Driver Licensing Requirements
Licence types
In Ontario, there are 15 different licence classes. Each one qualifies a driver to drive a different type of vehicle. The class of licence have must match the type of vehicle driven. See the quick-check chart below for the class of licence required for different vehicle types. A driver may hold a licence in more than one class, but never hold more than one driver’s licence.
| Class of Licence | Types of Vehicles Allowed | May Also Drive Vehicle in Class |
| A | Any tractor trailer or combination of motor vehicle and towed vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed a total gross weight of 4,600 kilograms | D, G and A with condition (R) |
| A with condition (R) | Drivers with a restricted Class A licence condition would be prevented from operating:
|
D and G |
| B | Any school-purposes bus with designed seating capacity for more than 24 passengers | C, D, E, F and G |
| C | Any regular bus with designed seating capacity for more than 24 passengers | D, F and G |
| D | Any truck or motor-vehicle combination exceeding 11,000 kilograms (actual gross weight or registered gross weight), provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms | G |
| E | School-purposes bus – maximum of 24-passenger capacity | F and G |
| F | Regular bus – maximum of 24-passenger capacity – and ambulances | G |
| G | Any car, van or small truck, or combination of vehicle and towed vehicle, up to 11,000 kilograms, provided the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kilograms, but not:
|
|
| G1 | Level 1 of graduated licensing – holders may drive Class G vehicles when accompanied by a fully licensed driver with at least four years of driving experience. Additional conditions apply | |
| G2 | Level 2 of graduated licensing – holders may drive Class G vehicles without an accompanying driver, but are subject to certain conditions:
|
|
| M | Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped). Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a class G1 licence-holder | M with condition L (motor scooters and mopeds) |
| M1 | Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped). Level 1 of graduated licensing. Holders may drive a motorcycle under certain conditions |
M with condition L (motor scooters and mopeds) |
| M2 | Motorcycles, including a limited-speed motorcycle (motor scooter) and a motor-assisted bicycle (moped). Level 2 of graduated licensing. Holders may drive a motorcycle, but only with a zero blood-alcohol level. Holders may also drive a Class G vehicle under the conditions that apply to a class G1 licence-holder |
M with condition L (motor scooters and mopeds) |
| M with condition L (LSM/Moped) | Limited-speed motorcycle or mopeds only. Limited-speed motorcycles are motorcycles with a maximum speed of 70 km/h. If manufactured after 1988, they are identified by a label on the vehicle that indicates it is a "LSM/MVL." For full description, visit: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/lsm.shtml | |
| M2 with condition L (LSM/Moped) | Limited-speed motorcycle (LSM) or moped only |
Driver-licence testing is done by Drive Test offices throughout the province. General information on driver licensing can be found at: www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/index.shtml
Information on DriveTest can be found at: www.drivetest.ca
Air Brakes
Any driver operating a vehicle equipped with a full air-brake system, or air-over-hydraulic brake system, is required to have an endorsement on their driver’s licence. In Ontario, this is called a "Z” endorsement.
Exemptions
A driver of a class D commercial motor vehicle that is registered with farm plates carrying farm products, supplies or equipment not for compensation, or being used for personal use is required only to have a Class G licence.
A truck or auto technician with a minimum Class G licence is allowed to operate any higher class of vehicle for the purposes of road testing, including a vehicle with air brakes.
A driver of a tow truck towing a disabled vehicle is exempt from a Class A driver’s licence, provided that they have the appropriate licence to drive the tow truck.
Qualifications, Records and Reporting
An operator is responsible to monitor a driver’s performance by obtaining copies of all convictions in any vehicle and collisions in CVOR type vehicles involving an employed driver.
The operator must ensure that the drivers are qualified for the respective vehicles and the operator must obtain a MTO 3-year driver abstract on every driver at least once a year.
