The National Safety Code (NSC) of Canada defines a commercial vehicle as a truck, truck-tractor, trailer or semi-trailer or combination thereof exceeding a gross vehicles weight rating (GVWR) of 4,500 Kg, or a bus with a designated seating capacity of more than 10, including the driver.

Commercial vehicles come in all shapes and sizes. In Alberta, a commercial vehicle must not be more than:

• 2.6 metres wide.
• 4.15 metres high off the road surface.
• 12.5 metres in length of any single vehicle.
• 23 metres overall length for a truck and single trailer combination. 25 metres overall length for double trailer combinations.
• 23 metres overall length for a truck-tractor and double trailer combination (if the vehicle doesn't conform to TAC standards).
• 25 metres overall length for TAC vehicle combinations. These include A,B,C trains and tractor semi-trailers. When a tractor semi-trailer has wheel base controls and trailer length controls, the overall length is a little less than 25 metres.

Updated September 26, 2006