Airside Vehicle Operators' Permits (AVOPs)

AVOPs certify airport employees who can drive airside, which means driving in our gate, runway, and aircraft taxi areas. All additional information pertaining to the AVOP program can be found in the Airport Traffic Directives (ATD’s).

AVOP applicant criteria

As an AVOP applicant, you must show that you have both a need and right to drive airside. After assessing your application form, we will determine the need, as well as the locations and frequency of your requested airside access.

Complete the AVOP Application Form (PDF) and have it signed by your company’s Signing Authority.

In Part 1, Employee Information, all boxes must be filled out on the computer. The name on the application form must match the government identification (i.e., Provincial Driver’s License, RAIC). Handwritten information will not be accepted.

Please complete the form online, print it, and do not fold the printed copy. Photocopies or scans of the original version are not accepted. AVOP application forms are valid for a period of 60 days upon company signing authority completion date.

AVOP application form is required for Written Test, Practical Test and AVOP Issuance.

How to apply for AVOP (New or Expired AVOP)

1. Complete AVOP Training (Airside Safety Awareness Training Program)

Before taking the written and practical AVOP test, you must complete the Airside Safety Awareness Training Program.

This training program consists of in-class instruction and practical driving administered by a certified Pearson Airport AVOP trainer or by an authorized certified company trainer.

Training is valid for six months from the date shown on the bottom of the AVOP Certification Student Checklist you receive when you complete the course. If you do not pass the AVOP written exam within this six-month period, you will need to redo the training.

2. Pass the AVOP written test

The AVOP written test covers the fundamentals of airside safety. To prepare for the test, review the AVOP study materials.

3. Pass the AVOP practical test

The practical test must be completed within three months of successful completion of the written test. If the practical test is not administered within the three-month period, the applicant must rewrite the test, and must be completed before the expiration of AVOP Training Record (6 months).

AVOP study materials 

Airport traffic directives (ATD)

• Airport Traffic Directives – AVOP Requirements and Administration – 2024 (PDF)
• Airport Traffic Directives – AVOP DA 2024 (PDF)
• Airport Traffic Directives – AVOP D Permit – 2024 (PDF)

AVOP maps

• AVOP Site Map (April 2024) (PDF)
• Vehicle Corridors at T1/T3 Apron (February 2024) (PDF)
• Cargo West (June 2024) (PDF)
• Infield Concourse IFC (February 2024)
• GTAA/Skyservice Apron (January 2024) (PDF)
• FedEx Apron (January 2024) (PDF)
• Central Deicing Facility (January 2024) (PDF)

AVOP Videos

• D AVOP Video
• DA-AVOP Video

AVOP written test dates and location

AVOP Written Test sessions are held on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays at 08:30, 10:30 and 13:30.

Doors will be closed five minutes prior to above noted times to ensure start times are met.

To schedule your written AVOP test please use the online booking site at AVOP Written Test Booking.

Effective Tuesday, March 5, 2024 AVOP written test sessions will be held in the AVOP offices located in Terminal 1, Ground Level, near Door S in Room #GAS074, see appendix A.

For any applicants who fail to show for a booked written exam or do not provide twenty-four (24) hours’ notice of cancellation, a fee will be applied and sent to the applicant’s company. Appointment cancelations are done through written test email confirmation.

Parking validation is available to those who do not have employee parking and have parked at the Terminal 1 parking garage. Please bring your parking ticket with you if need it validated. 

What to bring to the written test

• AVOP Certification Student Checklist signed by your authorized trainer to show you completed the Airside Safety Awareness Training Program. (New or Expired AVOP applicants only)
• Your completed AVOP Application Form (PDF) signed by your company’s Signing Authority.
• Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC)
• If renewing your AVOP you MUST bring with you your existing DA, GA/DA or D AVOP card.
• Valid provincial driver’s license (G1 license holders may not hold an AVOP)
• Pen (black or blue)
• Failing to bring required documentation will result in a no-show fee being applied to applicant’s company.

AVOP Practical Driving Test

Practical tests are conducted by GTAA AVOP Examiners. To schedule your AVOP practical driving test please use online booking site at AVOP Drive Test Booking.

For any applicants who fail to show for a booked practical test or do not provide twenty-four (24) hours’ notice of cancellation, a fee will be applied and sent to the applicant’s company. Appointment cancelations are done through practical test email confirmation.

Practical test location

For the AVOP practical test with GTAA AVOP Examiners, go to Terminal 1, Head of Stand Road between bridge numbers 124/126. GTAA AVOP Program vehicle and GTAA AVOP Examiners will be parked next to the yellow snow melter. You will also see the AVOP Examiner meeting location sign on the sidewalk next to the snow melter. View the map (PDF).

What to bring to the practical test

Arrive 10 minutes before your test time with the following documents:

• AVOP Application Form signed by your company’s signing authority.
• Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC)
• Valid provincial driver’s license (pictures or copies are not accepted)
• Failing to bring required documentation may result in a no-show fee being applied to applicant’s company.

For D AVOP practical test, in addition of what is listed above please bring the following:

• Valid DA AVOP card
• Restricted Operator Certificate – Aeronautical (ROC-A)
• Failing to bring required documentation may result in a no-show fee being applied to applicant’s company.

Renewing your DA, GA/DA or D AVOP

Renew your AVOP early, so you will have time to make multiple attempts in case you do not pass the test on the first try.

As part of the AVOP renewal process, there will be an additional requirement for AVOP applicants to complete a Recurrent Online Training Course Modules, and Human Factors Module. The course is made up of:

• All 5 modules for DA AVOP applicants and Module 7
• All 6 modules for D AVOP applicants and Module 7
• GA/DA AVOP applicants Human Factors only
• All AVOP Applicants will be required to present the certificates of completion for the training to complete the AVOP renewal at the AVOP written test.

AVOP Recurrent Online Training modules

• AVOP 1 – Airside Basics
• AVOP 2 – Airside Driving
• AVOP 3 – Airside Safety
• AVOP 4 – Airside Maps
• AVOP 5 – Knowledge Check
• AVOP 6 – D Permit Refresher
• AVOP 7 - Human Factors Module

D AVOP renewal applicants will require a practical test as part of the renewal process. As a reminder, applicants will be required to pass the D AVOP Written test prior to booking their D AVOP practical driving test.

To renew a current valid DA or GA/DA AVOP, you need to pass your AVOP written test up to 90 days before your AVOP expires.

To renew a current valid D AVOP, you need to pass both your written and practical driving test up to 90 days before your AVOP expires.

If you fail your written test you will have to wait before trying again.

• First attempt: 7 days
• Second attempt: 30 days

Picking up your AVOP card (AVOP Issuance)

The issuance of Airside Vehicle Operators Permit (AVOP) cards will be done at the GTAA's Pass Permit Control Office (Pass Office). The pass office will offer walk-in service Tuesdays through Thursday during regular hours of operation as posted on the Pass Office webpage in addition to the current availability Monday through Friday via the Pass Office Virtual Queue booking system. 

Please allow to (2) business days following successful completion of your written or practical examination.

Please ensure you bring:

• AVOP Application form signed by your company’s signing authority.
• Restricted Area Identification Card (RAIC)
• Valid Provincial driver’s license
• If renewing your AVOP you MUST bring with you, all existing AVOP card(s).

AVOP Office

Hours: Monday to Friday 7am to 3pm

Contact: AVOP@gtaa.com

Phone: 416-776-AVOP (2867)

AVOP Appeals

AVOP holders may appeal the following:

• Notice of Infraction
• AVOP suspension
• AVOP revocation

To appeal an AVOP notice of infraction, submit your appeal in writing within 14 days of receiving the notice.

You can submit your appeal by Emailing: appeals@gtaa.com.

Your submission must include all pertinent details of your case, including your Surname, Given Names and  RAIC#, the reason why the appeal should be considered (for example, special circumstances). If you do not include both detail and justification for hearing the appeal, your appeal will not be considered.

Some appeals require that you (the appellant) be present when the appeal is reviewed. Your supervisor or manager may also be asked to attend. This is determined when we review your written appeal. After investigation, your employer will receive a decision in writing and should notify you. The decision of the Airport Authority shall be considered final.

For more information is available Airport Traffic Directives Requirements and Administration Section 3.6.

Manoeuvring area vehicle call sign

All vehicles in the manoeuvring area (runways and taxiways) and/or towing aircraft need to have a call sign assigned by Pearson.

Pearson applications

To apply for a manoeuvring area call sign (used to contact ATC or AMU):

1. Fill out the manoeuvring area vehicle call sign application form (PDF) and send it to avopcallsign@gtaa.com.
2. Once assigned, the call sign will be provided to the GTAA Communication Systems to enable programming of the MLAT transponder.
3. Communication Systems will provide Fleetcom with all the information to program and install the unit.
4. Fleetcom will advise Communication Systems when programming is complete.
5. Communication Systems will advise all pertinent GTAA parties of the new MLAT and its corresponding number.

Non-Pearson applications

To apply for a manoeuvring area call sign (used to contact ATC or AMU):

1. Fill out the manoeuvring area vehicle call sign application form (PDF) and send it to avopcallsign@gtaa.com.
2. We will establish and advise of the call sign, which will consist of a vehicle type (for example, “tow”) and a number.
3. Display the numerical portion of the call sign on the exterior of the vehicle on both sides.
4. Affix a placard with the full call sign inside the vehicle in view of the driver.

Multilateration (MLAT) transponders

Pearson is equipped with NAV CANADA’s MLAT technology that works with ground radar to help air traffic controllers identify who is using the runways and taxiways. We invite our operational partners to equip any vehicles they operate in these areas with an MLAT Transponder. Transponders are most valuable on vehicles such as aircraft tow tractors.

To get a transponder, note on the call sign application form (PDF) that you need one.

Pearson MLAT Installer

Contact our installer for pricing, programming information or to arrange installation:

Gabriel Sebestyen
Fleetcom Inc.
gabriel@toronto2way.com