Legislation

These Acts and regulations govern truck driving in Ontario.

1. The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and the following regulations govern the driver, the vehicle and equipment, weight and numbers of passengers that a driver can carry: Commercial Motor Vehicle Inspections Reg. 199/07; Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators’ Information Reg. 424/97; Covering of Loads R.R.O. 1990. Reg. 577; Critical Defects of Commercial Motor Vehicles O.Reg. 512/97; Equipment R.R.O. 1990. Reg. 587; Hours of Service O.Reg. 555/06; Safety Inspections R.R.O. 1990. Reg. 611; Security of Loads O.Reg. 363/04.
2. Dangerous Goods Transportation Act regulates the transportation of dangerous goods, including required documentation, handling, safety markings (labels and placards) and the certification of drivers.

Transporting dangerous goods

There are nine classes of dangerous goods ranging from corrosives and flammable liquids to environmentally hazardous materials. Drivers transporting dangerous goods must receive training from their current employer. The employer determines the level of training required. Once training is successfully completed, the employer issues the driver a certificate that must be carried when transporting dangerous goods.

For further information on dangerous goods training, visit the Transport Canada website.

Driver's licence classification chart

Class A

Allowed to drive any tractor-trailer combination
May also drive vehicle in class D and G

Class B

Allowed to drive any school-purposes bus
May also drive vehicle in class C, D, E, F and G

Class C

Allowed to drive any regular bus
May also drive vehicles in class D, F and G.

Class D

Allowed to drive a motor vehicle exceeding 11,000 kilograms gross weight or registered gross weight or any truck or combination provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms may also drive vehicles in Class G

Class E

School-purposes bus – maximum of 24-passenger capacity

Class F

Allowed to drive any regular bus - maximum of 24-passenger capacity - and ambulances may also drive vehicle in class G

Class G

Allowed to drive any car, van or small truck or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kilograms provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms. A pickup truck towing a house trailer exceeds 4,600 kilograms but the total combined weight of the truck and trailer does not exceed 11,000 kilograms is deemed a Class G.

Class G1

Level One of graduated licensing. Holders may drive Class G vehicles with an accompanying fully licensed driver with at least four years’ driving experience. Subject to certain conditions.

Class G2

Level Two of graduated licensing. Holders may drive Class G vehicles without accompanying driver but are subject to certain conditions.

Class M

Allowed to drive any motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds). Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.

Class M1

Level One of graduated licensing for motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds). Holders may drive a motorcycle under certain conditions.

Class M2

Level Two of graduated licensing for motorcycles, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds). Holders may drive a motorcycle but only with a zero blood-alcohol level. Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.

Class M with L condition

Holders may operate a limited-speed motorcycle or moped only.

Class M2 with L condition

Holders may operate a limited-speed motorcycle or moped only.

Class M with M condition

Holders may operate a motor tricycle only.

Class M2 with M condition

Holders may operate a motor tricycle only.

Note: A "Z" air brake endorsement is required on a driver's licence to operate any air brake equipped motor vehicle.