Ontario Class C Driver's Licence (Commercial) cheat sheet

A Class C licence covers a bus with a designed seating capacity of 24 or more passengers, plus any trailer towed behind it; a Class B covers school-purpose buses of any size.

Speed limits unless posted otherwise: 50 km/h in cities, towns and villages; 80 km/h on highways outside built-up areas; 100 km/h on 400-series freeways.

Following distance for a bus: at least 2 seconds in ideal conditions, and add 1 second for each adverse factor (rain, darkness, heavy load, gravel surface).

Yellow (amber) light: stop unless stopping cannot be done safely; a vehicle is required to clear the intersection before red.

School bus red lights flashing: traffic in both directions must stop, except on a road divided by a median, where only traffic approaching from behind the bus must stop.

Demerit points: 7 for failing to remain or failing to stop for police, 6 for careless driving and racing, 3 for running a red light or stop sign, 2 for following too closely.

Blood alcohol limit: zero for drivers under 22 and for novice (G1/G2) drivers; 0.08 g/100 mL for fully licensed drivers, with 3-day, 7-day and 30-day roadside suspensions at 0.05-0.08.

Hands-free rule: no hand-held device use while driving; only hands-free functions and 911 calls are permitted, and display screens must be configured before driving.

Blind spots around a bus extend further than for a car; a driver must confirm clearance with mirrors and a shoulder check before every lane change.

Large-vehicle stopping distance at 100 km/h is roughly 100 m or more on dry pavement; perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance all add up.

Off-tracking: the rear wheels of a long bus cut inside the path of the front wheels on a turn, so swing wide before the corner and check the rear in the right mirror.

Space cushion rule: keep a 4-second following gap when a vehicle ahead is a heavy truck or when carrying standing passengers.

At uncontrolled intersections, the first vehicle to arrive proceeds first; if two arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.

Railway crossing: stop 5 m or more from the nearest rail when a signal or gate is active, and never shift gears while crossing the tracks.

Passing a stopped school bus on the left with red lights flashing is an offence carrying heavy fines and 6 demerit points, even if the bus is on the other side of a two-lane road.

Fatigue countermeasure: after 4 hours of continuous driving, a rest break of at least 15 minutes is needed; a driver must not drive when drowsy.

A daily trip inspection is required for a bus before its first trip each day, and the report must be completed and signed whether or not a defect is found.

Items to inspect: brakes, steering, lights and reflectors, tires and wheels, mirrors, horn, windshield and wipers, emergency exits, and the fire extinguisher.

A major defect (e.g., a brake failure, a broken spring, a loose wheel) means the vehicle must be taken out of service until repaired and the defect recorded.

A minor defect must be recorded and reported to the operator, and the vehicle may be used only if the defect does not affect safe operation.

The inspection report must be kept by the operator for at least 6 months and be available for inspection by a Ministry officer.

Before each trip, the driver must check that the emergency exit doors open freely and that the exit signs and instructions are visible.

A pre-trip air brake check includes: build-up to governor cut-out, a static leak test, and a low-pressure warning test.

Air brake system pressure must build from 85 psi to 100 psi within 45 seconds at fast idle; if not, the system has a defect.

Static leak test: with the engine off and the brakes applied, pressure loss must not exceed 3 psi in one minute for a single vehicle, or 4 psi for a combination.

Low-pressure warning must activate by 60 psi; the spring (emergency) brakes must apply automatically when pressure falls to between 20 and 45 psi.

Governor cut-out is typically 120-135 psi and cut-in about 100 psi; the system must not exceed the manufacturer's maximum.

The compressor must build pressure at a rate of at least 85 psi in 45 seconds; if slower, the compressor or governor is faulty.

Slack adjuster check: with the brakes applied, the push rod travel must not exceed the limit stamped on the chamber (typically 2 inches for a type 30 chamber).

A bus with air brakes must have a functioning alcohol evaporator or air dryer to prevent moisture freezing in the lines in winter.

Cargo securement standard: the aggregate working load limit of tiedowns must be at least 50% of the weight of the cargo.

A tiedown is required for every 3 m (10 ft) of cargo length, and at least 2 tiedowns for any load longer than 1.5 m but no more than 3 m.

Ontario legal gross vehicle weight limit is 63,500 kg on designated highways; single-axle limits are typically 9,000 kg and tandem 18,000 kg.

Hours of service: a driver may not drive after 13 hours of on-duty time in a day, and must take 8 consecutive hours off duty before the next day.

A driver must not drive after 14 hours of on-duty time in a day, and must have at least 10 hours off duty in the preceding 24 hours.

Daily log must be completed for each 24-hour period, showing on-duty, off-duty, driving and sleeper berth time, and kept for 6 months.

A bill of lading and, for dangerous goods, a shipping document with the UN number and class are required before the trip begins.

Cycle limits: a driver must not accumulate more than 70 hours of on-duty time in 7 consecutive days, or 120 hours in 14 days.

A driver must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving or on-duty time before continuing to drive.

A daily log must be produced in the prescribed form and signed by the driver; a carrier must retain it for at least 6 months.

Electronic logging devices may be used, but the driver must still be able to produce a paper log if the device fails.

When a driver operates under a permit for oversize or overweight loads, the permit must be carried in the vehicle and produced on demand.

A commercial vehicle operator's registration (CVOR) record and the annual inspection certificate must be kept in the vehicle or available on request.

Overweight permits are issued for a single trip or a period, and the permit must specify the route, axle weights and expiry date.

Axle weight limits must be checked against the bridge formula; a load that exceeds the posted limit is an offence even if a permit exists for another route.

The vehicle's registered gross weight must not be less than the actual gross weight; an overload is a violation of the Highway Traffic Act.

Documentation to carry: permit (if any), CVOR certificate, annual inspection, insurance card, and the daily inspection report.

Following a large truck: stay back far enough to see the truck's mirrors, and never pass on the right where the blind spot is largest.

Hydroplaning risk increases above 80 km/h on wet pavement; reduce speed and avoid sudden braking or steering inputs.

At night, use low beams when following within 60 m or when meeting oncoming traffic; high beams are for open highway only.

In fog, use low beams and reduce speed; high beams reflect off the fog and reduce visibility.

When a tire blows out, hold the steering wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator and avoid hard braking until the vehicle slows.

Emergency exit use: stop the bus, set the parking brake, shut off the engine, and direct passengers to the nearest usable exit.

Tire inspection: minimum tread depth is 1.5 mm for front tires and 1.5 mm for other tires on a bus; check for cuts, bulges and exposed cords.

Wheel and rim check: look for loose or missing lug nuts, cracks, rust streaks and oil leaks that indicate a bearing problem.

Brake adjustment: check that the slack adjuster moves freely and that the push rod travel is within the limit.

Lighting check: headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, clearance lights and the four-way flashers must all work.

Emergency equipment: fire extinguisher must be charged and mounted, and a first aid kit and warning triangles must be on board.

A driver must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk and must not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

When a transit bus is signalling to leave a stop, drivers approaching from behind must yield and allow it to re-enter the lane.

A right turn on a red light is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; a left turn on red is permitted only from a one-way to a one-way street.

Seat belt use is mandatory for the driver and all passengers; a bus driver is responsible for ensuring passengers are seated or secured where belts are provided.

A driver must report a collision involving injury or damage over $2,000 to the police and exchange information with the other driver.

The parking (spring) brake is applied by spring pressure and released by air pressure; a loss of air applies the brakes automatically.

The alcohol evaporator or air dryer must be drained daily in cold weather to prevent moisture from freezing in the lines.

A low-pressure warning buzzer and light must activate before the pressure drops below 60 psi.

The safety valve releases at about 150 psi to protect the system from over-pressurization.

Before driving, check that the air pressure builds to at least 100 psi and that the warning system works.

Cargo must be secured so it cannot shift, and the tiedowns must be attached to the vehicle's securement points, not to the cargo itself unless designed for that purpose.

The front of a load must be blocked or secured to prevent forward movement during braking.

Loose items inside a bus must be stored so they cannot become projectiles in a sudden stop.

A load that extends more than 1 m beyond the rear of the vehicle must be marked with a red flag or light.

The daily inspection report must be completed before the first trip and kept for 6 months.

The annual inspection certificate must be displayed in the vehicle and renewed every 12 months.

Insurance: the vehicle must carry at least $2,000,000 in liability coverage for a bus carrying passengers.

A CVOR certificate must be carried in the vehicle and produced on request by a Ministry officer.

A driver must not drive after 13 hours of on-duty time in a day, and must have 8 consecutive hours off duty.

A driver must not drive after 14 hours of on-duty time, and must have 10 hours off duty in the preceding 24 hours.

A 30-minute break is required after 8 hours of driving or on-duty time.

Cycle limits: 70 hours in 7 days or 120 hours in 14 days.

Daily logs must be kept for 6 months.

Use the 2-second rule in ideal conditions and add 1 second for each adverse factor.

Check mirrors every 5-8 seconds and before every lane change.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead to identify hazards early.

At a railway crossing, stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail and never shift gears while crossing.

When a tire blows, hold the wheel firmly and ease off the accelerator.

Check tires for tread depth, cuts, bulges and exposed cords.

Check wheels for loose lug nuts, cracks and oil leaks.

Check brakes for slack adjuster travel and push rod stroke.

Check all lights and the horn.

Check the fire extinguisher, first aid kit and warning triangles.

Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Yield to a transit bus signalling to leave a stop.

Right turn on red after a full stop unless prohibited; left turn on red only from one-way to one-way.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and passengers.

Report a collision with injury or damage over $2,000 to police.

The spring brake applies automatically when air pressure is lost.

Drain the air dryer daily in cold weather.

The low-pressure warning must activate before 60 psi.

The safety valve releases at about 150 psi.

Build pressure to at least 100 psi before driving.

The aggregate working load limit of tiedowns must be at least 50% of the cargo weight.

A tiedown is required for every 3 m of cargo length.

The front of a load must be blocked or secured against forward movement.

Loose items inside a bus must be stored so they cannot become projectiles.

A load extending more than 1 m beyond the rear must be marked with a red flag or light.

The daily inspection report must be completed before the first trip and kept for 6 months.

The annual inspection certificate must be displayed and renewed every 12 months.

Liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 is required for a passenger bus.

A CVOR certificate must be carried in the vehicle.

13-hour driving limit and 8 consecutive hours off duty.

14-hour on-duty limit and 10 hours off duty in the preceding 24 hours.

30-minute break after 8 hours.

70 hours in 7 days or 120 hours in 14 days.

Daily logs kept for 6 months.

2-second rule in ideal conditions, plus 1 second per adverse factor.

Check mirrors every 5-8 seconds.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead.

Stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail at a crossing.

Hold the wheel firmly during a tire blowout.

Check tire tread depth, cuts, bulges and exposed cords.

Check wheels for loose lug nuts, cracks and oil leaks.

Check brake slack adjuster travel and push rod stroke.

Check all lights and the horn.

Check the fire extinguisher, first aid kit and warning triangles.

Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Yield to a transit bus signalling to leave a stop.

Right turn on red after a full stop unless prohibited; left turn on red only from one-way to one-way.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and passengers.

Report a collision with injury or damage over $2,000 to police.

The spring brake applies automatically when air pressure is lost.

Drain the air dryer daily in cold weather.

The low-pressure warning must activate before 60 psi.

The safety valve releases at about 150 psi.

Build pressure to at least 100 psi before driving.

The aggregate working load limit of tiedowns must be at least 50% of the cargo weight.

A tiedown is required for every 3 m of cargo length.

The front of a load must be blocked or secured against forward movement.

Loose items inside a bus must be stored so they cannot become projectiles.

A load extending more than 1 m beyond the rear must be marked with a red flag or light.

The daily inspection report must be completed before the first trip and kept for 6 months.

The annual inspection certificate must be displayed and renewed every 12 months.

Liability insurance of at least $2,000,000 is required for a passenger bus.

A CVOR certificate must be carried in the vehicle.

13-hour driving limit and 8 consecutive hours off duty.

14-hour on-duty limit and 10 hours off duty in the preceding 24 hours.

30-minute break after 8 hours.

70 hours in 7 days or 120 hours in 14 days.

Daily logs kept for 6 months.

2-second rule in ideal conditions, plus 1 second per adverse factor.

Check mirrors every 5-8 seconds.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead.

Stop at least 5 m from the nearest rail at a crossing.

Hold the wheel firmly during a tire blowout.

Check tire tread depth, cuts, bulges and exposed cords.

Check wheels for loose lug nuts, cracks and oil leaks.

Check brake slack adjuster travel and push rod stroke.

Check all lights and the horn.

Check the fire extinguisher, first aid kit and warning triangles.

Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks.

Yield to a transit bus signalling to leave a stop.

Right turn on red after a full stop unless prohibited; left turn on red only from one-way to one-way.

Seat belts are mandatory for the driver and passengers.

Report a collision with injury or damage over $2,000 to police.

The spring brake applies automatically when air pressure is lost.

Drain the air dryer daily in cold weather.

The low-pressure warning must activate before 60 psi.

The safety valve releases at about 150 psi.

Build pressure to at least 100 psi before driving.