On-duty and Off-duty

The daily log records the number of hours spent in each duty-status.

What counts as on-duty time?
Time spent working for any carrier is on-duty. This includes driving and non-driving work such as:

• vehicle inspections
• servicing vehicles
• travelling as a co-driver if not in the sleeper berth
• participating in loading or unloading
• fueling
• inspecting or checking a load
• waiting for the vehicle to be serviced, loaded, unloaded, or dispatched
• waiting along the route because of an accident or other delay
• performing any work for any carrier, including volunteer work

What counts as off-duty time?
Definition: Time spent not working for any carrier – for example:

• meal breaks
• sleeping
• other personal use (maximum 75 km per day)

(Note: you will learn about the “sleeper berth” status later in this module.)

Tip: In order to be considered off-duty, your driver must be relieved of all responsibility for the care and custody of the vehicle and its accessories, passengers, and cargo. If your driver is stopped, they must be able to do activities of their own choosing and to leave the vehicle in order for their time to be considered off-duty.