Evaluating a Carriers Performance

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The CVOR System evaluates a carrier based on the events on its CVOR Record, including collisions, driver and carrier convictions, CVSA inspections and detentions, and the results of facility audits.The first step in evaluating a carrier is to assess its on-road performance based on three separate safety indicators. These are the carrier’s:

  • Total collision points accumulated in (up to) a 24-month period (collision violation rate),
  • Total conviction points accumulated in (up to) a 24-month period (conviction violation rate), and
  • Total inspection points accumulated in (up to) a 24-month period, on CVSA inspections (inspection violation rate).

The points accumulated in each category are compared to the point threshold values listed in “Table of Threshold Values” to determine the Percentage of Threshold. Thresholds for collisions and convictions are based on the carrier’s kilometric travel in Canada. Thresholds for inspections are based on the total number of units (drivers and vehicles) inspected in Canada. This is a measure of the carrier’s performance in each of these categories.

The violation rate (Percentage of Threshold) in each category is combined to arrive at an overall violation rate. Collisions and convictions contribute at double the value of inspections towards the overall rate. Since they have been shown to be better predictors of future collisions than out of service defects, collisions and convictions are given more importance in determining the overall percentage of threshold.

Note: For an example of these calculations, or copy of the Table of Threshold Values please contact MTO Carrier Sanctions and Investigation Office.

Carriers with vehicles plated in the USA are rated on kilometres travelled in Ontario only, and only for Ontario events.

Interventions and sanctions

The CVOR System automatically identifies a carrier for review when poor safety performance is identified based on the carrier’s overall violation rate.

Predetermined stages have been established at which point carrier interventions or sanctions will be considered. When one of these stages is reached, Ministry staff will determine the appropriate intervention. (Warning letters issued at 35%, a request for a facility audit is triggered at 50%, an interview at 85%, and a sanction analysis at 100% or over.)

The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may use other triggering methods to bring a carrier to the Ministry’s attention such as significant incidents (e.g. impoundments or wheel separations, unpaid fines, or chronic non-compliance).

All interventions and sanctions concerning a carrier’s CVOR Record are directed towards the corporate officer or senior official of the company. In this way, the individual who has control of and accountability for the carrier’s operation will be aware of the Ministry’s concerns regarding its safety performance and is expected to take the necessary steps to improve. This approach has proven very successful in improving carrier performance. Over 80% of carriers that are subject to an intervention improve their record to an acceptable standard.

Sanctions

A sanction is the most severe disciplinary measure the Registrar may impose. It may result in a fleet limitation, plate seizure, or suspension or cancellation of a carrier’s operating privileges. Sanctions may also result in a carrier receiving an Unsatisfactory Safety Rating. Sanctions imposed by the Registrar take effect throughout Canada. As part of the sanction process, the carrier will have an opportunity to show cause as to why the sanction should not be imposed.

Carriers that exceed 100% of their overall CVOR threshold may receive a Notice of Sanction. The corporate officer or senior official of the company is given the opportunity to show cause to the Registrar or Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles as to why its commercial vehicle operator privileges in Canada should not be revoked, suspended or limited. A summary of the information that is available to the Registrar/Deputy Registrar is included with the Notice of Sanction together with the Safety Rating letter that the carrier receives prior to the meeting. This may include a Carrier CVOR Abstract (Level II), listing of outstanding unpaid fines, incident reports and a Ministry analysis of the carrier’s safety performance.

Sanctions that have been ordered may be appealed to:

Licence Appeal Tribunal
530 – 20 Dundas Street West, 5th Floor Toronto, ON M5G 2C2 Phone: 416-314-4260 or 1-800-255-2214 (within Ontario)

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