Ontario, Canada, Class A License for trailers over 4600 kg

[Arthur A]

In order to pull a trailer over 4600 kg (10,000 lbs)in Ontario a class A license is required. This is the same license needed by commercial truck drivers and qualifies the holder to pretty much drive any commercial tractor trailer.

Persons pulling a fifth wheel, or other trailer, need to learn all the rules pertaining to commercial truck drivers, pass the same medical requirements as a commercial truck driver, and take a road test as if they were seeking to be a commercial truck driver.

I am currently the holder of a class A license but feel that the Ministry of Transportation is not treating the RV community is a fair fashion, and is practicing systemic discrimination against a group of persons pulling trailers for recreational purposes.

If you share my concern, or have had problems, relating to the acquisition of a class A license I would like to hear from you. Either on this forum or via e-mail.

If I have posted this on the wrong forum please tell me where it should be posted.

Thank you.

Arthur

[Arthur A]

In order to pull a trailer over 4600 kg (10,000 lbs)in Ontario a class A license is required. This is the same license needed by commercial truck drivers and qualifies the holder to pretty much drive any commercial tractor trailer.

Persons pulling a fifth wheel, or other trailer, need to learn all the rules pertaining to commercial truck drivers, pass the same medical requirements as a commercial truck driver, and take a road test as if they were seeking to be a commercial truck driver.

I am currently the holder of a class A license but feel that the Ministry of Transportation is not treating the RV community is a fair fashion, and is practicing systemic discrimination against a group of persons pulling trailers for recreational purposes.

If you share my concern, or have had problems, relating to the acquisition of a class A license I would like to hear from you. Either on this forum or via e-mail.

If I have posted this on the wrong forum please tell me where it should be posted.

Thank you.

Arthur

[DCudmore]

Sorry but I have to agree that there are a lot of people out there pulling 5ths or other large trailer that do not have a clue how to drive with a tow.
I spent 32 years working on roads, 22 of them on the Alaska Highway circuit and I have seen some pretty back driving when it comes to people towing cars, tailers, or 5ths.
With the major logging damage done in the bush obver the last few years by the beetles there will be double the number of large trucks on the road to contend with, a lot of these drivers are also new and do not have mush experience driving..So when you mix the two it is plain to see that there will be more and more problems on the roads. When you have both parties educated and trianed to drive accordingly to road conditions and traffic you get fewer problems..
There are a lot of tourist who cannot backup with there trailers be it a trailer or a 5th.To vbackup with a toad is pretty well unheard of. There is also the proble of tracking which a lot do not understand , they have no idea where the tailend of thier trailers are or where the tires are for that matter..rbbing curbs, over sidewalks or through ditches..They do need to be educated..But, on the other hand why not come up with a license just for this type of highway use.Stricly for towing trailers, 5ths, toads etc for plessure use only.With the Class A most people will require a med every year if you have any form of medical problems that MIGHT affect your ability to drive. Such as Diabetes...That should stir the pot up I am sure..

[Canuck]

In Manitoba we need a Class 3 license. It's not quite the same as your Class A, which in Manitoba is Class 1. The requirements for Class 3 include a written test, medical, pre-trip safety inspection and a road test, which does not include any backing or parking.
I upgraded my license to Class 3 when we owned our fifth wheel and in my opinion it was one of the best things that I've done in years! It made me a much better driver and gave me an appreciation for the folks driving the big highway tractors.
So many of the drivers I encounter in MB are what I would consider to be poor drivers and if they are going to be piloting a 20,000+ lb rig I'm glad that they MUST upgrade their license.
When was the last time you saw someone use their turn signal? Enough said.
Canuck