Overview
Safety permits are those issued by the Registrar for exemptions to federal and provincial safety laws (for example, hours of service or record keeping requirements).
Regulations, which come into effect on January 1, 2021, will reduce the number of permits industry must obtain, saving time and money while maintaining safety of Alberta highways. The regulation includes adding new vehicles, increased weight and dimensions for specific vehicles, and definitions, as outlined in the Revised Exemption and Dimension Permits chart. See the Weight and dimensions regulations page for more information on required permits.
Before you apply
Before applying for a safety permit, review the sample permit conditions carefully to ensure the permit you’re applying for meets your business needs. You should also ensure you follow all permit conditions.
Sample permit conditions
How to apply online
Safety permit applications are available online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through Transportation Online Services.
The following documents can help with your online application:
- Fact sheet: Carrier & Vehicle Safety Online Permit System
- Walkthrough of Carrier & Vehicle Safety Online Permit Applications
- Entering Driver and Vehicle Information
- Permit Renewals through the Online System
- Updating Permit Information Prior to Expiry
Existing account
- Go to Online Services and login with your username and password.
- Go to the 'My Account' link and request to add the 'Carrier & Vehicle Safety Permits' service to the account options.
- Pay the permit fees.
- This service addition may take one or 2 business days to process.
New accounts
Carriers that do not have access to Online Services must register for an account.
- Go to the Online Services page and select 'Register' under the 'Need a User ID?' link.
- Follow the instructions provided.
- Pay the permit fees.
- Registration may take up to 3 business days to process.
- Information related to the login ID and password will be emailed to the account holder following finalization of the registration.
Direct any questions related to account options, service additions or registration problems to Carrier & Vehicle Safety.
Permit fees
A non-refundable application fee of $55 is required for all permit applications.
CAODC and water well permits are $100, which are issued every 5 years.
Government agencies and Partners in Compliance (PIC) carriers are exempt from all application fees.
Online applications must be paid by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or 'On-Account' (if you possess a valid account in our system).
For credit card payments processed online, the applicant enters their cardholder data through a secure payment page powered by TD Merchant Services.
Benefits of the Online Permit System
- Shortens carrier wait time.
- Automatic email notification regarding application status.
- Official permit document with attachments can be emailed directly to the carrier.
- Online applications can be 'copied' for easy renewals.
- Electronic records of a carrier's permits can be reviewed at any time.
- Applicable fees are waived for PIC carriers and government agencies.
After you apply
Once you submit your application, it is automatically sent to us for review.
If the permit application is approved, you will receive an email that contains an official copy of the permit document(s) and receipt of payment.
If the application has been declined, you will receive an email with review comments.
Permit application review process
The Registrar reviews each permit application to determine eligibility. The review verifies if the carrier:
- maintains an 'Excellent' or 'Satisfactory' Safety Fitness Rating
- has a 'Satisfactory Unaudited' Safety Fitness Rating – the carrier may be issued a reduced permit term for the Registrar to evaluate the carrier's eligibility for the permit, and to assess the upgrade of their Safety Fitness Rating to 'Satisfactory'
- has a history of non-compliance to NSC regulatory requirements or other safety permits and has an acceptable out of service rate and fatigue violation rate.
If a carrier meets the above requirements and there is no foreseen adverse impact on public safety, a permit may be issued.
To consider upgrading a Safety Fitness Rating, the carrier must:
- have valid commercial vehicle registrations for the past 12 consecutive months
- not be at any monitoring stage in the past 12 months for collisions, convictions or Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance inspections
- receive an acceptable score on an Alberta NSC audit conducted in the last 24 months
- not be subject to an ongoing investigation or audit
Contact
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