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Part of Operating vehicles safely

Vehicle standards

Requirements and standards for all vehicles, including commercial vehicles, long combination to bicycles, and off-highway vehicles.

Commercial vehicles

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Regulation requires commercial vehicles to comply with vehicle standards and stay in good working order with regular maintenance.

  • School buses must comply with the requirements of the Canadian Standards Association School Buses Standard (CSA D-250).
  • Buses and trucks with a licensed mass of more than 11,794 kg must complete trip inspection reports and carry the applicable schedule from the National Safety Code Standard 13 (NSC-13).
  • Trucks with a licensed mass of more than 4500 kg must secure cargo in accordance with the National Safety Code Standard 10 (NSC-10).
  • Carriers are required to have an effective maintenance and inspection program.
  • Outlines school bus operation requirements.
  • Allows the operation of Mobile Treatment Centres on a roadway when an ambulance is not available.
  • Allows the operation of driveaway and towaway combinations for the transportation of new vehicles to dealerships.

All vehicles

The Vehicle Equipment Regulation establishes the equipment standards and requirements for all vehicles, from large commercial truck combinations to bicycles operating on our roadways:

  • lighting and reflector requirements for motor vehicles and trailers – headlamps, tail lamps, brake lamps, signal lamps, side marker lamps, identification lamps, and license plate lamps
  • flashing lamp standards for police vehicles, ambulances, fire fighting vehicles, tow trucks, schools buses, and other vehicles
  • brakes
  • seat belts, child restraint systems, and occupant restraint systems
  • other equipment including horns, mufflers, mudguards, windows and windshields, mirrors, speedometers and odometers, bumpers, and more
  • allows recreational vehicle combination up to 20 metres in length
  • bicycle and motorcycle helmets

Off-highway vehicles

Alberta’s Off-Highway Vehicle Regulation establishes the equipment standards, registration and operation requirements for the use of off-highway vehicles:

  • registration and license plate requirements and fees
  • age restrictions for operation and registration
  • lighting requirements for headlamps and tail lamps
  • muffler requirements
  • helmet requirements
  • 30 day registration exemption for visitors
  • insurance exemptions for trappers and fishers

Motorbikes and mopeds

Find definitions for power bicycles and mopeds in Alberta's Use of Highway and Rules of the Road Regulation.

Resources

To view or obtain specific vehicle standards, visit:

Contact

Connect with Vehicle Standards:

Phone: 780-427-8901
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-988-7628
Email: [email protected]

Address:
Vehicle Standards
Room 109
Main Floor, Twin Atria Building
4999 98 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T6B 2X3

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