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Ontario AZ License: Your Complete Guide to Getting Licensed in Ontario

If you’re searching for “Ontario AZ license”, you’re ready to take the next big step toward a rewarding career as a professional truck driver. Earning your AZ license — the commercial truck licence for tractor-trailers with air brakes — opens doors to better pay, stable work, and opportunities across Ontario’s logistics and transportation industry.

At Great Lakes Truck Driving School Inc. in Windsor, we help new drivers navigate the process from start to finish — from training and testing to real-world skills you’ll use on the job. Whether you’re just beginning or upgrading your existing license, this guide explains exactly what you need to know to get your Ontario AZ license.

What Is an Ontario AZ License?

An AZ license in Ontario is a Class A commercial driver’s licence with an air brake endorsement (Z). It allows you to operate:

Tractor-trailer combinations
Heavy transport trucks with trailers over 4,600 kg
Commercial rigs with air brakes

This is the most common truck license employers hire for long-haul and heavy transport jobs.

Who Needs an AZ Licence?

If your goal is to:

Drive big rigs and tractor-trailers
Work in long-distance transport
Haul heavy loads with air-brake systems
…then pursuing your Ontario AZ license is the right choice.

At Great Lakes TDS, our AZ Tractor Trailer MELT Program is structured specifically to prepare you for this licence and the commercial driving profession.

Learn more: AZ Tractor Trailer MELT Program

How to Get Your Ontario AZ License (Step-by-Step)

1. Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before starting formal training, most applicants must:

Be 18 years or older
Hold a full Ontario G licence
Complete a commercial medical exam
Pass vision and knowledge tests

Once these steps are done, you’re ready to begin training.

2. Complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT)

In Ontario, you must complete the MELT program before you’re eligible for the AZ road test. The MELT curriculum covers:

Vehicle inspections and safety compliance
Highway and city driving
Trailer coupling and uncoupling
Cargo securement and defensive driving
Hours-of-service rules and professional conduct

Great Lakes’ AZ Tractor Trailer MELT Program ensures you’re fully prepared for the MTO requirements and the road test.

Link again: AZ Tractor Trailer MELT Program

3. Practice Hands-On Driving With Professionals

Beyond meeting legal requirements, it’s essential to master real-world skills such as:

Backing and parking large rigs
Handling highways and busy intersections
Operating in winter conditions
Pre-trip inspections

Great Lakes TDS emphasizes practical training, enabling you to build confidence and readiness for your license exam.

4. Pass the Road Test

Once you complete MELT and feel prepared, you can book your AZ road test at a DriveTest centre. Your instructor will help you prepare so you can pass on your first attempt.

Why Getting an AZ License Matters in Ontario

Here’s why the AZ licence is a major advantage:

Allows you to drive the largest commercial trucks
Significantly improves job prospects
Positions you for higher wages and long-haul opportunities
Recognized by carriers across Canada

Great Lakes Truck Driving School has trained hundreds of drivers to successfully earn their AZ license and begin professional careers.

Common Questions About Ontario AZ Licenses

Do I Need Special Training?

Yes — Ontario’s MELT program is mandatory before you attempt your AZ road test.

How Long Does It Take?

Typical full-time AZ training takes a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on your schedule and testing availability.

Can I Drive Across Canada?

Yes. A Class A AZ license lets you operate heavy trucks anywhere in Canada, and in many cases prepares you for cross-border work into the U.S.

Why Choose Great Lakes Truck Driving School

Great Lakes TDS is registered under the Ontario Career Colleges Act and has over 30 years of truck training experience helping students achieve their commercial licences.

Our programs offer:

MTO-approved AZ (Class A) training
Classroom, yard, and road instruction
Mock tests for confidence on test day
Support from experienced instructors

Learn more about the school:
About Us

Helpful Resources & Related Posts

Here are a few related topics on our site you may find useful:

How Long Does It Take to Get a Truck License in Ontario — https://greatlakestds.ca/blog/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-truck-license-in-ontario/
Why Get Enrolled in a Truck Driving School — https://greatlakestds.ca/reasons-to-get-enrolled-in-a-truck-driving-school/
Truck License Timeline (AZ & DZ Options) — https://greatlakestds.ca/tag/truck-license-timeline-ontario/
School Blog Home — https://greatlakestds.ca/blog/

Ready to Start Your Ontario AZ Licence Training?

Your trucking career starts with training and preparation. If you’re serious about earning your Ontario AZ license, Great Lakes Truck Driving School can help you every step of the way.

Contact us to get started:
https://greatlakestds.ca/contact/

Train with confidence, learn practical skills, and earn the license that opens the road to your future.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Truck License in Ontario?

by admin

If you’re thinking about becoming a commercial truck driver in Ontario, one of the first questions you’ll ask is:

“How long does it actually take to get my truck license?”

The short answer is:
Anywhere from 3–6 weeks on a fast-track schedule, or up to 2–3 months on a part-time schedule — depending on the licence type, your availability, testing wait times, and how well prepared you are.

Also, look at what licence you need to become a truck driver in Ontario.

At Great Lakes Truck Driving School, we guide students through this process every week. In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

The exact timeline for each licence type
What delays most students
Real-world case study examples
How to finish as fast as possible (without cutting corners)

Step 1: Choose the Right Truck Licence in Ontario

Your timeline depends heavily on which licence you’re going for:

Class A (AZ) Licence

For tractor-trailers and transport trucks with air brakes.

Required training: Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT)
Most common career path
Longest training time

Class D / DZ Licence

For straight trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and delivery vehicles.

Shorter training
Great for local commercial driving jobs

Each class has its own testing and training requirements, which directly affects how long it takes.

Step 2: Medical Exam & Written Knowledge Test (1–3 Days)

Before you can touch a truck, you must:

Complete a commercial medical exam
Pass a vision test
Pass a written knowledge test

The written test itself only takes about 30 minutes
Many students complete this entire step in 1–3 business days

This step is often the fastest part of the process if you are prepared.

Step 3: Truck Driver Training Program Timeline

Now comes the hands-on training — where most of your time is spent.

Class A (AZ) Training – Full-Time

Typical duration: 3–5 weeks
Includes:
- Classroom theory
- Yard skills
- Road driving
- Coupling/uncoupling
- Air brake systems
- Highway driving

DZ / Class D Training

Typical duration: 1–3 weeks
Focused on:
- Straight truck handling
- Load securing
- City & highway driving
- Air brakes (if applicable)

Students who train full-time finish much faster than those attending part-time.

Step 4: Booking & Completing the Road Test (1–3 Weeks)

Once training is complete, you must pass your DriveTest road exam.

Here’s where delays can happen:

Test availability varies by city and season
Busy locations may have 1–3 week wait times
If a student fails, Ontario requires:
- A 10-day minimum wait before retesting

Students who come prepared often pass on the first attempt.

Realistic Case Study Timelines

Here are real-world examples based on how long students typically take:

Case Study #1: Fast-Track Full-Time AZ Student (4–5 Weeks)

Week 1: Medical + written test passed
Weeks 2–4: Full-time truck training
Week 5: Road test booked & passed
Total Time: About 4–5 weeks

This is the fastest realistic scenario for a motivated student.

Case Study #2: Part-Time AZ Student (8–10 Weeks)

Week 1: Medical + written test
Weeks 2–7: Part-time training
Weeks 8–9: Road test booking & test
Total Time: Around 2 months

Case Study #3: DZ Truck License Student (3–4 Weeks)

Week 1: Medical + knowledge test
Weeks 2–3: Training
Week 4: Road test
Total Time: Around 3–4 weeks

Average Time to Get a Truck License in Ontario

Licence Type	Fast Track	Average Timeline
AZ / Class A	4–6 weeks	2–3 months
DZ / Class D	3–4 weeks	1–2 months

What Can Slow Down Your Licensing Process?

These are the most common delays we see:

Waiting too long for your medical appointment
Failing the written knowledge test
Choosing part-time training
Road test backlog
Needing to retest after a failure

The more prepared you are on day one, the faster you finish.

How to Get Your Truck Licence Faster in Ontario

If speed matters to you, here’s how to move fast:

Book your medical exam immediately
Study for the written test before applying
Choose full-time training if possible
Train with professionals who prepare you for first-try road test success
Be flexible with road test locations if needed

Final Answer: So… How Long Does It Take?

In most real-world situations:

AZ Licence: 4–8 weeks on average
DZ Licence: 3–6 weeks on average

Some students finish faster. Others take longer due to scheduling or retesting. But with proper training and preparation, Ontario’s truck licensing system is very achievable within 1–2 months.

Ready to Start Your Truck Driving Career?

At Great Lakes Truck Driving School, we help students move from zero experience to licensed professional drivers as quickly and safely as possible.

Whether you’re going for your AZ or DZ licence, we guide you through:

Medical & written test prep
Professional hands-on driving training
Road-test readiness
Job-ready real-world skills

Contact us today to get started on your truck driving career in Ontario.

Ontario AZ License: Your Complete Guide to Getting Licensed in Ontario

What Is an Ontario AZ License?

Who Needs an AZ Licence?