Getting an AZ Licence in Ontario: Air Brake Endorsement for Commercial Drivers

In Ontario, an **AZ licence** = **Class A (tractor-trailer) + Z (air brake endorsement)**. It's the standard credential for long-haul truckers.

Prerequisites

• Age **≥18** (but most carriers require ≥21 for insurance/interprovincial).
• Valid Ontario **G licence** (full car licence) ≥1 year.
• Medical: **MTO medical report** (form MTO 1480) — vision, hearing, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal.
• Clean driving record (≤3 demerit points, no suspensions).

Step-by-Step Process

1. Knowledge Tests (at DriveTest Centre)

• Class A written test (rules, signs, truck-specific).
• Air Brake (Z) written test — separate, 30 questions, 80% pass.
• Study: Official MTO Truck Handbook + Air Brake Manual (free PDF).

2. Get Learner's Permits

• **Class A learner (G1 equivalent)** — valid 1 year, renewable once.
• **Z endorsement learner** — allows practice with air-brake vehicle + qualified supervisor.

3. Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT)

• 103.5 hours minimum (since July 2017):
• Classroom: 36.5 hrs (regs, logs, cargo securement, trip planning).
• Yard: 17 hrs (coupling, pre-trip, backing).
• On-road: 50 hrs (highway, urban, mountain, night).
• **Must use MTO-approved training provider** (list at ontario.ca).

4. Road Test

• Book at DriveTest (fee: $275 Class A + $30 Z).
• Pre-trip inspection (air brake check included).
• Coupling/uncoupling.
• On-road: turns, merging, lanes, curves, railroad crossing, highway.
• Pass → **Class A (restricted) + Z** = **AZ licence**.

5. Graduated Licensing (If <21 or <1 yr Class A)

• **AZ (restricted):** No passengers, 0 BAC, no US border crossing.
• After 12 months clean → **Full AZ** (unrestricted).

Costs (2024 Estimates)

Funding Options

• Canada-Ontario Job Grant (employer-sponsored).
• Second Career (laid-off workers).
• Carrier-paid training (many large fleets: Bison, Challenger, TransX, Mullen).
• Indigenous Skills & Employment Training (ISET).

Key Resources

• MTO: Get a Truck Driver's Licence
• DriveTest Centres — booking, locations.
• Approved MELT Providers.

AZ = professional credential. MELT made it rigorous — but the industry needs 20,000+ drivers. Good career if you like independence, travel, responsibility.