Canada Clearance?
- Thread starter tcoupe
- Start date
butterfly610
Veteran Expediter
I'm not sure which one it is, but if you go through that list of companies on the home page, I'm pretty positive I saw one that said they don't do any Canada. Also, I think some of companies will let you sign a no Canada contract, which you get less pay I'm sure, but you wouldn't get any load offers for Canada. Some people just turn the loads down that go to Canada, which if you don't ever want to go, you should just do the no Canada contract so they don't wate their time offering the load to someone who has no intentions of going. That's all I know about it....wish I could help more.
Thank you, Butterfly, for your response. It was very helpful and I found the company you suggested. It's nice to know that there will be options, too, with other companies. Does anyone know if there is a way to work at getting both Canada and Government clearance prior to getting on with a company? This is all new to us, and not knowing where to begin! Wanting to get ducks in a row, and research as much as possible before making a change from driving TT in the 48 only.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I am confused, what Canadian clearance?
If you have no DUIs or Felonies, you should not have a single problem with Canada. If you have a passport, then that is a big help.
Actually, my fiance and team partner does have a DUI and Misdemeanor that are ten years old. That's why I was asking if we may have options. We both drive a TT With Class A/Hazmat currently in the US 48, but it's appearing straight truck may not be an option for us since Canada is included in this type of expediting. This surely has become a learning process! Thank you for your reply...
greg334
Veteran Expediter
Yea, Suds there will send you a PM
Really Suds may be saying the same thing, you can go through the 'rehab' program that the Canadian government has and it sort of wipes the DUI off but the other thing, you have to call and ask.
By the way, unless you live on the border, the chances of you going to Canada are not that really great.
Really Suds may be saying the same thing, you can go through the 'rehab' program that the Canadian government has and it sort of wipes the DUI off but the other thing, you have to call and ask.
By the way, unless you live on the border, the chances of you going to Canada are not that really great.
With Landstar you can refuse any and all loads to Canada as well as any other location they service without any negative effect on compensation.
Several drivers have note attached to information on their truck saying NO CANADA that can be viewed by all agents before they would call you to see if you’re interested in handling load.
I have a note in my file saying New York City runs not a problem as well as no HazMat loads. With carrying my motorcycle in box I don’t want any conflict when it comes to HazMat.
The controversy about going to Canada, for those without criminal records and can get in, that is, is because of the hassles involved that are out of your control. There's paperwork that your a broker has to deal with and you're at their mercy when things go wrong with it, even though you did everything 100% perfect. There are border guards that treat you like a terrorist, just because they're bored. There are things that you might normally carry in the truck with you that you cannot cross the border with, like beef jerkey. hehe
I believe that Express-1 says that it is not a requirement to do Canada
Also I believe that Bolt does not require either..
Not sure about the others...
I cannot do Canada either..Felony issue in 1990..
Personally..I could care less...If Canada wants to be that strict..they can have Canada !!!
I feel that their laws are dumb, especially since I have Canadian decent in me..My father was born in Toronta and my Granfather in Quebec City !!
And as Turtle said.. They treat us like Terrorist or something...
Funny thing... Why are so many of them dying to move to the US ???? LOL
Anyways...
Try E-1 or Bolt ..
P.S.
Was talking to a Canadian Trucker the other day...
He was hassled by the Border people trying to get back home in Canada over a half Carton of US Cigs....
Boy was he pissed...
Now he makes sure he has enough Canadian Cigs to last till he gets home...
Also I believe that Bolt does not require either..
Not sure about the others...
I cannot do Canada either..Felony issue in 1990..
Personally..I could care less...If Canada wants to be that strict..they can have Canada !!!
I feel that their laws are dumb, especially since I have Canadian decent in me..My father was born in Toronta and my Granfather in Quebec City !!
And as Turtle said.. They treat us like Terrorist or something...
Funny thing... Why are so many of them dying to move to the US ???? LOL
Anyways...
Try E-1 or Bolt ..
P.S.
Was talking to a Canadian Trucker the other day...
He was hassled by the Border people trying to get back home in Canada over a half Carton of US Cigs....
Boy was he pissed...
Now he makes sure he has enough Canadian Cigs to last till he gets home...
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You all are awesome! I feared the negative responses I would get, but you all gave us hope. Thank you! We want to get out of a TT and into something somewhat smaller as we love the life, the goods and the bads, and are somewhat familar with the rigors and benes of expedited (at least in a TT). As for those questioning getting over the Canada border, which I've personally never done, these sites have some good info- Things to Do in Vancouver BC - Vancouver Tours & Day Trips and Welcome Page | Page d'accueil. Thank you all again, and be safe out there, this winter is ROUGH.
The controversy is just that... controversy and way overdone. The reality of it is quite something else.
There are two main concerns when crossing the border. The load in the box and the people inside the vehicle.
-Ensure your paperwork for the load is in order.
-Ensure your own paperwork and that of your passengers is also in order. A passport is the best bet these days.
-Ensure your rig is presentable both inside and out.
-Be polite and respectful with the border agents.
-Know what is expected and the regulations.
If you have done the above then chances are you won't have any issues. If you do run into an issue simply work through it professionally.
There is also a pile of controversy about running NYC as well which is another one of those issues that has been overblown.
Neither crossing the border nor running NYC are particularly difficult, just don't show up at either location unprepared. Do both enough and you will come to wonder what all the fuss about either was about.
I go into Canada every week . The only headache I have is if the broker (Livingston) fails to process the PARS before I reach the border . I usually fax it in from the shipper 6 hours from the border . Usually I call in 3 hours and am told it's clear . I ALWAYS go to the border even if it hasn't cleared . If it hasn't cleared I am told to go the the broker's office and get things remedied . This usually takes less than 2 hours . If you stop before the border and wait for them to call and tell you you are clear it will be a much longer wait . I always come back empty . The U.S. Customs is a lot bigger hassle than Canadian Customs .
As of now you still don't need a passport although I would advise getting one . A birth certificate and driver's license will suffice . Canadian scale houses are tough . They do a lot of level 1 inspections . Make sure everything is right and organized . I'd recommend getting a Canadian Vehicle Instruction Report book . (Available at J.J. Keller and at Canadian fuel stops ) Their form requires more info like license plate number of truck (and trailer ) , make of truck , location of inspection , and more .
Oh , one problem with border crossings I just remembered while posting in another thread . A team member coming out of the bunk as required for a border crossing interrupts the sleeper hours . If a DOT official later sees the sleeper time shown interrupted and he knows you crossed the border during that time he could cite you with log falsification and disallow the sleeper berth time and put you out of service . Not likely to happen but possible .
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For certain things, like a border crossing, can't the sleeper berth time be interrupted for up to 15 minutes without having to restart it? I dunno, as I'm in a van. Just asking.
Panther won't put placardable hazmat on a van, even the kind that can go on there with no problems, but I used to log a lot with Con-Way NOW, but I never had to deal with logging an interrupted sleeper berth time.
Panther won't put placardable hazmat on a van, even the kind that can go on there with no problems, but I used to log a lot with Con-Way NOW, but I never had to deal with logging an interrupted sleeper berth time.
Time logged in the sleeper berth must be at least 8 consecutive hours or it will be considered on the 14 hour clock . The Revised HOS Regulations, 2005 - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration . If you are in the sleeper for 6 hours , arrive at the border and come out of the sleeper you cannot go back in the sleeper for 2 more hours and log it as 8 consecutive hours .
See question 18 . FAQ: 2005 Revised Hours of Service Frequently Asked Questions Short changes can be flagged but a comment must be written. 10 minutes flagged is not allowed if sleeper berth time is to be considered consecutive .
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3. How does may a drive accumulate 10 consecutive hours off duty?
Guidance: A driver meet the 10 consecutive hours off duty 3 different ways;
1) 10 consecutive hours off duty, or
2) 10 consecutive hours in a sleep berth, or
3) a combination of off duty and sleep berth time totaling 10 consecutive hours
So when you plan to cross the border off duty driver should log it as off duty time not sleeper time and he will be legal.
Crazynuff, thanks for the links.
Guidance: A driver meet the 10 consecutive hours off duty 3 different ways;
1) 10 consecutive hours off duty, or
2) 10 consecutive hours in a sleep berth, or
3) a combination of off duty and sleep berth time totaling 10 consecutive hours
So when you plan to cross the border off duty driver should log it as off duty time not sleeper time and he will be legal.
Crazynuff, thanks for the links.
O.K. here's another debatable issue . According to FMCSA there is no off duty in a truck . See On Duty definitions . FMCSA - Regulation: 395.2 . But I have seen guidelines by the FMCSA that say an unladen truck may be driven a reasonable distance off duty to access food or lodging . What's strange is regulations say you can be off duty at a terminal if relieved of responsibility but they don't apply this exception to trucks . So what do you do when you have to wait a day or two for a load , log on duty all the time you're in the truck or confine yourself to the sleeper ? That's ridiculous but officers have enforced that .