class-a training

The Mandatory entry-level training will include at least 104 hours of instruction and cover the entry-level knowledge and skills needed to safely operate a large truck on Ontario’s roads. If you meet all the other Class A requirements you can take a Class A road test at a DriveTest centre. The training will be valid for life.

You must complete mandatory entry-level training before taking a road test if you:

• take your Class A road test after July 1, this includes applicants who:
  • failed a road test and plan to re-take the test after July 1
  • booked a road test before July 1, but the actual test is scheduled for after July 1
• have a restricted Class A (AR) licence and want to upgrade to a full Class A
• had a full Class A licence, but it is invalid (e.g. expired, downgraded, suspended) for three or more years
• have a commercial driver’s licence from another country
• have had a Class 1 commercial licence (Class A equivalent) from a Canadian province other than Ontario for less than 12 months
  • if you had it for 12-24 months, you will have the option to complete mandatory entry-level training or the Class A knowledge and road test

You do not have to take the training if you already hold a valid full Class A licence.

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 kilograms (10,000 lbs) and has air brakes
• A vehicle pulling double trailers

With a full 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
• 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.

To apply for a full 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 an vision test
• submit a valid medical report
• pass a knowledge test about operating large trucks and tractor-trailers
• complete a mandatory MELT
• pass a road test using a vehicle that meets the requirements for a full Class A. This includes:
  • A trailer with a Manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (MGVWR) of at least 4,600 kg.
  • A full air brake system on both the truck/ tractor and trailer.

 Source: www.ontario.ca (Ministry of Transportation).

Anyone who drives a vehicle fitted with an air brake system or an air-over-hydraulic brake system is required to have a Z endorsement on their driver's licence. This information will help you learn more about how to get the Z endorsement on your licence.

We offer 12-hour course for drivers upgrading to Class A (Z) licence

Once you have successfully completed the endorsement course, you will receive a referral envelope. Present this envelope to a DriveTest Centre within 6 months to add the Z endorsement to your licence.