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CVOR Ontario

Welcome to

Please scroll down for most common questions we got to answer during 5 years of helping people get their CVOR.

Questions include:

How to apply?
Do I need to register a business to apply?
Can I apply with G license?
Can I apply without a driver license?
How long does it take?

and many more.

What is a CVOR?

A person obtains a driver license as a proof they can drive a vehicle.

A company obtains a CVOR license as a proof it can operate commercial transport.

In short, a CVOR is a driver license for commercial transport issued to a company (or an individual operating as a business).

A driver license is a piece of plastic.

A CVOR certificate is a piece of paper as shown below.

SAMPLE CVOR CERTIFICATE

Who will ask for a CVOR license?

Insurance agent during insurance application / renewal.
Service Ontario clerk when you plate your vehicle or renew sticker.
An enforcement officer conducting a road-side inspection (police, OPP, MTO).

Are you exempt?

I had a number of people call me to find out that they were incorrectly instructed by various parties including Service Ontario to obtain CVOR registration.

In a nutshell, you (your vehicle is exempt), if:

- you're using a vehicle for personal (non- commercial) purposes

- it weighs under 4,500 kg (commercial or non-commercial purpose)

What does 4,500 kg consist of?

The weight of

+ Truck

+ Trailer

+ Cargo

+ Fuel

+ Driver

+ Everything that pushes onto the ground

================================

Total Weight:

As long as 'total weight' (Gross Weight) is under 4,500 kg, you don't need a CVOR to operate that truck or truck&trailer (regardless of weight).

A personal use pickup truck is exempt.

A personal-use pickup truck means a pickup truck that:

is being used for personal purposes without compensation
has a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating of 6,500 kg (14,330 lb) or less, and is fitted with either:
- the original box that was installed by the manufacturer, which has not been modified, or
- a replacement box that duplicates the one that was installed by the manufacturer and has not been modified
is not carrying or towing a trailer carrying commercial cargo or tools or equipment of a type normally used for commercial purposes

What else can you do without a CVOR?

You can get a transit permit. For example, to get your safety done.

You can transfer the ownership of the vehicle. You only need CVOR to buy a plate for the vehicle. You can still transfer a vehicle in your name (provided other conditions are met), and you can leave it unplated.

Detailed Exemption List

A truck or bus leased by an individual for 30 days or less to move their personal goods, or to carry passengers at no fare
An unladen truck or bus operating under the authority of a dealer plate or service plate
A bus used for personal purposes without compensation
A motor home used for personal purposes
A pickup truck used for personal purposes (see above)
A truck under 4,500kg of gross weight (regardless of use purpose)

Vehicles that require CVOR

Trucks, tractors, mobile equipment vehicles or trailers and/or any combination of these vehicles that have a registered gross weight or actual weight of more than 4,500 kilograms
Tow trucks, regardless of registered gross weight or actual weight
Buses with a manufactured seating capacity of 10 persons or more, excluding the driver
Accessible vehicles and school purposes vehicles, depending upon use

What is the application process

NOTE: the process below is current of Jun 13th, 2022

Step 1: Send in your application (Online or Fax/Mail)

CVOR Apply Online is the link to apply for CVOR Online

You will need to create a "ONE KEY" account, if you don't have one already
Do enter your Driver's license info and upload a copy (even though it's listed as 'optional')

Alternatively you can apply by Fax or Mail,

Fill your PDF application (download CVOR Application from Central Forms Repository of Service Ontario: click here to access)

Step 2: Wait for a letter "CVOR Test Required"

Ontario based carriers will receive a letter, instructing them to take the written test
The application processing times vary between 6-10 weeks

Step 3: Take the test at DriveTest center

take the letter "Written Test Required" together with documentation listed on the letter to the nearest DriveTest Center facility (appointment is not required)
the letter will list specific individuals who can take the test (applicant, director/owner)

Step 4: Receive CVOR certificate

DriveTest center will send your test results to CVOR Processing Unit
The CVOR Office will conduct a final review of the file, and
issue a CVOR certificate (within 1-2 business days, usually delivered by email)

Free Guide

A guide on how to fill and submit your CVOR application.

Includes the updated list of supporting documentation, and

and exhausting Q&A section.

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Do You Qualify For The Turn-Key Package

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CVOR Turnkey

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Common Questions

Do I need to register a business to apply?

Registering a business is not required. You can submit a 'personal' application. To do so, choose "Personal" on interactive PDF or simply print PDF file marked personal application.

It is recommended to apply for a CVOR license as a corporation. By having this setup you shield your personal assets from third party liability. Note that registering a "Master Business License" or a "Trade Name" is NOT the same as registering a corporation. Trade Name for all legal intents and purposes is the same as personal application.

For people registering under a trade name, select "personal" type of application.

Can I apply with a G license?

Yes. An individual/corporation is not required to have a driver license to apply for CVOR.

They do need to ensure that whoever is driving their vehicles has a valid and adequate driver license.

Scenario: Gary bought a 11,000kg dump truck.

Gary has a G license, Gary applies for CVOR and get his authority.

Gary hires David with D license to drive his 11,000kg dump truck.

This scenario is legitimate and common.

Can I apply without a driver license?

Yes. An individual/corporation is not required to have a driver license to apply for CVOR.

They do need to ensure that whoever is driving their vehicles has a valid and adequate driver license.

Scenario: Gary bought a 11,000kg dump truck.

Gary has a G license, Gary applies for CVOR and get his authority.

Gary hires David with D license to drive his 11,000kg dump truck.

This scenario is legitimate and common.

When can I operate?

You can operate once you have certificate in your hands.

Submitting application, and/or passing required does not qualify person/company to operate "CVOR" vehicle.

How to prepare for the test?

The ministry does provide a 300 pg "commercial vehicle operators safety manual".

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/commercial-vehicle-operators-safety-manual/

Many people find it overwhelming. Hence, our company offers many different training options for all skill levels.

Where can I take CVOR test?

If you have this question, then you either:

did not apply, or
did not receive "Written Test Required" letter after applying

You want to submit your CVOR application first, and wait for the letter. The "Written Test Required" letter will outline where, how and when you can take a CVOR test.

Note, that you cannot walk into Service Ontario or DriveTest Ontario and apply/take a test there. You need to apply using the process outlined on the application form. CVOR application office is central to all of Ontario and is located in St. Catherines, Ontario. For all intents and purposes, there is no "walk-in" option.

How to contact the ministry regarding your CVOR Questions?

The following offices are not useful in providing any CVOR related information, which includes any and all particular questions you have regarding your particular case:

ServiceOntario - you can only get your truck plates there. they simply check whether or not you do have a CVOR or not. Secondly, there's been a few cases where ServiceOntario would provide an outdated CVOR application form.
DriveTest Ontario - you can only take a CVOR test there. No updates to your particular file are possible through this agency.

To reach out the CVOR office directly, use the following:

1-800-387-7736

Be prepared to find your way through the maze of choices, but it is possible to get to a live person.

Be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time and hold. Any automated assistant on your phone that can hold for you is very very useful.

cvor@ontario.ca

As of February 2023 the email response time had grown to three to four weeks, as such if your request is urgent I suggest you exercise the phone option above.