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Ontario Z Air Brake Endorsement Practice Test 2026

The Z endorsement lets you drive vehicles with air brakes in Ontario. You take an approved course, then pass a knowledge test and a practical test at DriveTest. These original questions follow the Official Air Brake Handbook.

  • Commercial vehicle
  • Ontario
  • 70 questions
  • Checked October 10, 2026

Quick answer

It is run by Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO); tests at DriveTest centres. Practise here for free with 70 questions, each with the answer and an explanation. Checked against official sources on October 10, 2026.

Read before you practiseStart with the Ontario Z Air Brake Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    In Ontario, which vehicles need a Z endorsement on your licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Vehicles with air brakes or air-over-hydraulic brakes

    You need a Z endorsement to drive any vehicle with air brakes or air-over-hydraulic brakes.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    What is the first step to get a Z endorsement in Ontario?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Take an air brake endorsement course from an approved provider

    You first take an air brake course from a fleet owner, community college or safety organization.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    After your air brake course, you receive a referral envelope. Within how long must you take it to a DriveTest centre?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 6 months

    Take the referral envelope to a DriveTest centre within 6 months.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    You hold a Class D licence and want a Z endorsement. Who must give your air brake course?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A vehicle fleet owner

    Holders of B, C, D, E, F or G licences must take the course through a fleet owner. Class A holders upgrading may use any of the three provider types.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    Which tests must you pass at DriveTest to get the Z endorsement?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An air brake knowledge test and a practical test

    You pass the air brake knowledge test and then book and pass the practical test.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    What is the difference between version 1 and version 2 of the air brake practical test?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Version 1 is for tractor-trailer air systems; version 2 is for other vehicles

    Version 1 covers vehicles with a tractor-trailer air brake system; version 2 covers vehicles without that system.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    Which item must you bring to the air brake practical test?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Wheel chocks and a watch or stopwatch with a second hand

    Bring wheel chocks, a timing device, a way to hold the brake pedal down and tools to mark and measure push rod stroke.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    In the air brake practical exam, which brake adjustment method must you demonstrate?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The applied push rod stroke measurement method

    Candidates must show the applied method of measuring push rod stroke.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    Since September 1, 2023, what do Class A or D drivers with a Z endorsement complete before renewing their licence?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. An online Air Brakes Refresher Training module

    The online refresher module replaced the air brake knowledge test at renewal.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    What must Z-endorsed drivers aged 80 or older do every year?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Complete the online module and an air brake practical test

    At 80 and older, you must complete the online module and practical test every year.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    What is the typical normal operating range of an air brake system?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 690 to 828 kPa (100 to 120 psi)

    Most systems run between 690 and 828 kPa (100 to 120 psi).

  12. Question 12 of 25

    What does the governor do?
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    Show answer

    Answer: C. It controls when the compressor cuts in and cuts out

    The governor tells the compressor when to start (cut in) and stop (cut out) pumping air into the system.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    According to the Ontario handbook, what is the highest allowed governor cut-out pressure?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 1000 kPa (145 psi)

    The cut-out pressure must not be above 1000 kPa (145 psi).

  14. Question 14 of 25

    What is the lowest allowed governor cut-in pressure?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 552 kPa (80 psi)

    The cut-in pressure must not be below 552 kPa (80 psi).

  15. Question 15 of 25

    What is the usual difference between the governor's cut-out and cut-in pressures?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 138 to 173 kPa (20 to 25 psi)

    The cut-in pressure is usually 138 to 173 kPa (20 to 25 psi) below the cut-out pressure.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    At about what pressure does the supply tank safety valve normally open?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 1035 kPa (150 psi)

    The safety valve protects the system from too much pressure. It normally opens at 1035 kPa (150 psi).

  17. Question 17 of 25

    The low air pressure warning must come on before pressure drops below what level?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 380 kPa (55 psi)

    The warning is defective if it does not activate or if it activates below 380 kPa (55 psi). Most activate at 414 kPa (60 psi) or higher.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    About how much air pressure is needed to fully release (hold off) spring brakes?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 414 kPa (60 psi)

    Spring brakes need about 414 kPa (60 psi) to be fully released. Below that, the springs start to apply the brakes.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    As air pressure drops, in what range does the trailer supply valve close by itself?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 138 to 311 kPa (20 to 45 psi)

    The trailer supply valve pops out automatically between 138 and 311 kPa (20 and 45 psi).

  20. Question 20 of 25

    The low air warning comes on while you are driving. What should you do?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Stop safely as soon as possible and find the cause

    Low pressure means you are losing braking power and spring brakes may soon apply. Stop safely and find the problem.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    What is a wig wag?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A warning arm that drops into view when air pressure is low

    A wig wag drops into the driver's view when system pressure falls too low.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    Before testing the low air warning, the system should have at least what pressure?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 621 kPa (90 psi)

    Build pressure to at least 621 kPa (90 psi), turn the ignition on, then press and release the brake pedal until the warning comes on.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    During the build-up test, how long may it take for pressure to rise from 587 to 690 kPa (85 to 100 psi) at 600 to 900 rpm?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No more than 2 minutes

    If build-up from 587 to 690 kPa takes more than two minutes, the system is defective.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    How long do you watch the gauge during the air-loss rate test?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 1 minute

    The air-loss test measures the pressure drop over one minute.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    In the air-loss test, what is the most pressure a straight truck, tractor or bus may lose in one minute?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 21 kPa (3 psi)

    A single vehicle may lose no more than 21 kPa (3 psi) per minute.

What to know before the test

  • You need a Z endorsement to drive any vehicle with air brakes or air-over-hydraulic brakes.
  • First take an air brake course from a fleet owner, community college or safety organization, then take the referral envelope to DriveTest within 6 months.
  • You must pass an air brake knowledge test and a practical test. The practical test has two versions, for vehicles with and without a tractor-trailer air brake system.
  • The low air warning must not come on below 380 kPa (55 psi), and the governor cut-out must not be above 1000 kPa (145 psi).
  • A single vehicle may lose no more than 21 kPa (3 psi) a minute in the air-loss test; a tractor and trailer no more than 28 kPa (4 psi).
  • Since September 1, 2023, an online Air Brakes Refresher module replaces the knowledge test when you renew.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a Z endorsement in Ontario?

Complete an approved air brake course, take the referral envelope to DriveTest within 6 months, pass the air brake knowledge test, then book and pass the practical test.

What should I bring to the air brake practical test?

Wheel chocks, a watch or stopwatch, a way to hold the brake pedal down, and tools to mark and measure push rod stroke. Know your brake chamber sizes and types.

How many questions are on the Z knowledge test?

The ministry pages do not publish a question count. Our mock exam uses 30 questions with an 80% target as practice.

Do I retake the air brake test when I renew?

Since September 1, 2023, you complete an online Air Brakes Refresher module instead. Drivers aged 80 and older also take a practical test every year.

Sources

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