Ontario Opens a 10-Year Pilot for Automated Trucks
From August 2025, approved carriers could test Level 3 to 5 automated heavy trucks in Ontario under strict insurance, reporting and signage rules.
In August 2025, Ontario opened a ten-year pilot program that lets approved carriers test automated heavy trucks on the province's roads. According to the province's program page, first published on August 5, 2025, the Automated Commercial Motor Vehicle (ACMV) pilot runs from August 1, 2025 to August 1, 2035.
What can be tested
The pilot covers specific truck configurations weighing more than 4,500 kg that are equipped with automated driving systems meeting the SAE International standard for Level 3, 4 or 5 automation. Ontario said the goal was to evaluate how these vehicles perform and to assess opportunities to improve road safety and support the trucking sector.
The province said taking part in the pilot was the only way to operate ACMVs on Ontario roads.
Two streams
- Driver-supervised stream. A driver must sit in the driver's seat, ready to take control when needed.
- Driverless stream. No one sits in the driver's seat. An assistant, either in the vehicle or somewhere else in Ontario, must be ready to oversee the truck.
Which carriers qualify
A carrier must meet one of three tests:
- at least two years of experience with a "Satisfactory-unaudited" safety rating, plus a partnership with a carrier that has at least five years of experience and a similar rating;
- at least three years of experience with an "Excellent-audited" rating;
- at least five years of experience with a "Satisfactory-unaudited" rating.
How to get in
Applicants submit an application package to the Ministry of Transportation. If it is accepted, the ministry works with the carrier to build a testing approach with performance milestones suited to its technology and use case. Once that is approved, the carrier receives a signed approval package, and a copy must be kept in every participating vehicle.
Conditions on the road
The program conditions include:
- following all Highway Traffic Act rules for commercial motor vehicles;
- carrying at least $10 million in public liability insurance;
- emailing the ministry within 24 hours of any safety incident or collision;
- getting advance approval for testing times, routes and locations;
- informing the municipality or local road authority before testing on municipal roads;
- displaying "TEST VEHICLE – STAY BACK" signs on the front and rear of every test truck.
In the driverless stream, trucks must also show signage or a sticker on the driver's side door telling first responders how to reach the remote assistant, including a phone number.
Reporting
Participants must file reporting forms, and the ministry may ask for more information. Ontario said it would use the data to compare the safety, efficiency and reliability of automated trucks with conventional ones, and to adjust the pilot's requirements over time.
Archive: this article describes rules and events as of August 2025. Regulations may have changed since, so check the current rule before relying on it.