If you’re thinking about becoming a truck driver in Ontario, you’ll need to acquire your Class AZ license first. Getting a license to drive a truck can be a good career move, especially for recent immigrants with no formal education or training. But this type of training can be very expensive and cost thousands of dollars. Thankfully, government funding for an AZ license in Ontario is available if you can qualify.
Key Points
- To become a truck driver with an AZ license in Ontario, you must undergo specific training, which can cost thousands of dollars.
- Government funding is available to help cover the cost of training for an AZ license in Ontario.
- Other financial assistance may also be available from non-government sources, including personal loans and school payment plans.
What Is An AZ License In Ontario?
The AZ is a special class of driver’s license that lets qualified Ontario drivers operate the following types of vehicles:
- Straight trucks (26 feet) or tractor-trailers (53 feet)
- Towed vehicles with total weights exceeding 4,600 kg (10,000 lbs)
- Towed vehicles with air brakes
- Tractors that pull double trailers (B-trains)
If you don’t qualify for the Z-endorsement with your Class A license, you can only drive:
- Class G vehicles (cars or trucks)
- Heavy Trucks (in Class D)
- Class A vehicles (including trailers) that do not have air brakes
Most Class AZ drivers in Ontario operate tractor-trailers locally or over long distances (long-haul trucking).
Can I Drive A Bus With An AZ License?
No, a Class AZ license does not allow you to drive passenger buses. If that’s your goal, you must first obtain a Class B, C, E, or F license, based on the passenger capacity of the bus you wish to operate.
How Much Does It Cost To Get An AZ License?
To get a Class AZ license in Ontario, you need to complete a Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) course. This is a 103.5-hour program that is required for the road test and covers the skills and knowledge needed to safely operate large commercial trucks.
The MELT course can cost anywhere from $4900 to $15,000, depending on the truck driving school and what it offers.
Hidden Costs Of Getting An AZ License
Getting an AZ license in Ontario is a great way to jump-start a potentially lucrative career on the road, but there are other costs besides tuition that you need to budget for. Here are a few hidden and often overlooked costs that should be considered:
- Medical exam fees
- Driver’s abstract
- Knowledge and road test fees
- Licensing and permit costs
- Travel or accommodation (if school is far)
- Retesting Fees
- Gear and supplies
- Lost income during training
The cost of these items can vary widely. Be sure to get a rough estimate of these costs as per your particular situation so you can budget realistically.
Can You Get Government Funding For An AZ License In Ontario?
As you can see, it can be expensive to get your Class AZ license in Ontario. Luckily, there are ways to get government or private funding to cover those costs, including the following:
Windmill Loan: Government Funding For An AZ License In Ontario
Windmill Microlending was founded in 2005. It is a national charity in Canada that offers affordable micro-loans to skilled immigrants and refugees. Their loans range up to $15,000 and are meant to help eligible new Canadians cover the costs of accreditation, training, and career development. Windmill also offers services like:
- Client success coaching
- Mentorship programs
- Financial planning and budgeting tools
- Career development resources
So, if you’ve recently become a Canadian resident and need some help paying for your Class AZ license in Ontario, a Windmill microloan could help you finance it.
Ontario Job Creation Partnerships (OJCP): Government Funding For An AZ License In Ontario
The Ontario Job Creation Partnership program provides funding to qualifying employers to cover the cost of employment activities designed to create job opportunities for candidates. Participants can receive financial support while training to get their AZ license.
Ontario Works: Government Funding For An AZ License In Ontario
Ontario Works is a government assistance program that provides financial and employment support to eligible Ontario residents. The program may provide financial assistance to those training for their AZ license as part of its employment support programs.
How Government Funding Affects Taxes
Government funding for an AZ license in Ontario, can directly reduce your tax bill by offering refundable tax credits.
More specifically, the Canada Training Credit is a refundable credit that helps cover eligible tuition and other fees that you paid for courses you took last year and subsequent tax years.
Each year, you will accumulate $250 towards your Canada Training Credit, to a maximum of $5,000, as long as you pass certain requirements.
To claim the Canada Training Credit for a tax year, you must meet specific conditions as well:
- File an income tax return for the year
- Be a resident of Canada throughout the tax year
- Have a positive Canada Training Credit limit for the year
- Be over the age of 26 and under the age of 66 at the end of the tax year
- Pay tuition or fees to an eligible educational facility during the year
- Tuition costs are otherwise eligible for the existing tuition tax credit
Alternatives To Government Funding For An AZ License In Ontario
If you don’t qualify for any of the credits above, you may have other options available:
Personal Loans
A personal loan can also help spread the cost of your AZ license out over several months. Personal loans are available from banks, credit unions, and alternative lenders. To qualify for the best interest rates and terms, you must have a good credit score, a decent income, and a low debt (or debt-to-income ratio).
If you’re a newcomer with no credit history but a stable income, you can still qualify for a loan through an alternative lender. Just remember that these lenders often have higher rates than Big Banks like TD. If you want to get the best rate, try improving your finances and credit score. You can use a secured credit card to help build your credit and use Compare Hub to track your credit score progress for free.
Borrow Up To $50,000
Truck Driving School Payment Plans
Many truck driving schools offer payment plans to make it easier for students to cover the cost of training. These plans spread the cost of tuition over several months, often with low interest options. That way, students will only need to come up with much smaller increments and have a lot more time to pay for their training rather than having to come up with the full amount upfront.
Credit Cards
If you have a credit card, you may use it to cover the upfront cost of AZ driving school, as long as you’re certain that you can manage the payments. This is not an ideal solution, however, as credit cards tend to come with high interest rates. If you’re unable to pay off the balance before the billing due date, you’ll be charged a high interest rate on your balance.
If this becomes unmanageable, you may consider moving your balance to a balance transfer credit card with a low- or no-interest promotional rate. As long as you’re able to repay the balance within the introductory period, this option may be considered. However, keep in mind that there are also balance transfer fees involved, which can range from 3% to 5% of the transferred amount.
What Kind Of Jobs Can You Get As An AZ License Holder?
Once you have your Class AZ License, there are many jobs you can qualify for in Ontario and the rest of Canada. Some of the more common truck driver jobs are:
- Delivery Driver: A driver who transports goods and other cargo to specific destinations, such as retail stores, warehouses, and food or beverage sellers.
- Owner-Operator: A driver who owns and operates a personal truck, then signs contracts with various companies and clients to transport cargo for them.
- Local Truck Driver: A driver who usually transports goods within a specific region (Ontario in this case) and is able to return home at the end of each day.
- Long-Haul Truck Driver: A driver who transports freight between provinces or across Canada, which may keep them on the road for days or weeks at a time.
How Much Do AZ Drivers In Ontario Make?
According to Jooble, the average annual salary for AZ truck drivers in Ontario can range from $48,806 to $90,565.
Several factors influence how much you can potentially earn as an AZ truck driver, including the following:
- Type of driving (ie. local vs. long-haul)
- Type of cargo
- Specialization
- The company or employer
Job Market Outlook For AZ Drivers In Ontario
The job market for AZ drivers in Ontario looks very strong and stable for the foreseeable future, with demand expected to remain high well into the next decade. Here are a few key metrics that point to a robust labour market for AZ drivers in Ontario and across Canada:
- Labour Shortage: The Canadian government projects a continued shortage of transport truck drivers through 2035, which means more job openings than qualified applicants.
- Ontario Outlook: Specifically in Ontario, the job prospects for AZ drivers are considered very good, pointing to strong employer demand.
- Current Listings: There are hundreds of truck driver job listings currently posted across Ontario, with new listings added daily.
Why AZ Drivers Are In Demand
There are several reasons why truck drivers continue to be in demand in Ontario and across the country:
- Essential Industry: Ontario’s well-developed transportation sector relies heavily on licensed AZ drivers to move products across Canada and into the U.S.
- Recession-Resistant: Trucking is considered a reliable career path due to its key role in supply chains. This is true even during economic downturns.
- Competitive Pay: Many positions offer strong pay.
How To Get A Class AZ License
In order to obtain your full Class AZ license in Ontario (with no restrictions), you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have an Ontario driver’s license (besides G1, G2, M, M1, or M2)
- Present a valid medical report
- Finish a mandatory entry-level training course
- Pass a vision test
- Pass a knowledge test about operating tractor-trailers and large trucks
- Pass a road test using a vehicle that meets the criteria for a full Class A license
To complete your road test, you must be driving a vehicle that has a:
- Trailer with a Manufacturer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of at least 4,600 kg
- Manual transmission consisting of at least 8 forward gears with a high-tow range
- Full brake air system on both the truck/tractor and trailer
If your vehicle does not meet the requirements for a full Class AZ license, you can:
- Reschedule your road test (in exchange for an additional fee)
OR
- Take your road test, knowing that you will receive a restricted Class A license (condition R) or a Class A manual transmission restriction (not a full Class A)
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Applying For AZ License Funding
When applying for financing to cover the cost of AZ driver training and licensing, be sure to avoid the following pitfalls:
- Not Researching Eligibility Requirements: Many programs have strict criteria for approval, so make sure you read the fine print and confirm you meet all conditions before applying.
- Choosing Unapproved Training Providers: Some applicants enroll in schools that aren’t recognized by the Ministry or funding programs. Only use government-approved training institutions that offer MELT.
- Incomplete Or Inaccurate Applications: Missing documents, typos, or vague answers can delay or disqualify your application. Double-check everything and ask for help if needed.
- Not Budgeting For Hidden Costs: Even with financing, you may still need to cover other fees, as mentioned. This can include things like medical exams, books, or travel. So, be sure to plan for these out-of-pocket expenses.
Final Thoughts
Being an AZ truck driver in Ontario is a potentially lucrative career. With the right training, you can gain the skills and access the appropriate sources to get started on a fruitful career on the road. However, this type of training is very expensive and may warrant some financial assistance. Make sure to factor the associated costs into your budget and look into all the different ways you can finance them.
