Ontario is making it easier for Canadian military personnel and veterans to exchange their military driver’s licence for a number of Ontario driver’s licences, including licences for commercial vehicles.
Starting July 1, Department of National Defence (DND) 404 military driver’s permits will become recognized equivalents for a number of Ontario commercial and passenger licences, Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca announced.
“The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has always had a strong relationship with the Canadian military. Today’s announcement by Ontario’s Minister of Transportation Steven Del Duca represents an innovative way to integrate military personal into the trucking industry as they transition into civilian life,” OTA president David Bradley said in a press release.
The change comes after the province completed an extensive review of DND licencing standards, which showed that military training and testing requirements meet or exceed Ontario’s licence testing standards.
Allowing military personnel and veterans to use their DND 404 permits will reduce time associated with obtaining commercial licences required for employment in sectors such as the trades. The province will waive knowledge and road tests for those with a DND 404 driver’s permit, but will still require applicants to complete a vision test, meet medical standards, satisfy identification requirements and pay a fee.
Manitoba and Quebec already recognize the DND 404 permit for licence equivalency.