What You Should Know About Canadian Hours of Service Rules
For your safety…and that of other road users, your motor coach driver’s hours of service are strictly regulated by Federal and Provincial laws. These laws limit the number of hours a driver can drive in a day, the length of a work shift, and the number of work hours a driver can accumulate over a multi-day period.
These are the rules for Canada: Please use when building your itinerary :
– Your driver can drive up to 13 hours in a 24 hour day.
– Your driver must not exceed 14 hours on duty in a 24 hour day.
– Your driver must take breaks from driving. As a guideline, you should plan 30-minute break every 5-8 hours.
– Your driver cannot drive after 16 hours has elapsed since the driver started his or her work shift (regardless of the number of on-duty hours). Example: If your driver begins his/her work shift at 6:00am, The drivers hours begin at our shop not at the pickup location. he/she cannot drive after 10:00pm and must take at least 8 hours off-duty before driving again. The driver will need 1 hour out of the 16 allotted hours to pre and post trip the bus daily.
– Your driver cannot begin a new work shift without first taking at least 8 consecutive hours off-duty.
Your driver may work up to 70 hours in any period of 7 days (which includes driving and non-driving duties). Also, the driver must have at least one 24-hour break in the preceding 14 days.
United States Itinerary Guidelines
These are the rules for the United States: Please use when building your itinerary :
Your driver can drive up to 10 hours per day in the US.
– Your driver must not exceed 14 hours on duty in a 24-hour day.
– Your driver must take breaks from driving. As a guideline, you should plan 30-minute break every 5-8 hours.
– Your driver must be provided with 8 hours off-duty in their hotel room each day to reset.
– Your driver cannot drive after 15 hours has elapsed since the driver started their daily bus inspections.
– When leaving for a US trip from Canada, we abide by the US Hours of service . 10 hours of drive and 14 hours of on duty time applies from the moment the driver starts his engine in Canada.
If these limits are exceeded…
– Your driver and the company and you can be charged and fined, threatening the bus company’s operating privileges as well as the risk of the driver losing his/her licence.
– Your driver can be placed “out of service” at a roadside inspection for up to 72 hours.
How will anyone find out?
– Your driver’s log can be examined at any time during a trip by police or government transportation enforcement officers. They need to carry 14 days worth of logs activity whenever you operate in Canada. Canada Bus Lines Inc. Motor Coaches are equipped with Electronic Log Devices that monitor all aspects of the driver’s trip.
– Audits of driver and company records at the bus company’s premises will detect hours of service violations.
So, please work your itineraries around these regulations. Don’t ask your driver to break the law by exceeding these limits.
After all, the safety of your group is Canada Bus Lines number one priority!
Going beyond the driver’s hours of service is possible with a relay driver which would result in additional charges.
Please speak to your sales rep should you have any questions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The following terms apply to all contracts issued:
General Terms and Conditions
1. Quote is based on the information provided by client. It is subject to additional charge should the actual charter result in excessive shuttling and/or side trips.
2. A complete itinerary to be provided by client no less than ten (10) days prior to departure and must comply with Canadian and USA Hours of Service Regulations. Copies of regulations are available upon request.
i. Driver’s hours of service is a maximum of 14 hours in one day (including driving and on-duty not driving time). A third party user of this service must not request or allow driver to exceed this limit. Third parties include tour operators, group leaders, teachers, chaperones, coaches, escorts, etc. Shared responsibility means third party can be charged for driver’s hours of service violations. Other driver’s hours of service restrictions apply. (Note: While driving in the USA the rules differ.)
3. The client is responsible for providing suitable driver accommodations and payment for any park entry, sport facility fees, tolls, or any other such fees incurred.
4. Carrier will not be held responsible for any lost, stolen and/or damaged articles.
5. Special equipment (i.e. DVD, PA, WiFi etc.) and/or specific drivers cannot be guaranteed, but will be taken into consideration. Canada Bus Lines reserves the right to substitute the size/type of motorcoach without compromising group seating.
6. Passenger comfort and the environment are both very important to Canada Bus Lines Inc. Engine idling will be minimized and under the discretion of the driver.
7. Canadian and USA laws strictly prohibit smoking and alcohol consumption on board coaches.
8. The client will be billed for any extra cleaning costs and damages to coach outside normal wear and tear.
9. No standees permitted on charter coaches.
10. Carrier will not be liable for failure to operate a charter due to an act of God or work stoppages.
i. The carrier will make every effort to meet times on contract; however, delays due to weather, road construction and maintenance, road accidents, customs/immigration, border security, etc. are beyond the control of the carrier and not the responsibility of the carrier.
11. Limitation of Liability: Neither party shall be liable to the other party or to any third party for any special, indirect, incidental, punitive, exemplary or consequential damages, including loss of profits, however caused and under any theory of liability (including negligence) arising out of such damages. The total and cumulative liability of the carrier under this agreement shall in no event exceed the total amount of fees received by the carrier from customer under this agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither party excused or limits liability to the other party for death, personal injury or loss or damage to tangible property caused by its negligent, reckless or intentional acts or omissions.
12. The services provided by Canada Bus Lines Inc. are provided on as is, where basis, with all faults, without, except for the representations and warranties set forth in this agreement, any warranties, express or implied, in fact or by law.
Payment and Cancellation Fees
A deposit is required to hold your reservation.
1. General payment terms:
i. Based on your quote, we require a 50% deposit, to secure your charter bus, date(s) and time. Remaining payment is due 30 (thirty) days prior to service is rendered.
ii. All payments are due in full 30 (thirty) business days prior to services rendered unless other prior financial arrangements have been approved by management.
2. Cancellation policy:
i. Cancellation of day trips refund schedule:
· 50% refund of final cost for 7 days or more notice,
· No refund of final cost for less than 7 days in advance notice.
ii. Cancellation of multiple day trips refund schedule:
· 50% refund of final cost for 7 days or more notice,
· No refund of final cost for less than 7 days in advance notice.