Do you have a question for the CVSE? Contact them directly here.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement Branch (CVSE) makes sure commercial carriers comply with the regulations surrounding moving goods across the province. It is a vital component of the work we do here in the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Steve Bauer, former Supervisor of the Nordel Weigh Scale in the Lower Mainland, took time to answer some questions about his position and the role of the CVSE in keeping commercial transportation moving safely across the province.
Q: What does a day in the life of a CVSE officer look like?
A: Actually, no two days here are ever really alike. The station is a constantly changing environment with new faces and new scenarios on a daily basis. Did you know that the Nordel Weigh Scale sees approximately 350 trucks per hour? That adds up to an incredible amount of volume in a single day.
Traffic volumes like that require a tight knit team and I can honestly say that we have a real camaraderie here at the station. I am currently supported by seven (soon to be nine) full time staff. Our Commercial Transport Inspector, whose position resides solely at the scale, will be joined by two more full time Inspectors at the end of March. There also are four Commercial Transport Enforcement Officers (CTEOs) at the station. They have a unique hybrid role which allows them to be both mobile and stationary at the scale when required. In addition to those officers, we recently welcomed two new staff members to our team who are in the training process to become CTEOs. Commercial Transport Enforcement Officers spend the majority of their day on the road seeking out evasive offenders who do not check into the weigh scales. Their patrol is focussed on, but not limited to: Delta, Richmond, New Westminster and Burnaby.
Q: Which leads to our next question; could you explain why the CVSE is so invaluable to the safety of the travelling public?
A: CVSE officers are, quite literally, experts in the field of commercial vehicle transportation safety and regulation. The decisions they make regarding compliance and enforcement, keep the province’s highways safer for the motoring public. It doesn’t get much bigger than that.
Q: What sort of questions do you hear most often about Commercial Vehicle Safety Enforcement?
A: Actually, I hear a lot of questions and sometimes people think their question is kind of silly, so, would like to stress that there are no silly questions. It is important for everyone to know that CVSE officers are here to answer any questions they might have and to use us as much as possible. We are trained in a variety of Provincial Acts and Regulation, Policies and Procedures which allows us to help educate drivers and would rather answer a hundred silly questions, than have to enforce compliance because no one asked.
Steve has been working with the CVSE for 13 years, and before joining the team, he worked in the trucking industry, driving North/South between Oregon, Washington and BC. His experience in the commercial trucking industry gives him the ability to understand life behind the wheel as well as life behind the scale. Thanks for sharing Steve!
If you have some questions about CVSE and the work they do, check out their Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Page.
Non commercial tractor trailer 6 axles. GVW 36000 KG. Do we have to fil out a dvir & log book. Its a private vehicle hauling my own goods.
Great question Vern, and we recommend you ask the folks at CVSE directly. Here’s a link to their contact info page: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/vehicle-safety-enforcement/information-education/contacts
Hi there,
I have issues with power steering on my Tractor should this be an issue on the highway? Thank you
Good morning KJ – if you are driving a commercial vehicle or a farm vehicle, it should be in good working order before you travel. If you have any specific questions about what to do – please contact the CVSE directly. We’ve included a link below for you: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/vehicle-safety-enforcement/information-education/contacts
Is it required to put GVW and or Tare decals on a commercial vehicle weighing 8800kg?
Great question Kev – we’ve sent your question to the CVSE for an answer. Stay tuned.
Hello Kev – here’s what we heard back from the CVSE:
The only requirement for decaling under the NSC program in BC is the name of the carrier:
Name of carrier to be marked on business vehicle.
37.071 A carrier who holds a safety certificate must ensure that whenever a business vehicle in respect of which that safety certificate is held is being operated on a highway, the name of the carrier who holds the safety certificate for the vehicle is displayed on both sides of the vehicle
(a)in one or both of letters and figures at least 5 cm high, and
(b)in a manner that makes that name clearly visible to the public.
[en. B.C. Reg. 414/99, s. 9.]
Alberta does require TARE/GVW, etc.
We hope that this information is helpful. Safe travels.
Do you have to report to the scales if you are in a plow truck?
Hi John. The maintenance contractor, in the course of snow removal, does not need to report to scales (as stated in the maintenance agreement). The maintenance contractor is also exempted from size in the Commercial Transport Act Regulations 7.04(2).
Any other snow plows over 5,500 kg are required to report to weigh scales.
Hi CVSE Does a semi-trailer with a 20 ton load have to report to a scale in BC to cross the border into the United States. Thank You Mel
Hi Mel,
Great question. We encourage you to connect directly with our staff at the weigh scale to confirm.
Here is a list of scales and their numbers.
https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/inspection_stations.htm
Hi, I drive a company 2020 Ford F350 pick up truck. Are we required to report to the scales when not towing or carrying anything in the box? There is mixed messages within the compnay that we are still required to drive through the inspection facility but no on the scale lane. I just wanted to confirm if this is a legal requirement? Thanks.
Good afternoon Todd,
Thanks for your question. All commercial vehicles with a licensed GVW exceeding 5,500 kg are required to report to scales. Vehicles are checked at the scales for important safety items, even when they are not towing or carrying anything in their box. Hope that this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, we encourage you to find the number of the nearest scale station to you. They would be happy to answer any questions. Here’s the list of contact info:
https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/inspection_stations.htm
I am driving a small 4×4… and have an apporx 1500 LB travel trailer … Am I allowed to use the truck scales to check my weight? Can I come when the scale is open or do I need to use it when it is closed to minimize disruption to commercial users.
Thank you
Hi Gareth – thanks for connecting with us here. You are free to use the scales however, inspection stations are complemented with mobile patrol units. Therefore station hours vary due to patrol, staffing and operational requirements. We are posting a link to inspection stations below and encourage you to call before you head out, to make sure the scale is open.
https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/inspection_stations.htm
I have a motor home that I would like to check to make sure it is not over loaded. Where can I go to get it weighed? I live in Prince George.
Good morning Gordon!
Here is a list of inspection stations in BC. You are welcome to take your motor home to the one closest to you to be weighed. Safe travels!
https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/inspection_stations.htm
Hey. Me and my wife are on a bike trip in BC and a friend of mine bought a semi here so we are picking it up and taking it back to sask with us. We will be bob tailing with my bike in the back. With it being non commercial and a private journey do we still have to stop at a scale. Many thanks.
Hi Paul. If the semi/vehicle has a licensed GVW rating exceeding 5,500 kg, then it must report to the weigh scales in BC. Safe travels!
1. Is there a requirement for additional class of BC Drivers Licence on non-commercial oversize load?
2. Where can I hire a contractor to weigh my custom built trail prior to moving it from site of manufacture relative to GVW for insurance purposes?
Hi Shawn – these are great questions – thanks for connecting here with us about them. We think you might be best to connect directly with the CVSE about them though, as they might have some further questions for you. Here’s their contact info: CVSEgeneralinquiry@gov.bc.ca
Hi, Class A tractor, fog light lens is broken, but light still works, is it out of service?
Hi Vik,
We’ve sent your question to our staff with CVSE. We will let you know what we hear back.
Hello again Vik,
Fog lights are considered an optional light and a fog light violation would not consider the vehicle out of service. Hope this is helpful!
I have a Searay 33 which is 11’6″ do i need a pilot car when having this move. I know I need a permit
Hi Ken – good question. We encourage you to send your question to the CVSE on this one directly. Their email is Commercial.Transport@gov.bc.ca
I have 1 2018 Ram 1500 that weighs about 5200lbs, Manufacture rates the vehicle to tow 10,600lbs. I have a 9900lb GVW trailer that i will be towing for work use. Would I require an NSC code for this? I am slightly confused on if its just the weight rating of the truck or the combined weight.
Thank you
Hello Stuart and thanks for your message.
A NSC is required when the Gross Vehicle Weight exceeds 5000kgs (he references pounds) and the vehicle is being operated commercially. The Gross Vehicle Weight is the combined weight of the truck, trailer, and any load being carried. The minimum GVW a vehicle can be insured for with commercial insurance is 1.5x the net weight (which is just the vehicles weight).
If you do require business/commercial insurance, since we assume you aren’t hauling that much for personal use, you will need an NSC and can apply on our website here: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/national_safety_code/nsc_application.htm
Hi there, I have a new pickup truck and I have a camper that I want to weigh. Can I hit up any of the highway scales with an empty truck to weigh the truck, and then come back thru once the camper is on the truck to get the final weight of the camper ???
Hi Derek – you sure can.
Here’s a list of weigh scales and operation hours:
https://www.th.gov.bc.ca/cvse/inspection_stations.htm
Yes, no problem. Do it all the time.
I would like to convert new 20 foot seacan(s) into pullable trailer on the roads. We also have a fabrication shop certified to the Canadian Welding Bureau Welders where this modification would take place. I would weld 2-5000lb or 2-7500 lb axles on the underside of the seacan with a hitch connection on the front. I would like to modify a few for mobile offices and a few for tool trailers on sites. The new seacans can carry a maximum of 10,000 lbs which would be over what we could carry on the roads. Our company fleet trucks are licensed for up to 8200 kg. I do not want to put the seacan on a flatdeck because then the total weight of the truck, occupants, trailer & seacan would be close to the 8200 kg limit. If acceptable, I would follow all highway regulations, width, height, lights, brakes, etc. Would there have to be an inspection performed before licensing? Would there be specific requirements you could email to me? Where would this inspection be performed in Prince George?
Thank-you
Mark
Hi Mark – great question!
We think that this is best asked directly to the good folks in the CVSE at Commercial.Transport@gov.bc.ca
I have an f350 gvw of 8199kg and nsc#. I am considering buying a dump trailer with 9900lb gvw. Are there any concerns that I need be aware of? Do I require any licence upgrades?
Great question Greg – we have sent it to the good folks in the CVSE and will let you know what we hear back.
Hi Greg! Here’s what we heard back:
You will want to ensure you are not exceeding any of their manufacturers ratings for the power unit or trailer and that their licensed GVW is high enough to include the weight of the fully loaded truck and trailer. As for licensing, if you have a class 4 or 5 you would require a heavy trailer endorsement if the weight exceeds 4,600 kg. A trailer at 9900 lbs, which is 4,491 kg, would be just under that requirement.
Do non-commercial vehicles have to stop at weigh scales
Hi James – could you tell us the GVW of the vehicle you are referring to?