Business Details
48 Years
experience
Professional Truck Driving & Heavy Equipment Training in Ontario
Established in 1978, Ontario Truck Driving School has been a leader in providing comprehensive transportation and safety training programs. Our mission is to equip individuals with the skills and certifications necessary for successful careers in the trucking and heavy equipment industries. We offer a diverse range of courses, including Class A-F licensing, air brake endorsements, defensive driving, and specialized heavy equipment training. As an approved Amazon Training Partner, we maintain high standards of instruction and industry relevance. Our experienced instructors combine hands-on training with theoretical knowledge to prepare students for real-world challenges.With locations across Ontario, we serve both aspiring drivers and employers seeking workforce development solutions. Our commitment to quality education is reflected in our strong partnerships with local businesses and government-funded training programs. We prioritize student success through flexible scheduling, personalized support, and modern training facilities. Our graduates consistently achieve high pass rates on licensing exams, demonstrating the effectiveness of our training methodologies. For over four decades, we have remained dedicated to advancing safety and professionalism in the transportation sector.
Services
Class A License Training
Heavy Equipment Certification
Air Brake Endorsement
Defensive Driving Course
Online Safety Training
Working at Heights Certification
WHMIS Training
Forklift Operation
School Bus Licensing
Winter Driving Course
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We offer government-funded training programs for eligible candidates
- Our instructors provide personalized hands-on training with modern equipment
- We maintain 83.3% reimbursement rates for employer-sponsored training
- We offer flexible scheduling with locations across Ontario
- Our graduates receive recognized certifications for national job markets
Associations and certifications
- Amazon Training Partner
What people say
Perfect instructor
Extremely helpful staff
Well-organized programs
Vast knowledge
Excellent hands-on training
Services
Class A License Training
Our Class A license program prepares students for professional truck driving careers with comprehensive training in manual and automatic transmissions. The curriculum includes road testing preparation, safety protocols, and industry-specific regulations. Graduates receive certifications recognized across Canada and the United States.
Heavy Equipment Certification
Hands-on heavy equipment training covers operation of boom trucks, forklifts, aerial lifts, and rough terrain vehicles. Courses combine classroom instruction with practical field experience to develop proficiency in construction and industrial settings.
Air Brake Endorsement
This specialized course teaches proper operation and maintenance of air brake systems through both theoretical instruction and practical application. Students gain hands-on experience with modern commercial vehicles and receive certification upon successful completion.
Defensive Driving Course
Our defensive driving program enhances road safety awareness and accident prevention techniques for commercial drivers. The course covers hazard recognition, emergency response, and regulatory compliance for various weather and traffic conditions.
Online Safety Training
Flexible online training options include WHMIS, fall protection, and workplace safety certifications. These self-paced courses meet regulatory requirements while allowing students to complete training at their convenience.
People
Gus
Training Coordinator
With over 15 years in transportation education, Gus specializes in personalized training solutions and student placement. He ensures seamless coordination between classroom instruction and practical training components.
Bill
Senior Instructor
Experienced heavy equipment trainer Bill provides one-on-one instruction with emphasis on safety and operational excellence. His students consistently achieve high pass rates on certification exams.
Christine
Scheduling Manager
Christine manages training schedules and accommodations, ensuring flexibility for working professionals. She coordinates over 200 student placements annually across Ontario locations.
Kimberly
Field Training Coordinator
Kimberly oversees hands-on training logistics, connecting students with experienced mentors for practical skill development in real-world operating environments.
Barry Martin
Safety Instructor
Certified safety expert Barry teaches air brake systems and defensive driving techniques. He develops curriculum that aligns with current industry safety standards and regulatory requirements.
Questions
What government funding options are available?
Eligible students can access Better Jobs Ontario, Canada-Ontario Job Grant, and LendCare financing for affordable payment plans starting at $70/month.
How long does the AZ MELT program take?
The Class AZ MELT program typically completes in 8-10 weeks with combined classroom and practical training components.
Do you offer weekend training sessions?
While regular hours are Monday-Friday 7:30-5:30, some locations offer flexible scheduling options for working professionals.
Are accommodations provided for out-of-town students?
Selected locations offer overnight accommodations at no extra cost for students traveling from distant regions.
What certifications are included in training?
Training includes air brake endorsement, working at heights, WHMIS, and defensive driving certifications alongside primary license preparation.
Do you guarantee job placement after training?
While we don't guarantee jobs, we maintain strong industry connections and provide career support services to help graduates find employment opportunities.
Reviews (6)
Amandeep Singh
Jan 12, 2022
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Positive:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
Amazing experience! Dale is an amazing mentor and is very knowledgeable and helpful! She is professional and taught me everything quite thoroughly which Im very grateful for. Id 100% recommend learning here!
Amazing experience! Dale is an amazing mentor and is very knowledgeable and helpful! She is professional and taught me everything quite thoroughly which Im very grateful for. Id 100% recommend learning here!
Andre Williams
Dec 24, 2021
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I had a great experience at OTDS. All the staffs in the office are amazing.My AZ instructors, Rob Perry, Rob Ross, George, RJ, Bob, and Sci, thank u guys for helping me to get my AZ on the first try. And my heavy equipment instructors thank u guys . Learned a lot. Thanks Gus .
Rob Perry is Amazing.
Rob Perry is Amazing.
Jon Boonstra
Dec 24, 2021
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Went through there 5 piece and AZ course. All the instructors in the heavy equipment are very knowledgeable and help when ever needed if your new or experienced they will work with you great people. My AZ instructor was George definitely a great instructor I had problems in school learning as a child. George definitely knows how to work with people with different ways of teaching you and was very helpful. I would recommend George. I would also recommend all of the heavy equipment trainers there all great people. The owner is allways there to help with any issues. The ladies in the office are amazing
P. Eskildsen
Dec 13, 2021
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I wanted to extend my heartfelt thanks to the entire crew at OTDS for all of their help in setting me along a new path. I had been in touch with Gus off and on over the last few years and when the opportunity arose to finally attend training he was available immediately to make sure everything came together. Christine set up my in class training very quickly with an easy to follow schedule. Kim was flexible and got me out almost immediately to start my hands on learning. I was very lucky to be placed with Bill who did a fantastic job at passing along his vast wealth of knowledge and it was very
Artur Fluor Introvini
Nov 30, 2021
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I started my AZ course in September and by mid October, I had passed the AZ road test on my first try. It was mostly because of my in-cab instructor Rob Perrin.
Rob is a great teacher, made sure I was always confident about the maneuvers I was performing, and explained the best ways to tackle the challenges of driving a tractor-trailer vehicle. The most important part to me was how straight forward Rob was about what was needed to pass the test. Eliminating any and all information that would not be relevant when going for the test, which resulted in me getting a near perfect overall score on
Rob is a great teacher, made sure I was always confident about the maneuvers I was performing, and explained the best ways to tackle the challenges of driving a tractor-trailer vehicle. The most important part to me was how straight forward Rob was about what was needed to pass the test. Eliminating any and all information that would not be relevant when going for the test, which resulted in me getting a near perfect overall score on
Liam Fisher
Nov 16, 2021
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I took the AZ MELT program, completed in a little over two months. Everything was very well organized and staff was quick to answer any questions or help work around your schedule. The office staff is very kind and helpful at all times. The airbrake course was very well done, using a knowledgeable instructor that helped ensure everyone passed. Thank you to Barry Martin. You will learn almost everything to know about being a professional truck driver while working through the course material, so make sure you pay attention and really absorb it. What really completed my experience was having Rob