Licence Classes

Ontario sorts driver's licences into 12 separate classes, with each class authorizing a particular kind of vehicle -- and the class you hold has to line up with whatever you're driving.

Cars, vans and small trucks call for a Class G licence, and a Class G is the foundation you need before qualifying for any other vehicle type. Motorcycles are the single exception: a Class M motorcycle licence can be earned on its own, with no Class G required first.

To operate any vehicle fitted with air brakes, your licence needs a "Z" air brake endorsement.

Drivers holding class E, F or G licences can add an RV endorsement (the "T" endorsement), which clears them to drive a recreational vehicle of up to 14,000 kilograms.

Covers any tractor-trailer combination.

Also permits Class D and G vehicles.

Covers any school purposes bus.

Also permits Class C, D, E, F and G vehicles.

Covers any regular bus.

Also permits Class D, F and G vehicles.

Covers a motor vehicle whose gross or registered gross weight tops 11,000 kilograms, plus any truck or combination as long as what it tows stays at or under 4,600 kilograms.

Also permits Class G vehicles.

Class D with RV restriction ("Q"): lets you drive a recreational vehicle no matter its weight, though not the other vehicles in Class D. Class G driving is included as well.

Covers a school purposes bus rated for no more than 24 passengers.

Also permits Class F and G vehicles.

Covers a regular bus rated for no more than 24 passengers, as well as ambulances.

Also permits Class G vehicles.

Covers any car, van or small truck, or a vehicle-plus-trailer combination of up to 11,000 kilograms, so long as the towed portion stays at 4,600 kilograms or less.

There's a specific case worth noting: a pickup truck hauling a house trailer heavier than 4,600 kilograms still counts as a Class G vehicle, provided the truck and trailer together don't push past 11,000 kilograms.

This is the class most new drivers are aiming for.

Class G1 -- the Level One stage of graduated licensing. A G1 holder may drive Class G vehicles as long as a fully licensed driver with four or more years of experience comes along, and certain other conditions apply (see Lesson 1.3).

Class G2 -- the Level Two stage of graduated licensing. A G2 holder may drive Class G vehicles on their own, though certain conditions still apply (see Lesson 1.3).

Covers any motorcycle, and that includes motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles (motor scooters) and motor-assisted bicycles (mopeds).

A Class M holder may additionally drive a Class G vehicle, subject to the same conditions that bind a Class G1 holder.

Class M1 -- the Level One motorcycle stage of graduated licensing. Holders may ride a motorcycle under certain conditions.

Class M2 -- the Level Two motorcycle stage of graduated licensing. A holder may ride a motorcycle provided their blood alcohol level is zero, and may operate a Class G vehicle under the same conditions a G1 holder faces.

Class M with L condition -- limited to operating a limited-speed motorcycle or moped.

Class M2 with L condition -- limited to operating a limited-speed motorcycle or moped.

Class M with M condition -- limited to operating a motor tricycle.

Class M2 with M condition -- limited to operating a motor tricycle.

Recreational vehicles in the band above 11,000 kg but under 14,000 kg call for a Class G, E or F licence carrying an RV endorsement. Once an RV reaches any weight at all -- anything over 14,000 kg included -- the requirement becomes a licence of Class A, B, C or D, or alternatively a Class D licence with the RV restriction.

Bicycles: riding a bicycle in Ontario takes no licence at all. That said, the Highway Traffic Act treats bicycles as vehicles, so cyclists carry rights and duties much like those of other drivers.