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.

Starting a career in trucking is a big step. A reputable, MTO-approved truck driving school helps you meet legal requirements, build real driving skill, and become job-ready without guesswork.

Why a school matters

• It’s the legal path for Class A.
  Ontario requires Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) before you can book a Class A road test. Approved schools deliver the MELT curriculum and issue the certificate the MTO needs.
• Structured training that builds real skill.
  Professional instruction shortens the learning curve on shifting, braking, space management, backing, cornering, coupling/uncoupling, and winter driving techniques.
• Safety and compliance from day one.
  You learn Schedule 1 daily inspections, air-brake (Z) endorsement, hours-of-service/ELD, cargo securement basics, and incident reporting so you start work compliant.
• Road-test preparation on proper equipment.
  Schools provide tractor-trailers and training yards so you can practice backing, alley docks, offsets, serpentine, and coupling in a controlled environment before test day.
• Employer and insurer credibility.
  Graduating from an approved program signals to carriers and their insurers that you’ve met provincial standards and had supervised seat time, which can improve hiring chances.
• Faster transition to work.
  Quality schools offer resume help, interview prep, and introductions to hiring carriers. No school can guarantee a job, but good training makes you competitive.

What you will typically learn

• Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT): minimum 103.5 hours total (in-class, yard, in-cab).
• Vehicle inspections: full Schedule 1 pre-trip, in-cab, and air system checks.
• Air-brake (Z) endorsement: operation, checks, and defects.
• Vehicle control: turns, lane positioning, speed management, shifting or auto-transmission operation.
• Backing and manoeuvres: straight-line, offset, alley dock, coupling/uncoupling.
• Defensive driving: hazard perception, following distance, winter and mountain basics.
• Regulatory compliance: hours-of-service, ELD use, cargo securement basics, weights and dimensions.
• Professionalism: trip planning, paperwork, border basics if applicable, communication with dispatch and shippers/receivers.

Honest expectations

• Jobs are in demand, not automatic.
  Hiring depends on your licence class (A or D), driving record, right to work, and fit with the carrier’s routes. Training improves your chances; it doesn’t guarantee placement.
• Safety first, always.
  If you find a major defect during inspection, the vehicle is out of service until repaired. Schools should teach a safety-over-schedule mindset.

How to choose the right school

• MTO-approved for MELT and Z endorsement.
• Equipment similar to what you will test and work on.
• Instructor-to-student ratio that allows real driving time.
• Documented in-cab hours (not just observation).
• Transparent road-test booking and retest policy.
• Employer connections and resume/interview support.
• Clean safety culture: PPE, defect reporting, yard rules.

Getting started

1. Confirm you meet the basics: 18+ with a full G licence and a valid medical for commercial driving.
2. Enrol in an MTO-approved MELT program for Class A (or a Class D program if you’re targeting straight trucks).
3. Pass the knowledge and vision tests.
4. Complete training and pass your road test.
5. Add Z endorsement if your vehicle has air brakes (most do).
6. Apply with carriers; obtain TDG training from your employer if transporting dangerous goods.

A good school does more than help you pass a test. It builds safe habits, compliance knowledge, and confidence so you can start your trucking career the right way.