Appeal Tribunal.
CVOR safety ratings
- Excellent
Requires at least 24 months of operation in Ontario, an overall violation rate of 15% or less of threshold, a collision rate of 10% or less of the collision threshold, and an excellent facility audit score. Kept only while the overall rate stays at 20% or less and the collision rate at 15% or less.
- Satisfactory
At least 6 months of operation in Ontario, on-road performance at 70% or less of the overall threshold, and a passed facility audit.
- Satisfactory - Unaudited
The usual rating for a carrier that has never been audited and stays at 70% or less of its overall threshold. New operators start here; it is the highest rating available without an audit.
- Conditional
Assigned when the carrier goes over 70% of its overall threshold, fails a facility audit, comes off a suspension or plate seizure, or is affiliated with a Conditional carrier. Lasts at least 6 months; the carrier must get to 60% or less to be upgraded.
- Unsatisfactory
Usually follows a sanction when the carrier is over 100% of its threshold. The carrier may be temporarily or permanently barred from operating; operating privileges are suspended or cancelled across Canada.
Charges that hit truck and bus drivers
Hours of service and logs
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 555/06 s. HTA s. 190(2); O. Reg. 555/06 ss. 5, 6, 9, 13
Driving not in accordance with the hours-of-service rules
Daily limits are 13 hours driving and 14 hours on duty (s. 5), at least 10 hours off duty a day (s. 6), and no driving after 16 hours elapsed without 8 consecutive hours off (s. 9). Cycle 1 is 70 hours in 7 days, cycle 2 is 120 hours in 14 days (s. 13). Daily-limit convictions carry 5 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 555/06 s. HTA s. 190(3); O. Reg. 555/06 s. 17
Failing to keep or carry a daily log / record of duty status
3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 190(4)
Failing to surrender the daily log to an officer
3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 190(5)
Keeping more than one daily log for the same period
5 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 190(6)
Operator permitting a driver to drive contrary to the rules
Charge against the carrier. 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 555/06 s. HTA s. 190(6.2)
Driving, or permitting driving, while under an out-of-service prohibition
5 CVOR points.
- O. Reg. 555/06 s. s. 28(1)
Entering inaccurate information in, or falsifying, a record of duty status
CVOR point value not confirmed for this regulation section.
- O. Reg. 555/06 s. s. 18
No compliant electronic logging device (ELD)
Operator must equip each CMV with an ELD that meets the Technical Standard, subject to exemptions. CVOR point value not confirmed.
Daily inspection and defects
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 199/07 s. HTA s. 107(9); O. Reg. 199/07 s. 6
Driving a CMV without the required daily (or under-vehicle) inspection
A daily inspection is valid for 24 hours (O. Reg. 199/07 s. 6(3)). 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 199/07 s. HTA s. 107(11); O. Reg. 199/07 s. 2(1)
Driving a CMV with a major defect
Major defects are listed in the inspection schedules (Schedule 1 for trucks, tractors and trailers). 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 199/07 s. HTA s. 107(12); O. Reg. 199/07 s. 2(2)
Driving a CMV with a minor defect
1 CVOR point.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 199/07 s. HTA s. 107(5); O. Reg. 199/07 s. 7
Failing to complete the inspection report accurately
1 CVOR point.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 107(6)
Failing to carry the inspection schedule and report
1 CVOR point.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 107(8)
Failing to record or report a defect to the operator
3 CVOR points (1 point for failing to submit the report under s. 107(8)(c)).
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 107(1), (2), (3), (4)
Operator failing to establish or follow an inspection and maintenance system
Charges against the carrier, often laid after a facility audit. 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 199/07 s. HTA s. 107(13); O. Reg. 199/07 ss. 15, 16
Operator failing to keep records
Daily inspection reports must be kept at least six months. 1 CVOR point.
Load security
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 111(2)
Insecure load
Load must be loaded, bound, secured, contained or covered so no part can fall off or endanger anyone. 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 363/04 s. HTA s. 111(2.1); O. Reg. 363/04 ss. 2, 5, 9
CMV load not secured as prescribed
Vehicles over 4,500 kg must meet Part 1 of National Safety Code Standard 10 (Cargo Securement). 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 363/04 s. HTA s. 111(2.2); O. Reg. 363/04 s. 10
Driving without carrying out the prescribed load inspections
3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 111(1)
Overhanging load not marked or lit
Applies to a load overhanging the rear by 1.5 metres or more. 3 CVOR points.
Overweight and over-dimension
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 116
Overweight on an axle unit
2 CVOR points if the overload is 2,000 kg or more, 0 points if less (WT1 rule).
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 117
Overweight on an axle group
2 CVOR points if the overload is 2,000 kg or more, 0 points if less.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 118
Gross vehicle weight over the limit
2 CVOR points if the overload is 2,000 kg or more, 0 points if less.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 121(1)
Overweight in excess of a permit
Zero-pointed (administrative) in the Conviction Code Table.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 124(5), (6)
Failing to drive onto a scale, or to redistribute or remove load, when directed
Commercial-vehicle penalty provisions. 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 109(1), (2)
Over-width vehicle or load
Limit 2.6 metres, subject to permits and exceptions. 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 109(6), (7), (8)
Over-length vehicle or combination
12.5 m single vehicle, 23 m combination, 18.5 m box length for multi-trailer combinations. 3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 109(14)
Over-height vehicle
Limit 4.15 metres. 3 CVOR points.
CVOR certificate and documents
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 16(2)
Driving or operating a CMV without a valid CVOR certificate
2 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act; O. Reg. 424/97 s. HTA s. 16(3)
Failing to carry the CVOR certificate or lease
Zero-pointed (administrative), except failing to carry a fleet limitation certificate (3 points).
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 16(4)
Failing to surrender documents to police
Zero-pointed (administrative).
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 23(1)
Operating a CMV without proper insurance
5 CVOR points. Failing to carry proof of insurance (s. 23(3)) is zero-pointed.
Equipment and vehicle condition
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 64
Defective brakes
3 CVOR points. Push-rod stroke (brake adjustment) charges under the regulations also carry 3 points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 84(1)
Driving or operating an unsafe vehicle
A CMV with a prescribed critical defect is deemed unsafe (s. 84(1.1)). 5 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 84.1(1)
Wheel separation from a CMV
Charge against the operator and owner. Fine of $2,000 to $50,000 (s. 84.1(3)). CVOR point value not confirmed.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 70(3)
Defective or improperly installed tires
3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 62
Improper or missing lamps
Most lamp offences carry 2 CVOR points.
Speed limiter
- Highway Traffic Act; R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 587 s. HTA s. 68.1(1); Reg. 587 s. 14(1)
CMV without an activated, functioning speed-limiting system
The limiter must be set to a maximum of 105 km/h. Exemptions in Reg. 587 s. 13 include buses, motor homes, vehicles made before 1995 and vehicles under 11,794 kg manufacturer's GVWR. Listed at 1 CVOR point but marked administrative (see verification notes).
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 68.1(2)
Deactivating or modifying the speed limiter
Listed at 1 CVOR point.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 68.1(3)
Driving with a speed-limiter tampering device
Listed at 1 CVOR point.
Dangerous goods
- Dangerous Goods Transportation Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. D.1 s. s. 3
Transporting dangerous goods without complying with federal safety requirements, standards or safety marks
Ontario's Act adopts the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods requirements. Dangerous goods convictions in the Conviction Code Table carry 3 CVOR points.
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992 (Canada) and TDG Regulations s. Not confirmed
Federal TDG offences (shipping documents, safety marks, training certificate)
Listed in the Conviction Code Table at 3 points each; exact federal section numbers were not verified against Justice Laws for this dataset.
Moving violations in a commercial vehicle
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 128
Speeding
CVOR points depend on how far over: 1-10 km/h = 2, 11-20 km/h = 3, 21 km/h or more = 5.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 130
Careless driving
5 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 158
Following too closely
5 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 144(18)
Red light
5 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 78.1
Hand-held device
3 CVOR points.
- Highway Traffic Act s. s. 106(2)
Seat belt (driver)
1 CVOR point.
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