Canada · Air brake testOfficial manuals, course lists and modules
| Option | Price | Free to use | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official manuals | |||
Ontario Ministry of Transportation: The Official Air Brake HandbookOntario’s air brake handbook, 12 chapters onlineEnds with the practical examination checklists, adjustment limits chart and circuit diagrams. Updated February 24, 2026. | Online version: no price shown; hard copy sold | Read online at ontario.ca | |
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia: Driving Commercial VehiclesBritish Columbia’s commercial driving guide; chapters 1, 2 and 8 to 10 for the air brake endorsementICBC’s study chart lists chapters 1, 2, 8, 9 and 10 for the single-unit air brake endorsement. Most chapters end with review questions. | No price shown for the PDF | Not stated | |
Nova Scotia Registry of Motor Vehicles: Air Brake ManualNova Scotia’s air brake manualLinked from Nova Scotia’s knowledge test page. Each section ends with summary questions. | No price shown for the PDF | Not stated | |
Manitoba Public Insurance: Air Brake ManualManitoba’s air brake manualManitoba Public Insurance bases its air brake knowledge test on it. | No price shown for the PDF | Not stated | |
Saskatchewan Government Insurance: Air Brake Manual 2025-26Saskatchewan’s air brake manualSaskatchewan Government Insurance’s manual, with the A endorsement requirements in chapter 1. | No price shown for the PDF | Not stated | |
New Brunswick: Air Brake ManualNew Brunswick’s air brake manual (May 2023)Study questions end each section, and a fold-out diagram shows a complete dual air brake system. | No price shown for the PDF | Not stated | |
Alberta: Air Brake Manual, A Guide for StudentsAlberta’s student manual, March 2023, 114 pagesAlberta’s knowledge test is written from it. | $10 from Alberta King’s Printer | A copy comes with the Air Brake Program course | |
| Courses and modules | |||
Alberta: licensed driver training schoolsOfficial list of schools, with Q for the Air Brake ProgramThe list gives each school’s address and the types of instruction it’s licensed for. | Schools set their own prices | Not applicable | |
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia: Find a driving schoolICBC’s page for choosing a B.C. driving schoolICBC’s page for finding a licensed school. The two kinds of B.C. air brake course are on the British Columbia page. | Schools set their own prices | Not applicable | |
Ontario Ministry of Transportation: Air Brakes Refresher TrainingOnline learning module for renewing an Ontario Z endorsementRequired before renewing a licence with a Z endorsement since September 1, 2023. You need your licence to start, and you get a Certificate of Completion. | Not stated | Not stated | |
Skills Pass NLOnline commercial driver training for Newfoundland and LabradorNot air brake specific. Covers hours of service, cargo securement, trip inspection and the rules of the road for new and experienced commercial drivers. | No cost | Available at no cost, says the province | |
Prices and ratings checked October 2026.
Finding an air brake course near you
Alberta publishes a list of every licensed school with its address, and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) links to its school finder. Ontario’s ministry names the three kinds of provider without a list.
Which air brake training do you need?
- Alberta: a course at a licensed driver training school, with a practical assessment, before the knowledge test.
- British Columbia: a certified or standard air brake course before the tests; drivers with a lot of air brake experience may be exempt.
- Ontario: a course from a fleet owner, community college or safety organization (with a B to G licence, only a fleet owner), or the tests at DriveTest instead.
- Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia: study the province’s manual and book its tests.
Air brake training online
The online options are for testing or renewing. Nova Scotia gives its knowledge test online, and Ontario drivers renewing a Z endorsement complete an online learning module first. Alberta’s required course includes hands-on practical training.
A study plan that matches the test
- Read your province’s manual from the start; the knowledge test is written from it.
- Answer the review questions at the end of each chapter where the manual has them.
- Learn the daily air brake check until you can do it in order on your own vehicle.
- Learn your brake chamber sizes and their adjustment limits before a practical test.
Air brake manuals by province →The air brake pre-trip inspection →Slack adjusters and adjustment limits →
Sources: Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors · Alberta.ca · ICBC and 4 more. Checked October 2026.
- Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors: Air Brake Program ↗
- Alberta.ca: Licensed driver training schools ↗
- ICBC: Commercial and air brake training ↗
- ICBC: Driving Commercial Vehicles guide (PDF) ↗
- Ontario Ministry of Transportation: Get a truck driver’s licence ↗
- Government of Nova Scotia: Take a driver knowledge test, air brake endorsement ↗
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: Commercial driver training ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.
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