The province is introducing mandatory entry-level training for Class A truck drivers, which will become effective July 1, 2017.
Drivers applying for their Class A licence — a commercial licence that authorizes the holder to drive heavy trucks and tractor-trailers weighing more than 4,600 kilograms — on or after that date will have to complete mandatory training before trying the road test.
Drivers who already have their Class A licence will not have to take the training.
Currently, a driver can earn their Class A licence by taking written and road tests at a DriveTest Centre without taking a training course.
The new guidelines are being implemented to ensure commercial truck drivers are properly trained before they are licensed. The MTO is also updating the written and road tests for all commercial class licences.
The mandatory entry-level course will take approximately four to six weeks to complete and course fees will be set by individual training providers.
Schools approved by the province have a year to develop a curriculum using a consistent provincial training standard. The new Commercial Truck Driver Training Standard (Class A) will be available in early July 2016.
Ontario is the first jurisdiction in North America to implement mandatory entry-level training for truck drivers.
