Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Northern Academy meet your standards?

Your Guide to Choosing A Truck Training School

There are many Truck Driver Training Institutions in operation today. Before committing to one school, we recommend you visit other schools in your area before choosing one to attend. When gathering information from various schools on Truck Driver Training, you should ask each individual institution the following questions:

Why 6 weeks when other schools only provide 5 week courses?

Surveys of employers have shown Northern Academy that a 5 week course if not enough. We have determined that a 6 week course is absolutely necessary to ensure that drivers are thoroughly trained to be safe on the road. Any less than 6 weeks results in drivers with less than satisfactory habits and generally poor backing skills. It is in Northern Academy's best interests and the interests of the general public using our highways to ensure that our students receive maximum in-cab time. Our students actually spend 45 - 50 total hours behind the wheel, not including pre-trip and post-trip inspection and not including backing time (calculated from On-Duty driving in the Logbooks completed daily).

Is it more expensive with a 6 week training course?

No. Our goal is to help people become qualified drivers at a fair price. Our price for a 6 week course is typically less expensive than a 5 week course with a competitor. We do this because we want you to becomes a driver - plain and simple.

Are you certified by the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario?

Yes, Northern Academy has been a member in good standing of TTSAO since 2002.

Are you registered and bonded by the Ministry of Education? (If not, tuition is not tax deductible)

Yes, we are a Registered Private Career College. Our Certificate Number is 12356. We do have authorization to issue T2202A receipts for students to claim the tuition.

Does the school have a written and oral interview acceptance program ?

Yes, at the Northern Academy, we request each applicant attend a non-obligatory pre-enrollment interview. An opportunity to meet our staff and instructors, check out the equipment, and tour our modern training facility is included.

Does the school have a third party auditor of their facility?

Yes, as an accredited TTSAO member and a Registered Private Vocational School, the Northern Academy is subject to audits by a representative from TTSAO as well as a representative from the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities.

Can the school provide verifiable placement statistics?

Yes, we encourage our graduates to stay in touch after graduation, to allow us to update our statistics regularly.

Does the school keep report sheets on each student which are signed by both the student and the instructor? (Ask to see these forms!)

Yes, each student will complete a daily record, as well receive a weekly evaluation from the Instructor.

Is the school willing to be inspected by a funding agency?

Absolutely, our "office hours" are from 8am - 430pm; Monday - Friday

What is the classroom ratio of students to instructors?

During the theory training you can expect to join the students in our fully equipped classroom. We can accommodate up to 15 people comfortably. During your practical training, you can expect a Student:Instructor ratio of 3:1

What is the average number of students per class?

We accept 6 students per training period, during peak training periods, we can accommodate 9 students per training period.

How many hours of theory are given?

You will receive approximately 71 hours of classroom training.

Is all training done on both tandem tractors and trailers?

Our students will have the advantage of training with Tandem Tractors, and coupling / uncoupling to a wide variety trailers of different axle configurations, such as: tandem, 3-axle, 4-axle vans and flat bed trailers including air and spring ride.

Does the school train on loaded equipment? If Yes, how much weight?

Yes, at the Northern Academy, you will have the opportunity to pull 'real' loads such as: LTL, paper, lumber, steel coils, nickle or zinc with weight up to 80,000 lbs or more.

Is the student trained on more than one gear pattern?

Yes, the Northern Academy has in it's fleet 2 custom built tandem axle tractors; equipped with a 13-speed, and a 15-speed transmission.

How many hours of on-the-road driving is given to each student?

Each driver should receive approximately, 45-50 hours of Behind the Wheel driving. This is achieved with a combination of highway and city driving,with the advantage of full dayshift and nightshift experience.

Does the school provide training during the night?

Yes, each student will have the advantage of daytime and nighttime driving, again a combination of highway and city driving experience.