Getting a trucking licence in Canada is one of the most reliable paths into a well-paying trade that keeps the country moving. Whether you are switching careers or just starting out, the steps are straightforward but vary by province. This guide covers everything from minimum requirements to road test preparation, plus a provincial breakdown of what it costs.
Quick Takeaways
- A Class 1 licence (called AZ in Ontario) lets you operate tractor-trailers and combination vehicles
- You must hold a valid passenger vehicle licence and pass a commercial medical exam before applying
- Training programs typically run 4 to 8 weeks full-time and cost between $6,000 and $12,000
- Employer-sponsored training can eliminate most out-of-pocket costs in exchange for a work commitment
- A Class 1 licence earned in one province transfers to any other province when you establish residency
What Class of Licence Do You Actually Need
Canada uses a tiered commercial driver's licence system. The class you need depends on the vehicle you want to operate.
Class 1 Versus AZ: Same Qualification, Different Label
Most provinces (British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces) use a numbered system. Class 1 is the top tier and authorizes the holder to drive any combination vehicle, including transport trucks pulling a full semi-trailer or B-train. Ontario uses an alphanumeric system: Class A covers combination vehicles, and the Z endorsement adds air brakes. The combined AZ licence is Ontario's functional equivalent of a Class 1 elsewhere.
When researching programs or scanning job postings, you will see both terms. A posting asking for a Class 1 in Alberta and one asking for an AZ in Ontario are asking for comparable credentials.
Other Commercial Classes
If you are not yet targeting tractor-trailers, other classes exist:
- Class 3 or DZ: straight trucks and dump trucks without a trailer
- Class 2: buses and large passenger vehicles
- Class 4: taxis, ambulances, and small buses
For most freight and long-haul work, Class 1 or AZ is the target.
The Air Brake Endorsement
Nearly all modern transport trucks use air brakes. In most provinces, earning this endorsement requires passing a separate written test and a practical component. Ontario bundles it into the Z endorsement. When comparing training programs, confirm whether the air brake course is included in the tuition or billed separately.
Minimum Requirements Before You Enroll
Before visiting a licensing office or enrolling in a trucking course in Canada, confirm you meet the baseline requirements for your province.
Age and Licence History
You must be at least 18 years old to hold a Class 1 for intra-provincial driving in most provinces. However, if you plan to cross into the United States commercially, you must be at least 21 under U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules. Most provinces also require you to have held a valid Class 5 or equivalent passenger vehicle licence for a minimum of one year, though some require two.
Medical Examination
A commercial driver's medical examination conducted by a licensed physician is mandatory. The exam evaluates vision, hearing, cardiovascular health, and any conditions that could affect your ability to operate a heavy vehicle safely. Book this appointment early, as processing can take time depending on your province.
Driving Record
A serious conviction such as impaired driving, street racing, or a pattern of major infractions can disqualify an application. Obtain a copy of your driving abstract from your provincial motor vehicle authority before you start so there are no surprises.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Trucking Licence
The pathway is consistent across Canada, though fees, test formats, and scheduling timelines vary.
Step 1: Pass the Commercial Knowledge Test
Your first visit to the provincial motor vehicle authority (ServiceOntario, ICBC in BC, SGI in Saskatchewan, and so on) involves a written knowledge test covering commercial vehicle regulations, road rules, pre-trip inspection requirements, and hours-of-service basics. Fees are generally between $15 and $30. Passing this test earns you a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP), which allows you to drive commercial vehicles while supervised by a licensed Class 1 or AZ driver.
Step 2: Complete a Recognized Training Program
Enrolling in a trucking course in Canada is not legally mandatory in every province, but it is the practical path for almost every candidate. Employers nearly universally require it, and the road test is designed around skills taught in formal programs. Training covers:
- Pre-trip vehicle inspection using the federal standard
- Coupling and uncoupling trailers
- Backing manoeuvres including straight-line, 45-degree alley dock, and parallel parking
- Highway merging, urban driving, and mountain or winter conditions
- Load securement basics and hours-of-service log requirements
Look for schools affiliated with provincial trucking associations or recognized by your provincial ministry of transportation. Program length typically runs 4 to 6 weeks full-time.
Step 3: Pass the Road Test
After completing training, you schedule a road test with a government examiner or, in some provinces, an accredited third-party tester. Examiners evaluate your pre-trip inspection procedure, vehicle control in low-speed manoeuvres, highway behavior, and coupling technique. Failing one component usually means re-testing only that portion. Check your province's rules on waiting periods between attempts.
Step 4: Obtain Endorsements
Once you pass, you upgrade your licence to Class 1 or AZ. From there, you can pursue additional credentials depending on the type of freight you want to carry:
- Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) certification for regulated cargo
- WHMIS awareness for chemical or industrial loads
- Specialized endorsements for oversized or overweight loads, common in Alberta's resource sector
Provincial Breakdown: Costs, Programs, and Testing
Ontario (Class AZ)
Ontario uses a graduated commercial licensing process. After your CLP, you train at an approved carrier or truck driving school and then book a road test through DriveTest Ontario at a commercial testing centre. Book your test well in advance, as popular locations can be booked several weeks out.
Costs: Full AZ programs in Ontario typically run $7,000 to $10,000, including air brake training. Several large national carriers offer employer-sponsored programs that cover tuition in exchange for a 12 to 24 month work commitment after licensing.
British Columbia (Class 1)
ICBC oversees all driver licensing in BC. The province's knowledge test draws from the Commercial Transport Act and Motor Vehicle Act. Road tests are conducted at designated ICBC driver licensing offices.
Costs: Class 1 programs at BC schools generally range from $6,000 to $9,000, including air brakes. Employer-sponsored options exist with Lower Mainland carriers and northern resource sector operators.
Alberta (Class 1)
Alberta does not have a province-wide mandatory training requirement for Class 1 candidates, but employers consistently require formal training. Road tests are conducted through registry agents across the province.
Costs: Programs typically run $6,000 to $10,000. Alberta's oil and gas sector creates demand for heavy haul and specialized cargo operators, where wages after licensing can be significantly higher than the national average.
Quebec (Class 1)
The Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec (SAAQ) manages licensing. Quebec offers a formal vocational truck driving program (DEP in transport) through the public CEGEP network, which can qualify for student loans and provincial training subsidies. This makes Quebec one of the more affordable provinces for formal trucking education.
Costs: DEP programs through the public system cost less than private schools due to subsidization. Private programs in Quebec run $7,000 to $12,000.
Atlantic Provinces
New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador each run their own licensing systems under similar Class 1 requirements. The number of training providers is smaller in these provinces, and some candidates travel to larger centres for their program.
Transferring Your Licence Between Provinces
If you earn a Class 1 in one province and later move to another, your licence transfers when you establish residency. The receiving province typically requires a knowledge test but waives the road test. This makes it practical to train where programs are most accessible or affordable.
Funding and Cost Reduction Options
The total cost from learner's permit through to a new Class 1 or AZ, including the medical exam, training program, and road test fees, runs between $7,000 and $13,000 in most provinces. Several options exist to reduce that figure.
Employer-sponsored training is the most common path for candidates with limited capital. Major carriers across Ontario, BC, and Alberta will pay for your training in full in exchange for a post-licensing work commitment of one to two years. This approach also gives you a guaranteed job on day one.
Canada Job Grant is a federal-provincial program that reimburses employers for a portion of training costs. Ask any prospective employer whether they participate before assuming you are entirely on your own.
Quebec DEP programs and Ontario's skilled trades funding pathways can reduce costs for eligible candidates through the public education system.
Student loans: Some accredited private schools qualify their Class 1 programs for provincial student loan eligibility. Confirm this before enrolling, as not all schools have this designation.
What to Expect in Your First Year of Driving
A new Class 1 or AZ licence opens doors, but most new drivers start with shorter routes to build documented experience. Common entry-level positions include local delivery within a metro area, regional routes under 500 km, and team driving arrangements with a mentor.
After one to two years of verified commercial driving history, you become eligible for long-haul positions, owner-operator arrangements, and higher-paying specialized freight including flatbed, tanker, and oversize loads.
Finding entry-level openings that specifically welcome new licence holders is easier when you use resources focused on the sector. TransportationCareers.ca lists transportation and logistics roles across Canada, including positions suited to drivers who are newly licensed and building their record.
For a broader view of where the industry is hiring, the TransportationCareers.ca job board covers roles from local delivery to cross-country freight.
FAQ
How long does it take to get a trucking licence in Canada?
Most candidates move from learner's permit to a passed road test in 6 to 10 weeks if they enrol in a full-time program. Part-time programs extend that to 3 to 6 months. Wait times for road test appointments, which can run several weeks at busy testing centres, are not always accounted for in school estimates.
Is trucking school mandatory in Canada?
It is not legally mandatory in every province, but it is the practical requirement for almost all candidates. Employers nearly universally require completion of a recognized program. Ontario has been strengthening mandatory training standards for AZ candidates, and other provinces are expected to follow over time.
Can I get a trucking licence with a criminal record?
It depends on the nature and age of the offence. Impaired driving convictions are a significant barrier, both for provincial licensing and for U.S. border crossing eligibility. Contact your provincial motor vehicle authority directly for guidance on your specific situation before investing in training.
What is the difference between a Class 1 and an AZ licence?
They are functionally equivalent. Both authorize the holder to operate combination vehicles including tractor-trailers. Class 1 is used in most Canadian provinces. AZ is Ontario's designation, combining the Class A combination vehicle category with the Z air brake endorsement. Employers understand both terms.
Can I drive commercially in the United States with a Canadian trucking licence?
Yes, but with conditions. You must meet U.S. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requirements, including being at least 21 years old for cross-border commercial operations. Your employer's operating authority covers the carrier-side regulatory requirements. Your Canadian Class 1 or AZ is recognized as equivalent to a U.S. CDL for the purposes of entry.
What does a newly licensed truck driver earn in Canada?
Starting wages for Class 1 drivers vary by region, cargo type, and employer. Entry-level roles generally start in the range of $22 to $28 per hour. Experienced long-haul drivers and owner-operators earn more, and provinces with active resource sectors like Alberta and BC tend to offer higher base rates.
Start Your Trucking Career with TransportationCareers.ca
Getting a trucking licence in Canada is a clear, achievable process. The steps are consistent across provinces, the costs are manageable especially with employer-sponsored options, and the demand for licensed Class 1 and AZ drivers across the country remains strong. Once you hold that licence, you carry a credential recognized coast to coast and a skill that puts you in a field with genuine long-term earning potential.
Ready to take the next step? Visit transportationcareers.ca to explore job opportunities for new and experienced drivers across Canada.
