48 topics · Updated 2026-09-17
Temporary condition signs warn of unusual temporary conditions such as road work zones, diversions, detours, lane closures or traffic-control people. They are usually diamond-shaped with an orange background and black letters or symbols.
Signs indicate construction ahead, survey crews, traffic control persons (drive slowly and follow instructions), detours, milled/grooved pavement (reduced stopping/traction), lane closures requiring merging, and pilot/pace vehicles that must not be passed. Fines for speeding are doubled in designated construction zones when workers are present.
Temporary condition signs warn of unusual temporary conditions such as road work zones, diversions, detours, lane closures or traffic-control people. They are usually diamond-shaped with an orange background and black letters or symbols.
Signs indicate construction work ahead (e.g. 1 km), road work ahead, survey crew working, traffic control person ahead (drive slowly, watch for instructions), and construction zone begins (drive with extra caution, prepare for a lower speed limit).
Signs include temporary detours from the normal route, flashing directional arrows, milled/grooved pavement warnings (reduced stopping and traction), lane-closed-ahead signs (merge into the open lane), and closed-lane arrows (adjust speed to merge as indicated).
Do not pass a pilot or pace vehicle bearing the DO NOT PASS WHEN FLASHING sign. A STOP/SLOW paddle means reduce speed and be prepared to stop. Follow detour markers until you return to the regular route.
A SPEED FINES DOUBLED IN CONSTRUCTION ZONES WHEN WORKERS PRESENT sign enforces doubled HTA fines for speeding in a designated construction zone when workers are present.
You must know the normal appearance of air bags in suspension systems and recognize signs of damage that may cause deflation. Inspect for audible air leaks and damaged air bags.
Perform a visual inspection of leaf springs to identify broken leaves. Main leaves are critical and treated more seriously than other leaves.
Suspension components and attaching hardware must be inspected visually to recognize serious unsafe conditions such as parts shifting or contacting other components.
Suspension fasteners (nuts, bolts) and U-bolts must be inspected for tightness and presence. A gap or looseness indicates a defect.
Ministry enforcement staff and police perform inspections at truck inspection stations. When a station is open, trucks must enter and stop. Drivers must carry and surrender on demand required documents including licence, registration, CVOR certificate, insurance, daily inspection report and daily log.
Tires must have appropriate tread depth and wheels must be securely attached. The rear tire must have at least 1.5 mm (0.06 in) tread in two adjacent grooves. Front tires on vehicles over 4,500 kg must have at least 3 mm (0.12 in). Wheel fasteners should be rechecked between 80 km and 160 km after installation.
The driver is responsible for evenly balanced and properly secured cargo. All loads must be bound, covered or fastened so nothing can fall off. Loads overhanging the rear by 1.5 m (5 ft) or more require a red light (when lights are required) or a red flag/marker at other times. Ontario has adopted NSC Standard 10 for Cargo Securement.
A daily vehicle inspection (circle check/pre-trip) is required by the HTA. A driver may not drive unless a Schedule 1 inspection has been done within the previous 24 hours with a completed report. Defects are categorized as major or minor; drivers cannot drive with a major defect and must record and report minor defects.
Safety defects found during inspection or on the trip must be reported to the operator as soon as possible; major defects must be repaired before operating again. The most common reason vehicles are taken out of service is out-of-adjustment air brakes; other reasons include insecure loads, defective lights/tires and broken springs.
If a driver operates within a 160-km radius of the start location and returns to the same location at the end of the day, they may be exempt from carrying a daily log but remain subject to all hours-of-service requirements.
Free play or lash is the distance the steering wheel moves before tires begin turning. Check with the engine on and wheels straight ahead, turning the wheel with fingers until tire resistance is felt. Too much rotation indicates excessive free play.
The driver must re-inspect cargo and securement systems and adjust at intervals based on whichever occurs first: a change of duty status, driving three hours, or driving 240 km. Inspection is not required when cargo is sealed and the driver is ordered not to open it, or if the cargo is inaccessible.
Operators must have each vehicle and trailer inspected annually by a licensed mechanic in compliance with NSC Standard 11 Part B. A compliant vehicle receives an annual inspection certificate, record and decal placed on the outside lower left of the windshield or left side of the cab/trailer. Drivers must check the decal validity during daily inspection.
As part of the daily inspection, all items in the applicable schedule of O. Reg. 199/07 must be inspected, including air brake system (if equipped), cab, cargo securement, coupling devices, driver controls/seat, brakes, emergency equipment, exhaust, frame/body, fuel, glass/mirrors, heater/defroster, horn, lamps/reflectors, steering, suspension, tires, wheels and wiper/washer.
You must be aware of and allow for any off-track when making a left turn. Use your left outside mirror to monitor the trailer's path, otherwise the trailer might hit a vehicle or a sign post on an island. Turn in a wide arc before bringing the vehicle back to its proper position just right of the centre line, then move to the right lane when safe as speed increases.
Air-suspension systems use air bags that must be intact and inflated. Candidates must recognize the normal appearance of air bags, signs of damage, and when damage causes deflation. A noticeable air leak is a minor defect, while a damaged and deflated air bag is a major defect.
Visual inspection of leaf springs is important. Candidates must know which leaves are 'main' leaves. Defect severity depends on how many leaves are broken and whether a main leaf is involved.
Suspension-system components and attaching hardware must be inspected visually for serious unsafe conditions. Any missing, shifted, or contacting suspension part is a major defect.
Suspension fasteners and U-bolts hold the suspension to the vehicle and must remain tight. Loose, missing or broken fasteners are minor defects, but a loose U-bolt is a major defect.
When a number of trucks pull onto a highway after a stop, drivers should leave sufficient space. Commercial motor vehicles must maintain a minimum following distance at highway speeds.
Speed limiter requirements apply to vehicles manufactured in 1995 or newer with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating (MGVWR) of 11,794 kilograms (26,000 lbs.) or more, and only those with an electronically controlled engine.
Observe the laws governing motor vehicle operation scrupulously and follow good driving practice. Back a truck with utmost care using all rearview mirrors. Adjust driving procedures and speed for road, weather and traffic conditions.
Slowing down on hills is often unavoidable, but good drivers reduce delay by staying to the right and allowing following traffic to pass. Never use left-turn signals to tell following motorists it is safe to pass.
Keep tires properly inflated and check regularly for leaks. Kicking the tires or using a mallet to check for flats is acceptable. Distinguish between a leak you can only see versus one you can feel or hear.
You must know how to check tire-tread depth and the minimum allowable depths for various tire positions per vehicle safety regulations.
Distinguish between tread and sidewall damage. Tires are built with steel cords covered in rubber; exposed cords are a serious defect.
Tires should never contact other tires or vehicle components (except mud flaps). Tires are built with steel cords covered in rubber; exposed cords are a serious safety issue. Both are major defects.
Tires should never contact other vehicle components. A tire touching a mud flap is not a safety concern, but other contact is a major defect.
Candidates must distinguish tread from sidewall and recognize visual damage such as cuts. Any damage to the tread or sidewall area is a minor defect.
Before uncoupling or coupling, the driver must roll down windows, turn off audio systems, sound the horn before backing (electric horn only during the road test), and confirm the location is suitable and safe.
To uncouple: secure both units (apply parking brakes, transmission park/neutral, chock trailer wheels), lower landing gear to ground level without lifting the trailer, disconnect and stow air/electrical lines and safety chains, unlock the fifth wheel, disengage and confirm trailer stability, then pull the tractor clear slowly.
To couple: inspect fifth wheel/coupling devices and lines; position units checking alignment and height; back slowly at walking pace with fifth wheel just ahead/under but not against the kingpin; confirm kingpin alignment; engage fifth wheel; then verify locking. The trailer should be low enough to be raised slightly by the tractor.
After engaging, perform a tug test ('hitting the pin') by stretching the tractor and trailer to confirm the trailer is locked. Then exit and visually confirm no space above the fifth wheel, the release lever is in the locked position, and the jaws/locking latch have closed around the kingpin (getting under the trailer).
Connect air and electrical lines (blue = service, red = supply/emergency), connect breakaway device if equipped, raise landing gear fully and stow the handle, supply air to the trailer and establish normal pressure, check for leaks from the cab, then test brake operation while driving forward slowly.
Gross weight is the combined weight of vehicle and load. Registered gross weight is the weight for which an HTA permit has been issued. Manufacturers' gross vehicle weight rating (MGVWR) is the gross weight specified by the manufacturer, often on a decal or plate on the cab. A commercial motor vehicle has a permanently attached truck or delivery body.
A semi-trailer is designed so the forward part of its body or chassis rests upon the towing vehicle. A trailer is a vehicle drawn/propelled/moved by a motor vehicle and is considered a separate vehicle, not part of the towing vehicle. The trailer definition excludes farm implements, mobile homes and side cars.
Information and direction signs tell you about distances and destinations. They are usually rectangular with a green background and white letters. Other colours guide you to facilities, services and attractions.
Information and direction signs tell you about distances and destinations. They are usually rectangular with a green background and white letters. Other colours guide you to facilities, services and attractions.
Advance and exit signs help drivers choose the correct lane to exit or stay on the freeway; exit lane arrows appear in a yellow box with the word 'exit'. Interchange numbers equal the distance in km from the start of the freeway (e.g. interchange 204 on Hwy 401 is 204 km from Windsor). Distances are found by subtracting interchange numbers.
Advance signs use arrows (in yellow boxes marked 'exit') to show which lanes lead off the freeway. Interchange numbers correspond to the distance in kilometres from the freeway's beginning (e.g. interchange 204 on Hwy 401 is 204 km from Windsor). Distances between interchanges are found by subtracting the numbers. 'VIA' describes roads to follow to a destination.
'VIA' describes the roads to follow to reach a destination. Roundabout signs show upcoming exits and where they lead. Changeable message signs update drivers on delays and lane closures. Blue/other signs show off-road facilities like hospitals, airports, universities and carpool lots, and routes to rail stations, airports, ferries and wheelchair-accessible facilities.
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