Ontario Truck Compliance Checklist
Everything that needs to be on your truck doors — and what happens at the Vineland scale when it is not.
CVOR Compliance Kit — From $49.99What the Law Says
CVOR Number
O.Reg 424/97- •Both sides of power unit
- •Minimum 50mm (2 inch) height
- •Contrasting colour — must be legible from 15 metres
- •Permanent affixation (vinyl, paint — NOT magnetic)
Registered Owner Name
HTA s.16- •Legal name matching CVOR certificate exactly
- •Both sides of vehicle
- •Operating name (if different) must include "o/a" designation
GVW Rating
O.Reg 424/97- •Gross Vehicle Weight in kilograms
- •Both sides of vehicle
- •Format: "GVW 11,794 KG" or similar
Penalties
- ⚠$200–$2,000 fine per missing element
- ⚠Each missing item is a SEPARATE offence
- ⚠Vehicle placed out of service until corrected
- ⚠Magnetic signs are NOT acceptable — must be permanent
Compliant Door Layout
What They Don't Tell You
MTO pulled me over at the Vineland scale — what are they looking for?
Three things, in this order: (1) CVOR number visible and legible — they check this before you even stop. (2) Registered owner name matches your CVOR certificate exactly. (3) GVW in kilograms. If any are missing, faded, or wrong, you are getting a Schedule 1 defect and your truck is placed out of service on the spot. You are not driving it away until the lettering is fixed.
My CVOR number changed — how fast do I need new decals?
Immediately. There is no grace period. The moment MTO issues a new CVOR number, your old decals are displaying the wrong number. That is a violation. Order replacement decals before you change your CVOR — have them ready to apply the same day.
What is the difference between CVOR number, unit number, and fleet number?
CVOR number is your carrier registration with MTO — required by law on every power unit. Unit number is YOUR internal fleet identifier — not legally required but recommended. Fleet number is sometimes used by large carriers for dispatch. Only the CVOR number is legally mandated for display.
Do my trailers need markings too?
Yes — registered owner name is required on trailers. CVOR number is required on power units (trucks, tractors) but not trailers. However, GVW for the combination must be displayed. Many carriers put CVOR on trailers anyway for easy identification during inspections.
I am crossing into the US — what EXTRA markings do I need?
USDOT number (both sides, min 2 inch) + MC number if you are a for-hire carrier. These are FMCSA requirements under 49 CFR 390.21, completely separate from Ontario CVOR. You need BOTH sets of markings — Canadian AND American. We sell a cross-border compliance kit with all four: CVOR + Company Name + USDOT + MC.
Magnetic signs count as permanent lettering, right?
No. MTO explicitly considers magnetic signs as temporary and non-compliant. O.Reg 424/97 requires permanently affixed markings. Magnetic signs blow off at highway speeds, fall off in rain, and get stolen at truck stops. Vinyl lettering that is properly applied to a clean surface is permanent and compliant.
How We Compare
| DIY (hardware store vinyl) | Local Sign Shop | Compliance Lettering | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $15-30 + your time | $150-400 | From $49.99 |
| Compliance guarantee | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — correct size, format, regulation-cited |
| Ships same day | ❌ No | ❌ 3-7 days | ✅ Yes |
| Material | Unknown | Varies | Premium 7-year outdoor vinyl |
| Pre-spaced | ❌ No | Maybe | ✅ Yes — peel and stick |
| MTO regulation knowledge | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ Every product cites the regulation |
Get Compliant Today
CVOR Door Decals
From $49.99
CVOR number, both sides, 2 inch or 3 inch, 7-year vinyl
GVW Weight Decals
From $24.99
Gross Vehicle Weight in kg, MTO compliant
CVOR + USDOT Kit
From $39.99
Cross-border kit: CVOR + USDOT + Company Name