Hours of Driving and Rest: The Limits You Must Respect

To combat driver fatigue, the Règlement sur les heures de conduite et de repos des conducteurs de véhicules lourds sets out specific limits.

Daily limits

A maximum of 13 hours of driving per day;
A maximum of 14 hours of work per day;
A minimum of 10 hours of rest per day.

Cycles

The operator chooses a cycle: 70 hours over 7 days or 120 hours over 14 days. Once the cycle limit is reached, the driver must take a rest period before returning to the road.

The daily log

The driver must keep a daily log (log book) showing their hours of driving, work and rest, unless an exemption applies, for example for certain trips within a 160 km radius. Extraprovincial carriers must use an electronic logging device (ELD).

Common offences

Exceeding the permitted hours, a missing, incomplete or falsified log, insufficient rest: these offences affect the driver and the PEVL record. Many of them can be contested, in particular depending on the exemptions that apply and the way the hours were calculated.

Also read: Offences Related to the Daily Log

Received a ticket? Don’t pay before speaking with us

For a truck driver or a fleet owner, every ticket also counts against the company’s record. Our lawyers contest your tickets throughout Quebec and represent you before the Commission des transports du Québec. See our Option 3 – Commercial Vehicle (CVL – PEVL – CVOR).

Montreal area: 514 990-7884
Other regions of Quebec and Ontario: 1 877 990-7884

Hours of Driving and Rest: The Limits You Must Respect