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.

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The ministry pages do not publish a question count.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.

Ontario Z Air Brake Endorsement Practice Test 2026

Q: 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.

Pytanie 1 z 25

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

Only tractor-trailers with a trailer over 4,600 kg
Vehicles with air brakes or air-over-hydraulic brakes
Only school buses and other passenger vehicles
Any vehicle with anti-lock brakes, of any type

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 2 z 25

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

Take an air brake endorsement course from an approved provider
Pass a medical exam at a hospital or clinic
Drive a vehicle with air brakes for six months
Book a road test in a tractor-trailer at DriveTest

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 3 z 25

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

1 year
6 months
30 days
2 years

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: B. 6 months

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

Pytanie 4 z 25

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

A private instructor with no approval
Any online provider
A community college only
A vehicle fleet owner

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 5 z 25

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

Only a road test in traffic with air brakes
Only a vision test and a medical review
A medical exam and a hearing test
An air brake knowledge test and a practical test

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 6 z 25

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

Version 2 is only for people who failed version 1 before
Version 1 is for buses and version 2 is for straight trucks only
Version 1 is given in English and version 2 is given in French
Version 1 is for tractor-trailer air systems; version 2 is for other vehicles

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 7 z 25

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

Wheel chocks and a watch or stopwatch with a second hand
A tire iron and a jack for the steering axle
A spare brake chamber and a set of wrenches
A second licensed driver to hold the steering wheel

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 8 z 25

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

Adjusting the slack adjusters yourself
The applied push rod stroke measurement method
Kicking the tires
Listening to the brakes while driving

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: B. The applied push rod stroke measurement method

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

Pytanie 9 z 25

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

An air brake knowledge test at a DriveTest centre
A full road test in an air-brake vehicle
A new full air brake course with a fleet owner
An online Air Brakes Refresher Training module

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: D. An online Air Brakes Refresher Training module

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

Pytanie 10 z 25

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

Take a full road test only, with no air brake check
Retake the full air brake course with a fleet owner
Nothing extra; renewal is every 5 years as usual
Complete the online module and an air brake practical test

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 11 z 25

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

380 to 414 kPa (55 to 60 psi)
690 to 828 kPa (100 to 120 psi)
1035 to 1200 kPa (150 to 175 psi)
138 to 311 kPa (20 to 45 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

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

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

Pytanie 12 z 25

What does the governor do?

It removes water and oil from the air
It measures push rod stroke at each wheel
It controls when the compressor cuts in and cuts out
It stops the truck if you go over the speed limit

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 13 z 25

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

1200 kPa (175 psi)
828 kPa (120 psi)
1000 kPa (145 psi)
1035 kPa (150 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: C. 1000 kPa (145 psi)

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

Pytanie 14 z 25

What is the lowest allowed governor cut-in pressure?

414 kPa (60 psi)
690 kPa (100 psi)
380 kPa (55 psi)
552 kPa (80 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: D. 552 kPa (80 psi)

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

Pytanie 15 z 25

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

345 to 414 kPa (50 to 60 psi)
138 to 173 kPa (20 to 25 psi)
690 kPa (100 psi)
7 to 14 kPa (1 to 2 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 16 z 25

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

690 kPa (100 psi)
552 kPa (80 psi)
1380 kPa (200 psi)
1035 kPa (150 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: D. 1035 kPa (150 psi)

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

Pytanie 17 z 25

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

690 kPa (100 psi)
380 kPa (55 psi)
138 kPa (20 psi)
552 kPa (80 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 18 z 25

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

69 kPa (10 psi)
207 kPa (30 psi)
1000 kPa (145 psi)
414 kPa (60 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 19 z 25

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

0 to 69 kPa (0 to 10 psi)
552 to 690 kPa (80 to 100 psi)
138 to 311 kPa (20 to 45 psi)
690 to 828 kPa (100 to 120 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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).

Pytanie 20 z 25

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

Stop safely as soon as possible and find the cause
Close the trailer supply valve and speed up
Keep driving to the next terminal
Pump the brake pedal to build pressure

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 21 z 25

What is a wig wag?

A gauge that measures push rod stroke at each wheel
A warning arm that drops into view when air pressure is low
A valve under each air tank that drains water and oil
A type of automatic slack adjuster used on trailers

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 22 z 25

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

1000 kPa (145 psi)
207 kPa (30 psi)
621 kPa (90 psi)
414 kPa (60 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: 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.

Pytanie 23 z 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?

No more than 10 seconds
No more than 2 minutes
No more than 5 minutes
No more than 10 minutes

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: B. No more than 2 minutes

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

Pytanie 24 z 25

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

5 minutes
15 minutes
1 minute
10 seconds

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: C. 1 minute

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

Pytanie 25 z 25

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

21 kPa (3 psi)
69 kPa (10 psi)
41 kPa (6 psi)
7 kPa (1 psi)

Pokaż odpowiedź

Odpowiedź: A. 21 kPa (3 psi)

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

Ontario Z Air Brake Endorsement Practice Test 2026

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