Guides & Resources
Commercial Truck Driver Device & Hours-of-Service Rules
Commercial drivers in Ontario follow their own hours-of-service limits on top of regular Highway Traffic Act rules — and one specific device exemption that doesn't apply to everyday drivers.
Quick answer: Commercial drivers operating a vehicle over 4,500 kg gross vehicle weight, or a bus, are governed by O. Reg. 555/06, which sets daily limits: generally 10 hours of off-duty time (with at least 8 consecutive), a maximum of 13 hours of driving in a day, and a rule against driving once 14 hours on-duty have accumulated, tracked through a daily log. Separately, O. Reg. 366/09 allows commercial drivers to use a two-way radio while driving -- a specific, narrow exemption from the general hand-held device restrictions that apply to everyday drivers.
Key Takeaways
- Hours-of-service rules under O. Reg. 555/06 apply to commercial vehicles over 4,500 kg GVW and to buses.
- Daily limits generally include 10 hours off-duty, a 13-hour driving cap, and no driving past 14 hours on-duty.
- A daily log is required to track these hours, with a short-haul exemption for drivers staying within 160 km of their home terminal and returning within 15 hours.
- A separate regulation permits commercial drivers to use a two-way radio while driving, unlike the general ban on hand-held devices.
Hours-of-service limits
O. Reg. 555/06 sets out the hours-of-service framework for drivers of commercial motor vehicles over 4,500 kg gross vehicle weight and for buses. The core limits generally require at least 10 hours of off-duty time in a day, including a minimum of 8 consecutive hours, cap actual driving time at 13 hours in a day, and prohibit driving once a driver has accumulated 14 hours on-duty, regardless of how much of that time was spent actually driving.
Logging requirements and a short-haul exemption
Drivers covered by these rules are generally required to keep a daily log -- whether handwritten, computer- generated, or through an electronic logging device meeting the applicable technical standard -- documenting their on-duty and driving time. A short-haul exemption applies for drivers who stay within 160 km of their home terminal and return within 15 hours, reducing the logging burden for local, same-day trips.
The two-way radio exemption
Ontario's general distracted driving rules restrict hand-held device use broadly, but O. Reg. 366/09 carves out a specific exemption: a person who meets the Highway Traffic Act's definition of a commercial driver may hold and use a two-way radio -- generally a push-to-talk, separate handset device operating in half-duplex mode -- while driving. This is a narrow, device-specific exemption, not a general pass on distracted driving rules, and it doesn't extend to hand-held cell phone use for calls, texting, or similar functions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours can a commercial truck driver drive in a day in Ontario?
Generally up to 13 hours of actual driving, and driving is prohibited once 14 hours on-duty have accumulated, under O. Reg. 555/06.
Can commercial drivers use a two-way radio while driving?
Yes, under O. Reg. 366/09, which specifically exempts commercial drivers using a two-way radio from the general hand-held device restrictions -- but this doesn't extend to phone calls or texting.
Do all commercial drivers need to keep a daily log?
Generally yes, though a short-haul exemption applies for drivers who stay within 160 km of their home terminal and return within 15 hours.
Sources
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