COVID-19 response: Truck driver and railway operator regulations

Alberta is temporarily modifying some regulations for truck drivers and railway operators to protect the supply chain and ensure Canadians can access necessities like medical supplies, groceries and fuel during the COVID-19 crisis.

Keeping the supply chain open and moving during COVID-19 (News release April 9, 2020)

For more information on COVID-19, visit COVID-19 info for Albertans

Important

It is an offence to operate the commercial vehicle(s) without a Safety Fitness Certificate (SFC). If found in violation, you may be prosecuted and may have your vehicle(s) seized.

In addition, you may also be fined up to $10,000.

Overview

If you have registered a commercial vehicle that is regulated under the National Safety Code program in Alberta, you are required to apply for an SFC. The SFC gives you permission to operate a commercial vehicle in Alberta.

How to apply

Step 1. Prepare all necessary documentation

The following is some of the information you will be asked to provide, but is not limited to:

  • certificate of completion for the Safety Fitness Certificate Compliance Course
  • the Motor Vehicle Identification (MVID) number associated with your company, found on your vehicle registration document
  • the nature of your business, such as hauling commodities or transporting passengers
  • whether you are going to operate outside of Alberta
  • the safety and maintenance program declaration

Step 2. Apply online

Go to the Safety Fitness Certificate Application site and follow the guidelines to apply.

Step 3. Pay the $150 application fee

The filing fee for online applications must be paid by Visa, MasterCard or American Express. For credit card payments processed online, the applicant enters their cardholder data through a secure payment page powered by TD Merchant Services.

After you apply

Review of the SFC application may take up to 5 business days.

Upon submission, the electronic application is automatically sent to Carrier Services for review.

Carriers will receive a confirmation email that contains a copy of the application submission with a receipt of payment (if applicable).

This process is expedited by ensuring you have the correct and required information submitted.

The SFC will be mailed out to the address noted on your application. If required, you may phone Carrier Services at 403-340-5444 after 5 days to inquire about your application.

Email and online correspondence

Starting March 9, 2020, some correspondence issued by Alberta Transportation, such as SFCs and certain letters, will be available for carriers to access online through Alberta Transportation Online Services.

Access is provided by the existing Carrier/Public Profile service through a new Carrier Document Portal service. Not all documents will be available online as some will continue to be delivered by email with attachments and by mail.

Commercial vehicle descriptions

The following commercial vehicles must comply to meet the requirement to receive an SFC:

  • a truck, tractor or trailer or any combination of these vehicles that has a registered gross vehicle weight of 11,794 kilograms or more, operating solely within Alberta
  • a truck, tractor or trailer or any combination of these vehicles that weighs or is registered with a gross vehicle weight of more than 4,500 kilograms that is used or intended to be used to transport goods on a highway outside of Alberta, including a farm-plated vehicle
  • a 'bus' (including vans) that is a commercial vehicle which is originally designed for carrying 11 or more persons, including the driver, and that is used or intended to be used for the transportation of persons

All passenger transportation operators should refer to information on Operating Authority Certificate applications.

Insurance requirements

The National Safety Code program provides minimal standards for carrier safety compliance.

To maintain an acceptable safety fitness rating, a carrier must have a good safety record and the minimum insurance coverage required by Alberta legislation.

The Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation sets out the minimum insurance requirements as follows:

  • Section 24, Cargo Insurance – requires carriers to maintain insurance to cover against loss of or damage to goods transported. Insurance requirements range from $600 to $32,000 depending on the gross vehicle weight of the vehicle.
  • Section 25, Liability Insurance – requires all carriers to maintain at least $1 million coverage and those transporting certain types of dangerous goods at least $2 million coverage.
  • Section 26, Passenger Insurance – requires carriers conducting a passenger service to maintain passenger hazard insurance of either $1 million or $2 million coverage depending on the number of passengers the vehicle can transport.
  • Section 27, Taxi Insurance – requires taxi companies to maintain at least $1 million of passenger hazard insurance.

The above is a summary of insurance requirements set out in legislation. For detailed insurance requirements for the passenger transport industry and cargo insurance, please refer to the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation (AR 314/2002) in the Traffic Safety Act.