Medical Review Section

Commercial Drivers

Medical reporting cycles for commercial licence holders (Class A, B, C, E and F)

• Applicants for a class A, B, C, E and F licence are required to submit a medical report on application
• Drivers under the age of 46 are required to submit a medical report every five years
• Drivers aged 46 - 64 are required to submit a medical report every three years
• Drivers aged 65 and over are required to submit a medical report annually

These requirements are in keeping with the recommendations of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators and are the basis of the U.S./Canadian Reciprocal Agreement for commercial drivers crossing the Canada/U.S. border.

Medical reporting for Class D licence holders

All applicants for a class D licence are required to submit a medical report on application.

Medical, Vision and Hearing Standards for Commercial Licences

Applicants for and holders of a commercial licence are required to meet higher standards due to the fact that they drive longer hours in often poor weather conditions, they are faced with more physical demands than those driving a private vehicle and due to the size/weight of the vehicle being driven.

Hearing standards apply to applicants for and holders of Class B, C, E and F licences. Ontario Regulation 340/94 (s. 17) requires that an applicant or holder of a Class B, C, E or F licence, whose hearing in one ear is better than in the other must be able to perceive in the better ear, with or without a hearing aid, a forced whisper at a distance of 1.5 meters or, if an audiometer is used to test the person's hearing, must not have a loss in the better ear of more than 40 decibels at 500, 1000 and 2000 hertz.

Vision standards apply to applicants for and holders of Class A, B, C, D, E and F licences. Ontario Regulation 340/94 (s. 17) requires that an applicant for or a holder must have,

• A visual acuity, as measured by Snellen Rating, that is not poorer than 20/30, with both eyes open and examined together and not poorer than 20/100 in the weaker eye, with or without the aid of corrective lenses; and
• A horizontal visual field of at least 150 continuous degrees along the horizontal meridian and at least 20 continuous degrees above and below fixation, with both eyes open and examined together

Medical standards apply to applicants for and holders of Class A, B, C, D, E and F licences. Ontario Regulation 340/94 (s. 17) states that an applicant or holder,

• Has no history or clinical diagnosis of diabetes that requires insulin for control;
• Is not taking any drug that, could, in the dosage prescribed or in the dosage recommended by the manufacturer, impair his or her ability to drive a motor vehicle of the applicable class safely;
• Has no established medical history of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, coronary insufficiency or thrombosis;
• Has no established medical history of heart disease including arrhythmia or of respiratory dysfunction likely to interfere with the safe driving of a motor vehicle of the applicable class;
• Is not suffering from an aortic aneurysm, whether resected or not
• Is not suffering from hypertension accompanied by postural hypotension resulting in giddiness when under treatment;
• Has no established medical history of loss of consciousness or awareness due to a chronic or recurring condition;
• Has no established medical history of a disorder of the musculoskeletal or nervous system that may interfere with the safe driving of a motor vehicle of the applicable class;
• Has no established medical history of an intractable psychotic or psychoneurotic disorder, having particular regard for sustained hostile, aggressive, paranoid, suicidal or other destructive tendencies or depression unless it is medically determined that the condition from which the person has suffered is corrected or controlled

Related FAQ

• How often do I have to submit a medical report for my commercial licence?
• How will I know when my report is due to the ministry?
• Who can complete my report form?
• What happens if I do not send in my medical report by the due date?
• What happens if I no longer meet the standards for a commercial licence?

Medical Waiver Program for Commercial Drivers

An applicant for, or a holder of, a commercial licence who cannot meet the required medical standards may apply for a medical "waiver". This means that the individual may be able to hold a higher class of licence despite the fact that he/she may not meet the medical standards. See below for requirements.

Ontario Regulation 340/94 (s. 17 {2} and s. 21 {1}) provides the authority for the Minister to waive the medical standards provided certain conditions are met and provided there is no worsening of the condition.

If an individual does not meet the required medical standards and may qualify for a waiver, the Ministry will mail an application package to the individual. When returned to the ministry, the completed medical waiver package will be reviewed by Medical Review staff and the appropriate medical advisors (e.g. cardiologist, neurologist etc.).

If the review confirms that the individual meets the medical standards found in the CCMTA's Medical Standards for Drivers the medical standards in regulation may be "waived". A waiver is granted with the requirement that the driver submit a detailed medical report at the dates determined by the Ministry.