a truck with 2 axles and a net weightWeight of the vehicle and the equipment permanently attached to it, excluding the weight of its load. of 4,500 kg or more
a truck with 3 or more axles, regardless of its net weight
You must hold a Class 5 driver's licence to drive a truck with 2 axles and a net weight of less than 4,500 kg.
If you drive a vehicle without the appropriate class of licence, you are subject to:
a fine of $300 to $600, plus costs
seizure and impoundment of the vehicle
Mandatory stop at an inspection station
If the truck you are driving has a gross vehicle weight ratingA vehicle's weight, including its maximum load capacity, according to the manufacturer's specifications. (GVWR) of 4,500 kg or more, you are required to stop an an inspection station when its lights are flashing.
If you fail to stop at the inspection station when its lights are flashing, you face a minimum fine of $350, plus costs.
You are not required to stop at an inspection station if you are driving:
a truck with a net weight of 4,000 or less registered as a passenger vehicleA motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, a moped and a minibus. This vehicle must be owned by a natural person, carry up to 9 occupants (where such transportation does not require a permit from the Commission des transports du Québec), and be used mainly for personal purposes.
a road vehicle used for recreational purposes
Obeying road signs and traffic signals concerning trucks
Signs and signals concerning heavy vehicles and trucking rules apply to trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,500 kg or more.
Failure to abide by these obligations is an offence under the Highway Safety Code and may result in a statement offence being served.
Roads open or closed to truck traffic
You must obey signs that indicate whether roads are open or closed to heavy vehicle traffic.
Brake verification areas
You must check your truck's brakes if the total loaded weight is 3,000 kg or more by stopping at the indicated areas.
Alcohol at the wheel of a truck: 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.05)
If your truck has a GVWR of 4,500 kg or more, you must abide by the legal limit of 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.05). Offenders are subject to having their driver's licence suspended for 24 hours.
Loads must be properly secured
It must not be possible for any portion of the load to fall, leak, spill, move, come loose or be blown away by the wind
The load must be solidly restrained or adequately covered
The load must not reduce your field of vision
The load must not block any lights or headlights
The load must not compromise the vehicle's handling or stability
Failure to abide by these obligations is subject to a fine of $175 to $350, plus costs.
Properly wear your seat belt… and that goes for every passenger as well
Install an appropriate child car seat if his or her height is less than 63 cm while seated (measured from the base of the buttocks to the top of the skull)
What is prohibited…
Transporting more passengers than there are seats available
Transporting one or more passengers in a moving trailer
It is recommended that you choose a truck rental agency that is registered in the Register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles and to check whether it has been assigned the appropriate safety rating. By doing so, you will avoid the risk of having the rented truck seized if you are pulled over by a peace officer.
At the wheel, watch out for heavy vehicle blind spots
Around any vehicle, certain areas are not covered by the windows or rearview mirrors and cannot be seen by the driver. This are the blind spots. Generally speaking, the higher the vehicle, the larger the blind spots.
