New online learning module

On September 1, 2023, Ontario is introducing a new online air brake learning module to replace the in-person air brake knowledge test at time of renewal. Learn more about how to renew.

Overview

The type of truck licence you need in Ontario depends on:

  • the weight of the truck, towed vehicle and their combined weight
  • whether the vehicle is a tractor trailer
  • whether or not the vehicle has air brakes

All licences require a written test and a road test. You may also need to take a government-approved training course.

If you have a truck driver’s licence from another province, your Ontario licence will be the same class. To upgrade your licence, you must take the tests in an approved vehicle.

Class A licence

Full Class A licence

The full Class A truck licence is the only licence that covers full air brake systems on both tractors and trailers.

What you can drive

A full Class AZ (air brake endorsement) truck licence lets you drive:

  • any truck/tractor trailer combination
  • a combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight of 4,600 kg (10,000 lbs) and has air brakes
  • a vehicle pulling double trailers
  • a car or light truck covered by a Class G licence
  • heavy trucks covered by the Class D truck licence
  • any vehicle covered under a restricted Class A truck licence

A Class A licence does not allow you to drive a bus carrying passengers, a motorcycle or a moped.

Requirements

To get a full Class A licence with no restrictions, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • hold a valid Ontario licence other than G1, G2, M, M1 or M2
  • pass a vision test
  • submit a valid medical report
  • pass a knowledge test about operating large trucks and tractor-trailers
  • complete a mandatory entry level training course  
  • pass a road test using a vehicle that meets the requirements for a full Class A

For your road test, your vehicle must have:

  • a trailer with a Manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of at least 4,600 kg
  • a full air brake system on both the truck/tractor and trailer
  • manual transmission that consists of at least eight forward gears with a high-low range

If your vehicle does not meet requirements for a full Class A, you may either:

Restricted Class A licence

What you can drive

You can get a restricted Class A (condition R) licence to operate smaller truck-trailer combinations, such as a recreational, horse or utility trailer.

As of July 1, 2022, the type of transmission in the vehicle you use for your road test will determine what types of Class A trucks you can drive in Ontario.

With a restricted Class A licence, you can also drive:

  • a car or light truck covered by a Class G licence
  • heavy trucks covered by the Class D truck licence

What you can't drive

With a restricted Class A licence, you can't:

  • pull a trailer equipped with air brakes
  • drive a full-size tractor-trailer
  • drive a vehicle pulling a double trailer
  • train another driver on a vehicle that requires full Class A privileges to drive

Requirements

To get a restricted Class A licence, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • hold a valid Ontario licence other than G1, G2, M, M1 or M2
  • pass a vision test
  • submit a valid medical report
  • pass a knowledge test about operating large trucks and tractor-trailers
  • pass a road test using a vehicle that meets the requirements for Class A (R)

To upgrade your licence to a full Class A, you must successfully complete a road test using a vehicle with a full Class A vehicle configuration.

Class A manual transmission restriction

As of July 1, 2022, you must complete your Class A or Class A restricted (AR) road test in a vehicle with a manual transmission that consists of at least eight forward gears with a high-low range or you will get a restriction on your licence. If you have a restriction, you cannot operate Class A/AR vehicles with a manual transmission in Ontario. You can only operate automatic, semi-automatic or automated-manual transmission Class A/AR vehicles.

A motor vehicle is considered to have a manual transmission if it has:

  • a driver-operated clutch that is activated by a pedal or lever
  • a driver operated gear-shift mechanism (operated by hand or foot and does not use the assistance of automation)

The restriction will be noted on your driver record and driver’s licence. It will not apply when operating lower-class vehicles such as Class G or D.

This restriction does not apply to anyone who completed their Class A/AR road test before July 1, 2022.

Class D licence

A Class D licence lets you drive:

  • a truck with a gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 11,000 kg (24,000 lbs)
  • any truck or truck and towed vehicle combination of more than 11,000 kg (24,000 lbs) gross weight or registered gross weight, provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kg (10,000 lbs). If the towed vehicle weighs more than 4,600 kg, you will need either a full Class A or restricted Class A licence.

With a Class D licence, you can also drive a car or light truck covered by a G Class licence.

Requirements

To apply for a Class D licence, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • hold a valid Ontario licence other than G1, G2, M, M1 or M2
  • pass a vision test
  • submit a medical report
  • pass a knowledge test about operating large trucks
  • pass a road test using a vehicle that meets the requirements for a Class D

How to apply

To apply and take the required tests, visit:

You will need to bring original identification that shows:

  • your legal name
  • date of birth
  • your signature

Accepted identity documents

See the complete list of accepted documents

Fees

You will need to pay a fee to apply for a licence and take the written test.

See the list of fees

Studying for the knowledge test

Ontario's Official MTO Truck Handbook will help you prepare for your written knowledge test. It covers the special regulations and driving skills truck drivers need to know. You can read the handbook online, or buy a hard copy online, at a DriveTest and ServiceOntario centres or other retail stores.

Preparing for the road test

The road test will test the knowledge and skills required to safely operate a commercial vehicle. It will include a daily vehicle inspection test where you will be required to:

  • inspect six randomly generated items from the schedule
  • demonstrate and describe how each item should be inspected
  • explain any potential defect(s)
  • describe what actions you would take upon identifying the defect

There will also be an in-cab check portion of the test where you must:

  • point to or touch all items listed
  • demonstrate and describe how each item should be inspected

For all commercial class road tests, you must provide the driver examiner with a valid daily inspection report as well as the schedule for your vehicle or your road test will be cancelled and you will lose 50% of your pre-paid road test fee. You are encouraged to refer to your schedule as necessary during the daily vehicle inspection component of the test.

Booking a road test

To book a road test appointment, you will need to provide:

  • your valid Ontario driver's licence number
  • preferred location for taking the test
  • a second and third choice of location
  • a preferred date and time

You can book, cancel or reschedule a road test appointment directly through DriveTest:

You must cancel a test at least 48 hours before your appointment to avoid a cancellation fee.

Important notice: a mandatory entry-level training course must be successfully completed by all new Class A applicants before attempting their Class A road test.

Air brake (Z) endorsement program

If you want to drive a vehicle with an air brake or an air-over-hydraulic brake system, you need a Z endorsement on your driver’s licence in Ontario. You can do this by attending an air brake endorsement course, or by doing tests at a DriveTest centre.

Air brake endorsement course

You can take an air brake endorsement course from a:

  • vehicle fleet owner
  • community college
  • safety organization

If you have a Class A (Z) licence that you want to upgrade, you can take the course through any of the three options.

If you have a B, C, D, E, F or G licence, you need to take the course with a vehicle fleet owner.

After the course

You will receive a referral envelope. Take the envelope to a DriveTest centre within 6 months to get your air brake endorsement.

Official Air Brake Handbook

Ontario's Official Air Brake Handbook will help you prepare for your knowledge test. It will introduce you to the knowledge and skills you need to drive a vehicle with air brakes. You can read the handbook online or buy a hard copy online, at a DriveTest centre or other retail stores.

Take the knowledge test

You will need to take an air brake knowledge test at a DriveTest centre.

Fees

You will need to pay a fee to take the air brake (Z) endorsement knowledge test or the practical test.

See the list of fees

Book a practical test

After your knowledge test, you can book a practical test appointment. To book your test, you need:

  • your valid Ontario driver's licence number
  • a preferred location for taking the test
  • a second and third choice of location
  • a preferred date and time

You can book, cancel or reschedule a practical test appointment directly through DriveTest.

You need to cancel a test at least 48 hours ahead of your appointment to avoid a cancellation fee.

Test versions

There are two versions of the practical test.

If you drive a commercial vehicle with a tractor-trailer air brake system, you will need to take Version 1 of the practical test.

If you do not have a tractor-trailer air brake system, you can take Version 2.

Bring the following with you to your practical test:

  • wheel chocks or blocks
  • a stopwatch or watch with a second hand
  • knowledge of the size and type of all brake chambers on the vehicle in which you're being tested
  • a means of holding the brake pedal in the applied position
  • a means of marking the pushrod (doesn't apply to motor coaches)
  • a device for measuring pushrod stroke (doesn't apply to motor coaches)
  • protective eyewear (doesn't apply to motor coaches)
  • a chart of brake adjustment limits (optional)

 

Renew your air brake endorsement

Renewing your driver’s licence with a (Z) endorsement on or after September 1, 2023:

  • you must complete the air brake learning module online before going to a DriveTest centre to renew
  • to complete the learning module, visit Air Brakes - Refresher Training
  • select Air Brakes Refresher Training for Class A or D Licence Holders

As of September 1, 2023, the air brake knowledge test will no longer be a requirement for renewals.

You must have your driver’s licence with you to start the learning module.

After completing the learning module:

  • download or print the Certificate of Completion
  • bring the digital or printed copy of your Certificate of Completion and your driver’s licence to a DriveTest centre or your Driver Certification Program organization
  • if you hold a commercial class (A, B, C, D, E or F) driver’s licence, you will need to complete the vision and commercial class knowledge test in-person at a DriveTest Centre or through your Driver Certification Program organization

Once you reach 80 years old, you will need to take the online learning module and practical test each year to renew your endorsement. For people under 80, renewal is usually required every 5 years.

If you are unable to complete the air brake learning module online, you can visit a DriveTest Centre to complete the learning module in person.

Find a DriveTest centre to renew your licence.