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Class A Licence

Ontario is making sure truck drivers are more appropriately licensed for the types of vehicles they drive. This action supports the government’s commitment to improve commercial driver training, testing and licensing.

On April 24, 2008, the Ministry of Transportation announced the introduction of a new restrictive licence condition "R" for Class A drivers. This new licence restriction will be applied to drivers who pass a Class A road test using a smaller truck-trailer combination, such as a pick-up truck pulling a large recreational, horse, or utility trailer, and prohibit them from driving larger more complex tractor-trailers. This will ensure that only applicants who demonstrate their ability to safely drive a full-size tractor-trailer will be issued a full privilege Class A driver’s licence. A public education period will be in effect until June 16, 2008, the date the new rules become effective.

Effective June 16, 2008:

  • Class A licence applicants will receive a Class A licence based on the vehicle configuration they bring for the road test. Drivers who take their Class A road test using a smaller vehicle will be restricted to driving vehicles of similar size, and they will be prohibited from driving full size tractor-trailers.
  • The new restrictive licence condition "R" will be applied to all licence applicants who pass a Class A road test using a small vehicle configuration. Drivers with a restricted Class A licence condition will be prevented from operating:
    • a motor vehicle pulling double trailers
    • a motor vehicle pulling a trailer with air-brakes.
  • Drivers with the "R" restrictive condition will not be allowed to provide driver instruction to another person on a vehicle requiring full Class A privileges.
  • Ontario drivers returning from another jurisdiction will be issued a Class A licence with the same "R" restrictive condition as when they left.
  • A new offence has been introduced for vehicle owners who permit a person to operate a motor vehicle in contravention of a licence condition.

Who Will Be Affected?

  • Existing Class A licence drivers will retain their full Class A privileges. However, existing Class A licensed drivers who require road testing for renewal or for driver improvement reasons may be affected depending on the vehicle they use for the road test.
  • All new Class A applicants who bring in a small vehicle configuration will be affected.

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