TORONTO — Ontario is moving to overhaul commercial truck driver training by introducing a standardized province-wide curriculum after an auditor general’s investigation raised serious concerns about inadequate instruction, weak oversight and drivers obtaining licences without receiving all required training.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced that the new entry-level program will require more than 103 hours of training before a driver can obtain a Class A commercial licence. The curriculum is expected to take effect next year.
The province is also considering additional mandatory training in areas such as fatigue management, driving in northern, rural and remote communities, human trafficking awareness and air-brake operation.
The changes follow recommendations from Ontario Auditor General Shelley Spence, whose special report found significant shortcomings in the province’s system for monitoring commercial driver training and licensing.
As part of the investigation, undercover auditors attended two private career colleges offering truck-driving programs. According to the auditor general, neither provided the minimum 103.5 hours of instruction required for graduation.
The investigation also found that some students were not adequately trained in basic driving skills, including making left turns at major intersections, performing emergency stops and reverse parking.
Oversight of training schools was another major concern. The audit found that 54 of Ontario’s 216 career colleges offering the training had not been inspected by the province.
The auditor general warned that weaknesses in training and government oversight increased the risk of inadequately prepared commercial drivers operating on Ontario roads.
Truck safety has been a particular concern in northern Ontario, where communities and organizations have repeatedly called for stronger driver training and enforcement.
The Ontario government accepted the auditor general’s recommendations and launched an inspection blitz of career colleges following the report.
The province has also introduced or announced other measures aimed at commercial vehicle safety, including a mandatory waiting period before new drivers can attempt a Class A road test, the addition of 131 transportation enforcement officers and increased distracted-driving penalties for commercial drivers.
The government says it will consult trucking industry representatives, career colleges and other experts as it develops the new standardized curriculum.
The reforms are intended to create more consistent training standards across Ontario and ensure new commercial drivers receive the practical skills and safety instruction required before operating large trucks on provincial highways.