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

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.