About the course
What this course covers.
Most collisions are not accidents in the true sense - they are the result of a human error made at the wrong moment. A large vehicle leaves less room for that error and does more damage when it happens. Defensive driving is the consistent, deliberate approach that reduces the chance of the error in the first place.
The course covers what sets a defensive driver apart and the major causes of traffic accidents, then works through the situations where collisions actually happen: speeding, right-of-way, turning, passing, following distance, and backing. It covers distracted and drowsy driving, the collision prevention formula, how to spot hazards early, and what to do if an incident occurs.
Carriers use Defensive Driving for Large Vehicles to train new drivers, to bring down a fleet's collision and violation rate, and to give a carrier safety review or an insurer a documented training record.
Pass mark 80%
Score the pass mark to earn the certificate.
Course outline
5 modules, start to finish
Each module ends with a short knowledge check before you move on.
The defensive driver
The characteristics that set a defensive driver apart, and the major causes of the traffic accidents this course is built to prevent.
Common collision causes
Speeding, right-of-way violations, turning, driving left of centre and passing, and following too closely - the situations where collisions actually happen.
Vehicle control manoeuvres
Maintaining control of a large vehicle as you drive, and safe backing procedures.
The human factors
Distracted and drowsy driving, and the actions a driver takes to stay in control of themselves behind the wheel.
Preventing collisions
The collision prevention formula, spotting hazards early, and the incident procedures and information a driver needs if a collision occurs.
Developed to meet Canadian and provincial standards
What every course includes
Printable and mailed certificates
Digital wallet and wall-sized certificates print the moment the course is passed.
Standards compliant
Built on Canadian federal and provincial legislation, safety standards, and industry best practice.
Self-paced
Unlimited access to the training material. Pause and resume the course any time.
Live student support
Real support is available seven days a week if a learner gets stuck.
Unlimited exam attempts
The exam can be retaken until the learner reaches a passing grade.
Record of training
Training records are stored securely for three years and pulled on demand from the account.
What learners say
Trusted by Canadian crews
We brought this in after a rough year for backing incidents. The backing and following-distance sections are exactly what our drivers needed.
Wade T.
Fleet Manager
It is required training for every new driver on our fleet now. The collision prevention formula gives them a system, not just a list of rules.
Carla R.
Safety Coordinator
Forty years driving and the drowsy-driving section still got me thinking. Worth the hour.
Stewart D.
Class 1 Driver
Who it is for
Built for the people running the work
- Drivers of trucks and other large commercial vehicles
- New commercial drivers building safe habits early
- Experienced drivers refreshing defensive driving technique
- Fleets working to bring down collision and violation rates
- Carriers who need a documented driver-training record
What you walk away with
Able to do the job, not just describe it
- Describe the characteristics of a defensive driver
- Recognise the major causes of traffic accidents
- Stay in control of a large vehicle, including safe backing
- Manage distraction and fatigue behind the wheel
- Apply the collision prevention formula and spot hazards early
Pricing
One seat or the whole crew, priced fairly.
A single seat is $65.99 CAD. Buying one at a time, code ONTRACK10 takes 10 percent off at checkout. Training more than two or three people is cheaper through a free On-Track Safety corporate account, which also tracks every certificate and renewal date for you. Move the slider to see the difference.
- Free corporate account, no setup fee
- 20 percent off every course for the first three months
- Automatic certificate and expiry tracking for your whole team
Team pricing
What it costs to train your crew
Individual purchases
One seat at a time, list price
$329.95
Individually with code ONTRACK10
10% off, applied at checkout
$296.96
Through a free corporate account
20% off every course, first three months
$263.96
A corporate account saves you
$65.99
on 5 seats of Defensive Driving - Large Vehicles
No setup fee. The account also tracks every certificate and expiry date for you.
Certificate and format
How the course runs
Your certificate
A mark of 80 percent earns the certificate, and the course can be taken up to three times to reach the pass mark. On completion the driver downloads and prints a certificate of completion, which does not expire.
- Fully online and self-paced - about 60 minutes of content
- Mobile-friendly - start on a laptop, finish on a phone
- Instant access as soon as the course is purchased
- Built specifically for drivers of large and commercial vehicles
- Pass mark is 80 percent, with up to three attempts
Why it matters for compliance
A consistent defensive driving approach reduces the collisions and violations that drive up a carrier's safety record and insurance costs. This course gives a fleet a documented training record to show a carrier safety review or an insurer that drivers have been trained.
Common questions
Questions buyers ask
How much does the Defensive Driving for Large Vehicles course cost?
- The course is 65.99 CAD per seat. Use code ONTRACK10 at checkout for 10 percent off an individual purchase, or set up a free On-Track Safety corporate account for 20 percent off every course for the first three months when training a fleet.
How long does the course take?
- The course is about 60 minutes of content and is fully self-paced, so a driver can complete it in one sitting without losing their place.
Does the certificate expire?
- No. The certificate of completion does not expire, though many carriers schedule a defensive driving refresher periodically as part of their safety program.
Is this course for large vehicles specifically?
- Yes. This course is built around the techniques drivers of trucks and other large vehicles need, including backing and following distance for a heavy vehicle. On-Track Safety also offers a general Defensive Driving course for other vehicle types.
Will this course help our carrier safety rating?
- Defensive driving training is one of the practical ways a fleet reduces collisions and violations. The documented certificate gives a carrier safety review or an insurer evidence that drivers have been trained, as one part of a broader safety program.
Get your team trained, on the record.
Enrol one person now, or set up a free corporate account and train the whole crew at 20 percent off with every certificate tracked for you.