Who Can Train & Get Licensed with TTCC?
If you’re considering a high-demand, high-paying career as a truck driver or heavy equipment operator, you’re in the right place. At Transport Training Centres of Canada (TTCC), we help thousands of students every year meet provincial licensing requirements and launch successful careers in transportation, logistics, and construction.
Before you can begin your journey, it’s important to understand what qualifications and documents are needed to enroll. Each licence has its own guidelines for age, licensing, vision, and medical requirements. These standards are designed to ensure safety on the road and on the job site — and we’re here to guide you through every step of the process.
Whether you’re a recent graduate, looking for a career change, or a newcomer to Canada, this guide will help you understand if you’re eligible to begin training — and what comes next.
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Want to speak to a human? Our Admissions Specialists are just a phone call away.
We’ll talk you through your eligibility, help with paperwork, and connect you with funding options so you can get started on your training with confidence.
Shared National Standards Across Ontario, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia
Although each province regulates its own commercial driver’s licences and heavy equipment operator training, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia all follow national guidelines to ensure safety, competency, and employment mobility.
National Frameworks Behind Provincial Standards
- National Safety Code (NSC): Overseen by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), the NSC sets core safety and training requirements for commercial drivers across Canada. All three provinces incorporate these standards in their truck licensing systems, including mandatory medical exams, air brake standards, and MELT-style training for Class 1/AZ.
- Red Seal & Apprenticeship Guidelines: For heavy equipment operator roles, trade competencies are often aligned with interprovincial Red Seal standards, or provincial apprenticeship pathways. While HEO is not a Red Seal trade, many curriculum elements — such as pre-operating checks, job site safety, and equipment-specific training — are shared nationally.
- Labour Mobility & Licensing Equivalency: Thanks to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), commercial licences and many trade certifications earned in one province are recognized in others. For example:
- A Class 1 licence from NB or NS is equivalent to Ontario’s AZ licence
- A Class 3 licence is equivalent to Ontario’s DZ licence
What This Means for You
Whether you train in Ontario, NB, or NS:
- You’ll receive nationally consistent training standards
- Your credentials are transferable across provinces
- Employers across Canada will recognize your licence and training
This shared framework helps TTCC graduates start local and go national, with job opportunities across industries like long-haul transport, construction, infrastructure, and logistics.
Truck Driver Licence Eligibility
AZ (Class A) Licence / Class 1 Licence
What you can drive: tractor-trailers (any weight), double trailers, car + trailers, and vehicles with air brakes.
Requirements:
- 18+ years old
- Valid driver’s license (G licence or Class 5)
- Medical report
- Vision test
Ontario drivers must complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) approved by MTO before road test and pass a written and road test using eligible vehicle (8+ gears, full air-brakes). Learn more at Ontario’s “Get a truck driver’s licence” guide
DZ (Class D) Licence / Class 3 Licence
What you can drive: straight trucks, single trailers under 4,600 kg.
Requirements:
- 18+ years old
- Valid Ontario G licence (G1/G2 holders are not eligible)
- Medical report
- Vision test
Air Brake “Z” Endorsement
Required for any MTO licence to drive air-brake-equipped trucks.
Requirements:
- Hold at least a full G licence
- Take a 2-day 12-hour “Z” course through MTO-approved provider — like TTCC
- No separate licence test — endorsement is added post-course
Official syllabus: Ontario Air Brake Handbook
F Licence (Bus/Ambulance)
Allows operation of ambulances and up to 24-seat buses.
Requirements:
- Full G licence
- Medical test (commercial standards)
- Complete TTCC’s practical training and road test prep
- Official info on bus licensing: Ontario Ministry classes
Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Training
Ontario – Excavator, Backhoe, Dozer, Loader, Grader
Requirements:
- Open to all ages (most students 18+)
- No previous licence required
- No medical report is required, however possession of a valid medical report (including vision and hearing) is often essential for job-site entry, as many employers and WSIB/OHSA-compliant worksites require it to ensure physical fitness and workplace safety.
Programs align with provincial standards (e.g., excavator operator) ontario.ca
New Brunswick – HEO (Excavator, Backhoe, etc.)
Operates under apprenticeship route:
- Approx. 20% classroom + 80% paid on-job training
- Requires Certificate of Qualification via provincial apprenticeship GNB Guidelines (PDF)
Want to check your eligibility?
- Speak to Admissions — We’ll confirm your current licences and any outstanding requirements.
- Book Eligibility Check — Especially for heavy equipment and commercial licences.
- Apply for Training Grants — Many programs cost little to no upfront thanks to provincial funding (Better Jobs Ontario, NB apprenticeship grants).
What does the medical exam involve?
For truck driving licenses, The provincial government requires a medical report detailing health history, vital signs, urine test, hearing, vision, and physical fitness.
Why These Matter
- Medical and hearing clearances ensure safety and reduce liability for students and employers.
- Regular renewals are critical for maintaining valid commercial licence status.
- Before entering HEO or commercial roles, students may be required to provide recent medical documentation.
This report needs to be re-submitted every five years if you are under 46 years old. If you are 46 or older, will need to submit more frequently.
When undergoing a commercial driver’s medical exam, here are some of the tests that you may be expected to undergo:
- Assessment and review of the patient’s medical history
- Urine testing
- Vision testing
- Hearing test
- Filling out medical forms
- Conducting any other medical tests listed on the MTO medical form for commercial drivers
Learn More About…
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a medical to take heavy equipment operator (HEO) training?
No, not provincially — you don’t need a medical exam to begin HEO training in Ontario, NB, or NS.
However, many employers and job sites will require you to pass a physical exam or show proof of fitness for employment after you complete training.
What medical conditions could affect my commercial licence eligibility?
Common conditions that may delay or disqualify commercial driver eligibility include:
- Poor corrected or uncorrected vision (must meet minimum thresholds)
- Hearing loss without proper aid
- Epilepsy or seizure disorders
- Insulin-dependent diabetes (requires clearance)
- Cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, or neurological conditions that limit driving ability
Always check with a licensed physician or your provincial transportation authority.
What vision standards do I need to meet?
All commercial drivers must pass a vision test, including:
- Visual acuity: at least 20/30 (with or without correction)
- Peripheral vision: minimum horizontal field of 120 degrees
- Colour vision: assessed for traffic light recognition
Do I need to take a hearing test?
Yes. Hearing assessments are required during your commercial driver medical exam in Ontario, NB, and NS.
If you use a hearing aid, it must ensure safe hearing levels during operation.
Can newcomers or immigrants apply for training?
Absolutely. TTCC welcomes newcomers to Canada and supports their path into commercial trucking or HEO.
You must provide:
- A valid Ontario G licence (or equivalent exchange-approved licence)
- Completed medical report (for truck training)
- Legal authorization to work in Canada (for job placement support)