How to Get Your AZ License in Ontario: The Complete Guide (2026)
Costs, MELT training, road test tips, school comparisons, and what Bill 60 means for immigrant drivers.
Getting an AZ license in Ontario costs $7,500 to $16,000 and takes 2 to 4 months if you already have a G license. You need to complete the MELT program (103.5+ hours), pass a knowledge test, and pass the AZ road test. The AZ lets you operate any commercial vehicle including tractor-trailers. New in 2025: Bill 60 now requires 1 year of Canadian driving experience before you can apply for a commercial license.
How Much Does an AZ License Cost in Ontario?
The biggest cost is MELT training. Everything else is small by comparison. Here is the full breakdown for 2026:
| Item | Cost (CAD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MELT Training Program | $7,000 - $15,000 | GTA schools typically $8,000-$12,000 |
| Medical Exam | $100 - $200 | Not covered by OHIP |
| Knowledge Test | ~$16 | Per attempt at DriveTest |
| AZ Road Test | ~$97 | Must book at drivetest.ca |
| License Issuance | ~$90 | 5-year license |
| Driver's Abstract | ~$18 | From ServiceOntario |
| Total | $7,500 - $16,000 | Assuming you already have a G license |
Some drivers qualify for government funding through Better Jobs Ontario, Canada Ontario Job Grant, or Employment Ontario programs. Your school can help you apply.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Your AZ License
Here is the exact process, in order. No fluff, no guessing.
Get Your G License
You need a valid Ontario Class G driver's licence before anything else. Not G1, not G2. The full G. If you hold a driver's licence from another province, visit a DriveTest centre to exchange it. If you are starting fresh, the graduated licensing system takes about 20 months minimum.
Book Your Medical Exam
Visit an MTO-approved physician for a commercial driver medical exam. They check your vision, heart, blood pressure, hearing, and general fitness. Costs $100-$200 out of pocket. OHIP does not cover this. If you have diabetes or sleep apnea, bring documentation.
Pass the Knowledge Test
Book at any DriveTest centre. Study the MTO Truck Handbook plus the air brake manual. The test costs ~$16 per attempt. You can also practice with our free quiz tool which has 1,000+ questions for all provinces.
Complete MELT Training (4-6 weeks)
Pick an approved school (see list below). Full-time MELT runs about 5 weeks. Part-time or weekends takes 8-12 weeks. You get 36.5 hours of classroom, 17 hours of yard training, and 50 hours of on-road driving. Most programs include the Z air brake endorsement (12 extra hours).
Book and Pass the AZ Road Test
Book through drivetest.ca. Wait times in the GTA run 2-8 weeks. If you can test outside the GTA, the wait is shorter. You need to bring your own truck (or your school provides one). The test has 4 parts: vehicle inspection, coupling/uncoupling, backing, and on-road driving.
Get Your AZ License Card
Pass the road test and you walk out with a temporary license. Your permanent card arrives in the mail. You are now licensed to drive tractor-trailers across Canada. Use our Safety Lookup tool to check any carrier before you sign, and our Trip Planner to plan your first run.
MELT Program: What You Need to Know
MELT stands for Mandatory Entry-Level Training. Ontario made it required for all new Class A applicants in July 2017 as part of the driver certification program. Every truck driver training school and training centre must follow this curriculum. You can not skip it, no matter how much driving experience you have. The endorsement course for air brakes (the Z endorsement) is usually bundled with AZ truck driver training programs.
| Component | Hours | What You Learn |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom | 36.5 hrs | Traffic laws, vehicle dynamics, HOS rules, trip planning, vehicle inspection theory |
| In-Yard | 17 hrs | Pre-trip inspections, coupling/uncoupling, backing, safety procedures |
| In-Cab (On-Road) | 50 hrs | City driving, highway, shifting, lane changes, weather driving, one-on-one with instructor |
| Air Brake (Z) | 12 hrs | Air system mechanics, pressure management, brake testing |
| Total | 115.5 hrs | Minimum 103.5 hrs required. Most schools do 115+. |
Manual transmission matters. If you train and test on an automatic or semi-automatic, your AZ license gets a restriction. Most long-haul trucking jobs require manual. Get trained on a manual with 8+ gears from the start.
How Long Does It Take to Get an AZ License?
If you already have a G license
2-4 months total. Medical + knowledge test (1-2 weeks), MELT training (4-6 weeks full-time), road test wait (2-8 weeks). Some drivers do it in 2 months flat if the road test booking lines up.
Starting from scratch (no G license)
2+ years. The Ontario graduated licensing system takes about 20 months (G1 to G2 to G). Then add the MELT program and road test. And under Bill 60, new immigrants need 1 year of Canadian driving experience before they can even apply.
The AZ Road Test: What to Expect
The road test is where most people stress out. Here is exactly what happens.
Part 1: Daily Vehicle Inspection
The examiner picks 6 random items from the daily inspection checklist. You walk around the truck and identify minor and major defects. One error allowed.
Part 2: Coupling & Uncoupling
Disconnect and reconnect the trailer following proper procedure. Check fifth wheel, kingpin, glad hands, safety chains. This is the #1 failure reason. Get the kingpin/locking jaw inspection right.
Part 3: Backing Skills
Either offset backing or alley dock (90-degree). You have 10 minutes. Your school will drill this until you can do it with your eyes closed.
Part 4: On-Road Driving
Turns, intersections, lane changes, expressway driving, roadside stops. Up to 30 errors allowed across this section and backing combined. Check your mirrors. Signal everything.
Do not forget your equipment. You must use for your road test: wheel chocks, a timing device, a brake pedal holding device, and a pushrod stroke measuring tool. Missing any of these and your test gets cancelled. You still lose 50% of the fee. You must successfully complete a road test in a vehicle with full air brakes and manual transmission to earn an AZ licence without restrictions.
DZ vs AZ License: Which One Do You Need?
Short answer: if you want a career as a truck driver, get the AZ. Here is why. The AZ licence allows you to drive tractor-trailers, dump trucks, tankers, and every other combination vehicle on Ontario roads.
| DZ License | AZ License | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicles | Straight trucks (dump, cement, tanker) | Tractor-trailers, doubles, all combos |
| MELT Required? | No | Yes (103.5+ hours) |
| Training Cost | $2,000 - $5,000 | $7,000 - $15,000 |
| Training Time | 1-3 weeks | 4-6 weeks |
| Typical Salary | $45K - $65K/year | $50K - $100K+/year |
| Career Scope | Local delivery, construction | Long-haul, cross-border, all jobs |
An AZ driver can drive a truck of any size: tractor-trailers, dump trucks, B-trains, doubles, tankers, and flatbeds. Drivers with an AZ license can also drive everything a DZ licence covers. If you upgrade from DZ to AZ later, you still need the full MELT training program. No shortcuts. Save yourself the trouble and get your AZ license from the start. The road test will determine what types of vehicles you can safely operate as a commercial driver's licence holder in Ontario.
Top Truck Driving Schools in Brampton & GTA
These schools are MELT-approved and have real Google reviews from real students. Schools marked with ਪੰਜਾਬੀ offer Punjabi-language instruction.
New Gen Truck Driving School
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ350 Rutherford Rd S Unit-220, Brampton
Ratings and reviews from Google Maps as of March 2026. Browse all driving schools on DesiRig →
Bill 60: What Changed for Immigrant Drivers (2025)
If you moved to Canada recently, pay attention. Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act) changed the rules for commercial licensing in Ontario.
1 year of Canadian driving experience required
You must hold a valid Canadian license for 1 full year before you can apply for Class A. This is the biggest new barrier.
Immigration status verification
MTO will verify your visa, work permit, or PR status through IRCC databases before issuing a commercial license.
Tourist visa holders blocked
If you are in Canada on a visitor visa, you can not get an AZ or DZ license. You need a work permit or PR.
No automatic license conversion from India
India does not have a reciprocal agreement with Ontario. You must do everything from scratch: G license, MELT, AZ road test.
If you already have a valid Ontario G license and have been driving for over a year, Bill 60 does not affect you. The new driver's licence requirements mainly hit fresh immigrants planning to obtain your AZ or DZ and drive in Ontario right away. Once you get an AZ, you can get a truck and start earning. Many truck driver training courses and training schools in Brampton, Mississauga, and Oshawa can walk you through the full process.
Free AZ Practice Tests
The written knowledge test is multiple choice, based on the MTO Truck Handbook and the air brake or 'Z' endorsement course manual. Practice before you visit a DriveTest centre. DesiRig has a free license quiz tool with 1,000+ questions covering all 10 provinces. It is the best way to prepare for earning an AZ or DZ in Ontario.
Practice AZ License Questions
1,000+ bilingual questions. Air brakes, pre-trip inspection, HOS rules, road signs. Practice mode or timed test mode.
Start Free QuizKey Takeaways
- Budget $8,000-$13,000 for the full AZ license process (MELT + fees)
- Timeline: 2-4 months if you already have your G license
- MELT is mandatory since 2017. No exceptions, no shortcuts. 115+ hours of training.
- Get AZ, not DZ if you want long-haul work in the trucking industry. AZ covers every commercial vehicle DZ does plus tractor-trailers.
- Train on manual transmission or your license gets restricted. Most jobs require manual.
- Bill 60 now requires 1 year of Canadian driving experience for new immigrants before applying for commercial licenses.
- Practice the knowledge test before booking. Use our free quiz tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an AZ license cost in Ontario?
The total cost ranges from $7,500 to $16,000 CAD. MELT training is the biggest chunk ($7,000-$15,000). Add the medical exam ($100-$200), knowledge test ($16), road test ($97), and license fees ($90).
How long does it take to get an AZ license?
2 to 4 months if you already have a G license. MELT training runs 4-6 weeks full-time, plus 2-8 weeks for road test booking. Starting from scratch with no G license adds 20+ months.
What is the difference between AZ and DZ?
AZ lets you drive tractor-trailers (semi-trucks) and all combination vehicles. DZ is limited to straight trucks like dump trucks and cement mixers. AZ requires MELT training, costs more, but opens up all trucking jobs including long-haul and cross-border.
Can I use my Indian license to get an AZ in Ontario?
No. India does not have a license exchange agreement with Ontario. You need to get a full Ontario G license from scratch, complete MELT training, and pass the AZ road test. Under Bill 60, you also need 1 year of Canadian driving experience.
Are there Punjabi truck driving schools in Brampton?
Yes. Peel Truck Driving School, A1 Transportation Academy, New Gen Truck Driving School, Moga Truck Driving School, and Global Truck Academy all offer instruction in Punjabi. The DriveTest knowledge and road tests are only in English or French.
What is Bill 60 and how does it affect getting a truck license?
Bill 60 (2025) requires 1 year of Canadian driving experience before applying for a commercial license (AZ/DZ). It also blocks tourist visa holders from getting commercial licenses and requires MTO to verify immigration status. This mainly affects new immigrants planning trucking careers.
What happens during the AZ road test?
Four parts: daily vehicle inspection (6 random items), coupling and uncoupling the trailer, a backing maneuver (offset or alley dock), and on-road driving. You must bring your own truck with full air brakes, manual transmission with 8+ gears, and equipment like wheel chocks.
Can I upgrade from DZ to AZ?
Yes, but you still need the full MELT program. Having a DZ does not shorten the AZ training. It is the same 103.5+ hour program. If you plan to drive tractor-trailers, get AZ from the start.