Air Brakes Ontario 2026: Z Endorsement Tests and Renewal

How do you get a Z endorsement for air brakes in Ontario?

An air brake endorsement course from a vehicle fleet owner, a community college or a safety organization. With a B, C, D, E, F or G licence you take it with a fleet owner; upgrading a Class A (Z) licence, you can use any of the three.
The knowledge test at a DriveTest centre, then a practical test you book afterwards.

After a course you get a referral envelope. Take it to a DriveTest centre within 6 months to get the endorsement.

The Ontario air brake knowledge test and practical test

You take the knowledge test at a DriveTest centre, then book the practical test with your licence number and three choices of location. Cancel at least 48 hours ahead to avoid a cancellation fee. DriveTest lists the fees for both tests; ontario.ca doesn’t give the number of questions.

The practical test has two versions. Version 1 is for a vehicle with a tractor-trailer air brake system, and Version 2 for any other air brake system. Every driver demonstrates a way to measure applied pushrod stroke as part of it.

DriveTest: Fees ↗

What to bring to the practical test

Ontario’s list for the practical test:

Wheel chocks or blocks
A stopwatch or a watch with a second hand
The size and type of every brake chamber on your vehicle
A way to hold the brake pedal down
A way to mark the pushrod and a device to measure pushrod stroke (not for motor coaches)
Protective eyewear (not for motor coaches)
A chart of brake adjustment limits, if you want one

The checks on the practical test →Brake adjustment limits chart →

Renewing your Z endorsement

Since September 1, 2023, the knowledge test is no longer part of renewal. Before you go to renew, complete the online learning module: Air Brakes Refresher Training for Class A or D Licence Holders. You need your driver’s licence to start it.
Download or print the Certificate of Completion.
Take it and your licence to a DriveTest centre or your Driver Certification Program organization. Commercial class licence holders (A, B, C, D, E or F) also do the vision test and commercial knowledge test there.

From age 80 you take the module and the practical test every year. MTO says renewal is usually every 5 years for people under 80. If you can’t do the module online, you can do it in person at a DriveTest centre.

MTO: Air Brakes Refresher Training ↗

Studying for the Ontario air brake test

The Official Air Brake Handbook is the book to study, and you can read it online or buy a hard copy at a DriveTest centre. Its last chapter has the checklists and circuit diagrams for the practical examination. For practice questions, see the manuals page.

Air brake manuals and practice questions →

Class A (AZ) licences

Class A rules, including which Class A licence covers full air brakes on a trailer, mandatory entry-level training (MELT) and the new road test rule from January 1, 2027, are on the licence classes page.

Class A, Class 1 and entry-level training →

Sources: Ontario Ministry of Transportation · Ontario Official Air Brake Handbook and 3 more. Checked October 2026.