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Ontario Class A (AZ) overview

Ontario Class A (AZ): Off-tracking, turns and backing

How a semi-trailer off-tracks on curves and right and left turns, roundabouts, clearances, straight backing, the driver's-side alley dock and offset backing.

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Off-tracking, turns and backing · Question 1Score 0/0

In a turn, how do the trailer's rear wheels track compared with the tractor's front wheels?

Study reference: MTO Truck Handbook (online edition, 2026), Ch. 2 Driving — classes A and D — Turns and steering, backing

All 20 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. In a turn, how do the trailer's rear wheels track compared with the tractor's front wheels?

    1. They swing outside the front wheels
    2. They cut inside the front wheels' path
    3. They follow exactly the same path
    4. They track behind the steering axle only

  2. In a tractor-semitrailer, where is off-tracking the greatest?

    1. At the tractor's drive wheels
    2. At the tractor's front wheels
    3. At the semi-trailer's rear wheels
    4. At the landing gear

  3. At what point in a right turn is your view in the right mirror most limited?

    1. When you first signal the turn
    2. When you cross the stop line
    3. At the tractor's sharpest angle
    4. When you are fully straightened out

  4. What increases the amount of off-track?

    1. A heavier load
    2. Wider tires
    3. Higher air pressure
    4. A longer wheelbase

  5. When turning right with a tractor-trailer, which road should provide most of the extra space?

    1. The road you are entering
    2. The sidewalk on the corner
    3. The road you are leaving
    4. The oncoming left-turn lane

  6. During a left turn, which mirror should you use to watch the trailer's path?

    1. The inside rear-view mirror
    2. No mirror; look back over your shoulder
    3. The left outside mirror
    4. The right outside mirror

  7. During an alley dock, the trailer is turning too early and too sharp. How do you correct?

    1. Speed up to finish the turn
    2. Turn the wheel slightly left
    3. Turn the wheel hard right
    4. Stop and pull fully forward

  8. Which backing manoeuvre is the easiest and safest?

    1. Backing around a corner
    2. Blind-side alley dock
    3. Straight backing
    4. Offset backing to the right

  9. In an offset back, when do you turn the steering wheel fully the other way?

    1. When tractor tires line up with the landing gear
    2. When the trailer first touches the cone
    3. As soon as the trailer starts moving backward
    4. After backing up exactly one trailer length

  10. On a curve to the left, why keep the front wheels near the right edge?

    1. So the load shifts less in the trailer
    2. So the trailer brakes can cool down faster
    3. So you can see the left mirror much better
    4. So rear wheels stay out of the other lane

  11. On a narrow street, you must swing into the left lane to turn right. What must you watch for?

    1. Trucks waiting to pass you on the left
    2. Pedestrians on the far corner only
    3. Traffic lights changing behind your trailer
    4. Cyclists or cars moving up on your right

  12. What may a tractor-trailer use in a roundabout that small vehicles should not?

    1. The exit's bike lane
    2. The inside of the island
    3. The raised central apron
    4. The outside sidewalk

  13. Why get out and walk around before backing?

    1. To check for wires, people, obstacles
    2. To test the trailer tire pressure
    3. To stretch before a long manoeuvre
    4. To check the load paperwork

  14. Before backing, which steps should you take in the cab?

    1. Seat belt off, door open, engine off
    2. Trailer brakes on, clutch in, high gear
    3. Radio off, windows down, flashers, horn
    4. Radio up, windows shut, lights off

  15. On a curve to the right, where should you keep the tractor's front wheels?

    1. On the paved shoulder
    2. Centred exactly in the lane
    3. Near the left side of the lane
    4. Near the right edge of the pavement

  16. Where should a tractor-trailer finish a left turn onto a multi-lane road?

    1. In the oncoming lanes
    2. Just right of the centre line
    3. In the far right lane at once
    4. On the right shoulder

  17. Where should a guide stand to help you back up?

    1. Directly behind the trailer, out of view
    2. Where you can see each other and the rear
    3. On the far side of the trailer
    4. Inside the cab, sitting beside you

  18. Rather than backing a tractor-trailer around a corner, what does the handbook suggest?

    1. Have a car block traffic
    2. Back faster to finish sooner
    3. Drive around the block
    4. Back without mirrors

  19. Which conditions can reduce clearance under a bridge that is normally adequate?

    1. Lower tire pressure
    2. A lighter load in the trailer
    3. Road repairs, ice or floods
    4. Driving at night

  20. From which side is an alley dock recommended?

    1. Either side equally
    2. The driver's side
    3. The passenger side
    4. Straight from the front

Off-tracking, turns and backing: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Off-track

  • In any turn the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels; this is called off-track.
  • The longer the wheelbase, the greater the off-track.
  • A tractor-semitrailer has off-track at the tractor's rear wheels and even more at the semi-trailer's rear wheels; the total depends on combination length and the wheelbase of each unit.
  • In a curve to the right, keep the front wheels near the left side of the lane so the rear wheels stay on the pavement.
  • In a curve to the left, keep the front wheels near the right edge so the rear wheels do not cross into the other lane.
  • Avoid changing lanes to make a turn; if you must use part of another lane, it is your job to do it safely.

Right turns

  • You may need to drive well into the intersection before turning; use more space from the road you are leaving than from the road you are entering.
  • Move as far left in your lane as possible before turning; on a narrow street a tractor-trailer may need part or all of the left lane so the trailer wheels miss the curb.
  • When you block another lane, watch that small vehicles, motorcycles and cyclists do not squeeze up on your right.
  • The critical point is when the tractor is at its sharpest angle to the trailer, because the right mirror view is then limited.

Left turns

  • Watch the trailer's path in the left outside mirror, or it may hit a vehicle or a sign on an island.
  • Turn in a wide arc and finish just right of the centre line, then move to the right lane when safe as you speed up.

Roundabouts

  • A large vehicle may need the full width of a roundabout, may occupy both lanes before entering, and may run its rear wheels over the raised central apron.

Backing

  • Plan routes to avoid backing; drive around the block rather than back around a corner, and pull out into traffic rather than back into it.
  • Before backing: turn off the phone and radio, open the windows, turn on four-way flashers and sound the horn.
  • Get out and walk around to check overhead wires, side clearance, people and objects in the path.
  • Use both mirrors and remember the blind area directly behind.
  • Straight backing is the easiest and safest manoeuvre; line up tractor and trailer, keep the wheels straight and correct any drift slowly.
  • Alley dock: backing from the driver's side is recommended; turn hard right while backing slowly and watch the trailer out the driver's window. If the turn starts too early or sharp, steer slightly left; if too late or wide, steer right.
  • Offset backing can be to the left (driver side) or right (passenger side); you angle the trailer toward the new lane, then counter-steer to bring the tractor back in line.
  • In an offset back, reverse while watching the right mirror until the outside edge of the tractor tires lines up with the middle of the landing gear, then turn the wheel fully the other way.
  • A guide should stand where you can see them and they can see the area behind; back-up alarms do not remove the driver's responsibility.

Clearances

  • Know your vehicle's height and width and obey clearance signs at bridges and underpasses; the maximum vehicle height in Ontario is 4.15 m.
  • Road repairs, rough roads, ice and floods can reduce clearance that is normally enough.
  • Obey signs banning trucks on certain roads, times or days.

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