Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations

1 An area of a commercial vehicle is a sleeper berth if

• (a) it is designed to be used as sleeping accommodation;

• (b) it is located in the cab of the commercial vehicle or immediately adjacent to the cab and is securely fixed to it;

• (c) it is not located in or on a semi-trailer or a full trailer;

• (d) if it is located in the cargo space, it is securely compartmentalized from the remainder of the cargo space;

• (e) in the case of a bus,

  • (i) it is located in the passenger compartment,

  • (ii) it is at least 1.9 m in length, 60 cm in width and 60 cm in height,

  • (iii) it is separated from the passenger area by a solid physical barrier that is equipped with a door that can be locked,

  • (iv) it provides privacy for the occupant, and

  • (v) it is equipped with a means to significantly limit the amount of light entering the area;

• (f) in the case of a commercial vehicle other than a bus, it is rectangular in shape with at least the following dimensions:

  • (i) 1.9 m in length, measured on the centre line of the longitudinal axis,

  • (ii) 60 cm in width, measured on the centre line of the transverse axis, and

  • (iii) 60 cm in height, measured from the sleeping mattress to the highest point of the area;

• (g) it is constructed so that there are no impediments to ready entrance to or exit from the area;

• (h) there is a direct and readily accessible means of passing from it into the driver’s seat or compartment;

• (i) it is protected against leaks and overheating from the vehicle’s exhaust system;

• (j) it is equipped to provide adequate heating, cooling and ventilation;

• (k) it is reasonably sealed against dust and rain;

• (l) it is equipped with a mattress that is at least 10 cm thick and adequate sheets and blankets so that the occupant can get restful sleep; and

• (m) it is equipped with a means of preventing ejection of the occupant during deceleration of the commercial vehicle, the means being designed, installed and maintained to withstand a total force of 2 700 kg applied toward the front of the vehicle and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.