Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has sent letters to some truck drivers to retake A/Z knowledge and road tests.
“Due to irregularities discovered during an audit of your test provider, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) cannot verify that your A/Z knowledge and road tests were conducted to Ontario standards,” a ministry letter obtained by trucknews.com states.
To maintain their Class A/Z licence, MTO has ordered the drivers to successfully complete a vision and knowledge test within 60 days of the date of the letter and a road test within 120 days, at a DriveTest center.
Trucknews.com knows of at least two truck drivers who have received the letter. One of them, who got their licence a year ago, has been working as a longhaul driver making trips to the U.S., according to a source who requested anonymity.
The source, who owns and operates a truck driving school, said that two drivers approached the school to brush up their skills for the road test.
An MTO official told trucknews.com that the ministry conducts audits of driver training organizations as part of its oversight to ensure compliance with program standards and guidelines.
Drivers must pay for knowledge and road test
“An audit of a Driver Certification Program organization found that knowledge and road tests may not have been conducted in accordance with MTO requirements and standards. MTO is requiring affected drivers, including Class A/Z licence holders, to retake these tests to confirm they meet licensing standards,” she said.
In the letter to drivers, MTO noted that the action is authorized under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, section 32(5), and Ontario Regulation 340/94, section 15.
The drivers not only pay to retake the tests, but must also supply their own vehicle for the road test, which includes a Class A truck and trailer combination with a full air brake system.
Failure will lead to licence downgrade
“You are advised to have a driver who is licensed to drive [a] Class A truck and trailer combination accompany you to your road test or prepare alternative means of returning your vehicle if you do not successfully complete your road test,” the MTO letter says.
The ministry warned the drivers that their A/Z licence will be downgraded to the next highest class of licence they are qualified to hold without any retesting if they: fail the vison, knowledge or road tests; fail to successfully complete the vision and knowledge test within 60 days from the date of the letter; or fail to successfully complete the road test within 120 days from the date of the letter.
If their A/Z licence is downgraded, the driver can upgrade it by completing all required testing at a future date, MTO said.
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