Local 76 Ontario Heavy Haulers Union

OPP Inspections of Commercial Vehicles & The Role of Local 76 OHHU Ensuring Safety, Compliance, and Fair Treatment on Ontario Roads

Local 76 can help Canada and protect trucking jobs in Ontario

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) conduct thousands of roadside and facility inspections each year to keep highways safe. These inspections ensure commercial vehicles comply with provincial and federal safety standards under the Highway Traffic Act and Commercial Vehicle Operators Registration (CVOR) system. Their mission: prevent collisions, mechanical failures, and unsafe operations across Ontario’s roads.

How OPP & MTO Inspections Work

 

Inspections take place at:

  • Truck inspection stations, highway blitzes, and weigh scales

  • Random roadside stops and targeted enforcement campaigns

Officers check:

  • Vehicle condition: brakes, tires, lights, load securement, mechanical integrity

  • Driver credentials: CVOR, daily inspections, and proper license class

  • Hours of Service (HOS) compliance and logbooks

  • Insurance and documentation

Failing an inspection can result in warnings, fines, out-of-service orders, impoundments, or even license suspensions.

The Reality for Ontario Truck Drivers

Average Out-of-Service Rate: ≈ 30–40 %

What These Numbers Mean

  • Nearly 1 in 3 trucks inspected in Ontario in 2025 was found unsafe to operate.

  • Brake and tire issues remain the most frequent mechanical cause of removal.

  • Load-securement violations are common among flatbed and construction haulers.

  • Paperwork and logbook errors often trigger additional fines or downtime.

These findings show that even experienced operators can face serious penalties if maintenance, documentation, and compliance standards aren’t met.

How Local 76 OHHU Protects and Supports Ontario’s Drivers

Local 76 Ontario Heavy Hauler Union (OHHU) stands for fair enforcement, proper training, and safe working conditions for all professional drivers in Ontario’s heavy transport sectors.

Our Key Initiatives

  • Inspection Readiness Workshops: Train drivers and owner-operators on what OPP/MTO look for during inspections.

  • Compliance Support: Help members resolve CVOR or licensing issues.

  • Union Representation: Ensure drivers aren’t unfairly penalized for carrier negligence or faulty equipment.

  • Advocacy: Work with MTO and OPP to promote consistent, transparent enforcement standards.

  • Fair Contracting: Push to end “Drivers Inc.” models and restore protections and benefits.

Our Mission

To make Ontario’s roads safer, fairer, and more professional — ensuring that drivers in heavy hauling, construction, liquid bulk, and road-works sectors can operate with confidence, protection, and dignity.

Local 76 OHHU: Protecting Ontario’s Heavy Haulers — One Truck, One Driver at a Time.
www.local76.ca

Common Violations: brake and tire defects, load-securement failures, logbook errors, expired safety stickers, overweight loads.

Top Risk Sectors: dump and aggregate hauling, construction, flatbed, liquid bulk, and heavy haul operations.

While safety enforcement is critical, truck drivers often face:

  • Inconsistent enforcement practices between regions

  • Tight schedules and carrier pressure to keep running

  • Lack of formal inspection-readiness training

  • Drivers Inc. arranges that shift liability onto drivers

  • High risk of losing income or CVOR points for issues beyond their control

Severe impact on Trucking in Ontario, Canada

🧩 2025 Commercial Truck Inspection Snapshot

(Based on official OPP, MTO, and regional police data)

STATE OF COMPLIANCE — ONTARIO 2025

Region / BlitzVehicles InspectedOut-of-ServiceCharges / Notes
Waterloo–Cambridge (June 2025)28090 (32 %)188 charges, 8 plates removed, 2 suspensions
Halton Region (Aug 2025)8236 (44 %)160 offence notices, 6 plate seizures
North Bay / East Region (Apr–Aug 2025)600 (approx.)4 (0.7 %)9 charged for bypassing inspection stations
Thorold / Niagara (2025)3514 (40 %)40 % of inspected trucks removed from service
Province-wide Campaign (Oct 2025)517161 (31 %)316 charges, 120 warnings
Scroll to Top