Windsor runs on wheels. Between the Ambassador Bridge, the auto plants, and the constant flow along the 401 and E.C. Row, this city is built on logistics. If you’re serious about a stable, high-responsibility career that actually moves something, you need training that’s local, practical, and respected by carriers. That’s where we come in.

Great Lakes Truck Driving School Inc. — Windsor, ON
850 Division Road, Windsor, ON N8W 5R9
📞 519-981-9111 | ✉️ info@greatlakestds.ca

A school with one focus: turn new drivers into safe, hireable professionals

Our training is built around three promises:

1. Safety first, always. You’ll master Ontario’s Schedule 1 daily inspection, air-brake checks, winter driving fundamentals, and defensive driving.
2. Skills that hold up at 3 a.m. in February (worst-case conditions). Backing, coupling/uncoupling, lane control, space and speed management, city and highway routines.
3. Professionalism carriers notice. Hours-of-Service and ELD use, basic cargo securement concepts, trip planning, border basics, yard etiquette, and paperwork discipline.

What makes us different in Windsor

• Border-city advantage
  Train minutes from the Windsor-Detroit crossings and real carrier yards. You’ll practice the same traffic patterns, weather, and routing you’ll face on the job.
• MELT done right
  Ontario’s Mandatory Entry-Level Training is the baseline. We teach it thoroughly, with extra reps where new drivers struggle most: mirror usage, trailer off-tracking, and precision backing.
• Low student-to-truck time
  You can’t learn tractor-trailer control from the passenger seat. We prioritize actual wheel time and structured yard practice.
• Road-test preparation on Windsor routes
  Mock tests on realistic routes so test day feels familiar.
• Instructor bench you can trust
  Experienced drivers who’ve hauled in real conditions, not just read about them.
• Career support that respects your time
  Resume polishing for entry-level roles, interview prep, employer info sessions, and references when you earn them. No gimmicks, no “guaranteed job” hype.
• Transparent, professional culture
  Clear expectations, safety standards, and honest feedback. If something isn’t test-ready, we tell you and help you fix it.

Program at a glance (Class A)

• Eligibility: 18+, full Class G, vision/knowledge tests, commercial medical as required.
• Training: MELT curriculum with classroom, yard, and in-cab instruction.
• Air-brake (Z) endorsement: Instruction and practical checks.
• Inspections: Full Schedule 1 pre-trip and in-cab routines, major vs minor defects.
• Vehicle control: Turns, shifting or automatic operation, hazard scanning, space management.
• Backing: Straight, offset, alley dock, setup discipline.
• Coupling/uncoupling: Fifth wheel, lines, visual verification, safe sequences.
• Compliance: Hours-of-Service, ELD basics, weights and dimensions, basic cargo securement concepts.
• Test prep: Targeted correction and mock road tests.

Thinking Class D (straight truck)? We also train straight-truck skills and road-test prep. Ask our team which pathway fits your goals.

Outcomes that actually matter

• Confidence doing the hard things well
  Precision backing, controlled turns without curb strikes, clean coupling, and disciplined inspections.
• Fewer rookie mistakes
  We drill mirror timing, trailer tracking, and low-speed control so you don’t learn “the expensive way.”
• Professional habits
  Accurate logs, clean defect reporting, and reliable trip planning that dispatch can count on.

Who we’re a great fit for

• New Canadians and career changers who want a proven path into a regulated, in-demand trade.
• Detail-oriented learners who want clear checklists, repeatable routines, and honest coaching.
• Serious beginners who want the right habits from day one, not shortcuts.

What graduates say (real themes we hear)

“I stopped guessing. The pre-trip sequence and backing setups are locked in.”
“Mock tests made the real test feel normal, not scary.”
“They didn’t sugar-coat anything. I knew exactly what to fix and how.”

Admissions: simple and clear

1. Talk to us: 519-981-9111 or info@greatlakestds.ca
2. Visit the yard: see the equipment, meet instructors, get timelines.
3. Confirm eligibility: 18+, full G, knowledge/vision tests, medical as required.
4. Enroll: Class A MELT or Class D pathway.
5. Train and test: structured plan to your road test, with targeted practice.

Why now, why here

Windsor isn’t a place where trucks are occasional visitors. They are the lifeblood of work here. If you want a career that rewards discipline, calm under pressure, and real skill, start where those habits are taught with respect and precision.

Great Lakes Truck Driving School Inc. — Windsor, ON
850 Division Road, Windsor, ON N8W 5R9
📞 519-981-9111 | ✉️ info@greatlakestds.ca

Train with us. Test with confidence. Drive with pride.

To work as a truck driver in Ontario you need one of two commercial licence classes:

• Class A for tractor-trailer combinations (where the towed vehicle exceeds 4,600 kg).
• Class D for straight trucks with a registered gross weight or actual weight over 11,000 kg and not towing a heavy trailer.

Note: Class B and Class C are bus licences, not truck licences.

Class A Licence (Tractor-Trailers)

Eligibility

• 18 years of age or older
• Full Class G licence

Steps

1. Pass vision and knowledge tests.
2. Complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) at an approved school.
3. Pass the Class A road test in a tractor-trailer.
4. Obtain the Z (air brake) endorsement if operating vehicles with air brakes (most Class A units).
5. Meet commercial medical requirements as set by the MTO and keep them current.

Class D Licence (Straight Trucks)

Eligibility

• 18+ with a full Class G licence

Steps

1. Pass vision and knowledge tests.
2. Pass the Class D road test in a straight truck.
3. Add Z endorsement if the vehicle has air brakes.
4. Meet commercial medical requirements.

Dangerous Goods, Company Requirements, and Paperwork

• Carrying dangerous goods requires TDG (Transportation of Dangerous Goods) training and certification, issued by the employer. It is not a separate licence class.
• Drivers do not hold an “operator’s licence.” The carrier (employer) must hold a valid CVOR (Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration) and ensure the vehicle has a permit, plate, and insurance.
• Some employers may require additional experience or set 21+ age for U.S. cross-border work. That is company policy, not provincial law.

Quick Start Checklist

• 18+, full G licence
• Write knowledge test (A or D) and vision test
• Complete MELT for Class A
• Pass your road test
• Add Z endorsement if needed
• Keep medical up to date
• Ensure employer has CVOR; complete TDG if carrying dangerous goods

Common Misconceptions (Fixed)

• “Class A is required for any vehicle over 11,000 kg.”
  False. Over 11,000 kg applies to Class D straight trucks. Class A is about tractor-trailer combinations.
• “You need Class A, B or C to be a truck driver.”
  False. Truck drivers use Class A (tractor-trailer) or Class D (straight truck). B/C are for buses.
• “You must be 21 years old.”
  False. The legal minimum is 18 (some employers prefer 21+ for cross-border work).

A proper pre-trip inspection keeps you legal and safe. In Ontario, commercial vehicles must follow the Schedule 1 Daily Inspection requirements under the Highway Traffic Act (Reg. 199/07). The inspection looks for safety-related defects before you operate the vehicle.

What the law requires

• Perform a daily inspection once every 24 hours and before driving the vehicle.
• Carry Schedule 1 and a completed inspection report in the cab for the current day.
• Record any defects and report them to the carrier.
• Major defect → vehicle is out of service until repaired.
• Minor defect → record and report; repair as soon as practicable.
• Keep reports on file (carrier responsibility).

What you’re checking (high-level)

• Brakes and air system
• Steering
• Suspension
• Tires, wheels, hubs
• Lights and electrical
• Coupling devices (fifth wheel, pintle, safety chains)
• Frame and body
• Fuel and exhaust systems
• Cargo securement / trailer body and doors
• Driver controls and in-cab safety equipment (seat belt, horn, defroster, wipers, mirrors)
• Emergency equipment (triangles, extinguisher, spare fuses)

Step-by-step routine (practical sequence)

1) In-cab and brake checks

• Seat belt, horn, heater/defroster, mirrors, windshield and wipers/washer.
• Turn on all lights and 4-way flashers for the walk-around.
• Air brake system: air build-up, governor cut-in/cut-out, low-air warning, spring-brake activation, applied/ static leak tests, park brake holds, service brake test.

2) Engine compartment

• Check levels: engine oil level, coolant, power steering fluid, washer fluid.
• Belts/hoses/wiring secure; no leaks; engine mounts secure.
• Look under the vehicle for fresh leaks.

3) Front exterior

• Headlamps high/low, turn signals, clearance/ID lamps, reflectors.
• Bumper, grille, hood latches secure.

4) Axles, tires, wheels, brakes, suspension

• Tires: inflation, sidewall condition, tread depth; no contact between duals.
• Wheels/rims: no cracks; lug nuts all present and tight; hub oil seals not leaking.
• Brakes: hoses/lines not leaking or chafed; chambers secure; slack adjusters travel within spec; drums/rotors/linings visible where appropriate.
• Suspension: springs, U-bolts, hangers, airbags and shocks intact; no broken or shifted components.

5) Coupling area (tractor-trailer or drawbar)

• Fifth wheel securely mounted; no cracks or missing fasteners.
• Locking jaws closed on kingpin, release handle in. No gap between fifth-wheel and trailer apron; skid plate greased.
• Electrical pigtail and air lines properly connected, not chafed; glad-hand seals good.
• Landing gear raised and handles secured; safety latches/pins in place.
• For pintle/drawbar: pintle locked; safety chains and breakaway cable attached and crossed.

6) Trailer / body / cargo securement

• Trailer lights and ABS lamp, reflectors, DOT tape.
• Doors, hinges and latches secure; roof/sidewalls/floor sound.
• Cargo secured to NSC Standard 10; tarps/straps/blocks in good condition.
• For reefers: unit mounted securely; fuel level adequate; no leaks.

7) Safety equipment and documents

• Fire extinguisher charged and secured; warning triangles present; spare fuses if required.
• Registration, insurance, CVOR, permits and daily inspection report on board.

Recording your daily inspection

Your report should include: date/time, unit number and plate/VIN, odometer, location of inspection, driver name and signature, defects found (yes/no) with descriptions, and confirmation that defects were reported/repaired. Keep the report available in the cab for the current day.