A reminder that on August 18^th, 2023, Transport Canada implemented Hours-of-Service (HOS) exemptions as a result of wildfires. Note that the measure provides options for an HOS exemption designed solely to support efforts by extra-provincial truck undertakings and their drivers to transport essential supplies and equipment, in direct assistance to the emergency relief efforts in response to the wildfires in British Columbia and Yukon.

The exemption comes for temporary relief from the scheduling provisions in sections 12 to 29 and 37 to 54 of the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations. There are several detailed conditions, including:

• The carrier must notify in writing the hours-of-service director in their base jurisdiction that they want to utilize the exemption, prior to commencement
• The carrier must list all drivers and vehicles to participate under the exemption and provide that to the hours-of-service director prior to commencement
• A copy of the exemption must be carried in every vehicle operating under the exemption
• The driver must indicate in the remarks section of their daily log if they are operating under the exemption on that day
• The carrier cannot have a “conditional” or “unsatisfactory” safety rating
• The driver or vehicle cannot be subject to an out-of-service declaration

Members are strongly encouraged to review the details of the exemption option in its entirety before proceeding- you can find the exemption on the Transport Canada website.

This exemption came into effect August 18 and remains valid until the earliest of a notice to rescind or September 30.

Questions? Please contact the BCTA Policy Team at BCTA@BCTrucking.com.