Brampton, ON — Today, the office of Amarjot Sandhu, Member of Provincial Parliament for Brampton West, is pleased to announce a pivotal development in Ontario’s driver-licensing and road-safety regime, reflecting the success of his private members’ motion now incorporated into the provincial legislation introduced by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (“MTO”).
A Safer Path to Commercial Driving
At the heart of the update is a new one-year waiting period following the issuance of a Class G (fully-licensed) driver’s licence before a driver may challenge the commercial-driver licence tests. This measure, originally advanced by MPP Sandhu’s motion, is designed to ensure that drivers accrue real-world driving experience under standard conditions before transferring into more complex commercial-vehicle operations.
“Maturing behind the wheel builds better judgment,” says MPP Sandhu. “By slowing the jump into commercial driving, we protect our roads, protect communities in Brampton West and across Ontario, and strengthen public-confidence in our transportation system.”
New Safeguards on Applicant Eligibility
Alongside the waiting-period reform, the new bill introduces three additional protections:
- Visa & work-permit verification for all applicants seeking a commercial driver licence.
- Visitors to Canada will no longer qualify to obtain a commercial driver’s licence.
- Ending automatic recognition of foreign licences from non-reciprocal jurisdictions.
Together, these measures strengthen Ontario’s driver-licensing system by ensuring applicants meet full eligibility criteria, have verifiable credentials, and — in the case of foreign-trained drivers — face fair evaluation rather than automatic equivalence.
Why These Changes Matter
Road-safety is a top priority for families, communities and employers alike. Commercial-vehicle operations pose heightened risks, given the weight, speed and operational complexity of large trucks, buses and heavy equipment.
By instituting a minimum one-year of general-licence experience, Ontario is:
- reducing the exposure of inexperienced drivers to commercial scenarios;
- encouraging incremental skill-building rather than abrupt escalation;
- sending a clear signal that the province takes road-safety seriously.
Meanwhile, the non-licensing reforms address issues of fairness, oversight and competitiveness: ensuring that all commercial licence-holders meet the same foundational standards, and that foreign licence recognition does not undermine safety because of lax equivalence systems.
A Message from MPP Sandhu
“I’m proud that this private-members motion has found its way into government legislation. It’s not just about Brampton West — it’s about all Ontarians who count on safe roads, reliable drivers, and a licensing system that respects experience and accountability.
“When we require one year on a Class G licence, we give drivers that time to build habits, awareness, and confidence — before they’re behind the wheel of a commercial vehicle.
“By verifying visas and work-permits, we guard against loopholes. By ending automatic recognition for foreign licences from non-reciprocal countries, we ensure fairness and safety. Visitors won’t be able to step into commercial licences as if they were permanent professionals without meeting full standards.
“This is about common-sense reform. About protecting our kids, our families, our neighbours. Together, we are making Ontario’s roads safer, and building a future where we can all trust the licence-holders who drive professionally. I look forward to the day this bill is passed, implemented, and delivering results for Brampton and for the province.”
What’s Next
The legislation is currently part of the MTO bill introduced at the provincial legislature. As the Legislative Assembly progresses through debate, committee review and potential amendments, constituents are invited to follow developments, ask questions and engage with the MPP’s office. Once passed, MTO will provide details of how and when the new waiting-period, verification and recognition changes will be rolled-out.