How many questions are on the heavy vehicle mechanic (MVL) exam?

The heavy vehicle mechanic (MVL) trade is not a CCQ trade: the competence card for this trade is issued by the automotive services industry parity committees (CPA), and their qualification exam applies. According to the official CPCPA preparation kit (version 11-2023, consulted October 18, 2026), the “Heavy vehicle mechanics end of apprenticeship” exam has two components:

• theoretical component: 115 questions drawn at random from a bank, 150 minutes, passing mark 70%; it must be passed to register for the practical component;
• practical component: 44 questions in 3 modules, with a double threshold — an overall grade of 60% and at least 50% in each module.

The theoretical component covers five areas — steering and suspension, brakes, engine and emission control, electricity, transmission — and distributes questions as 45% knowledge, 35% understanding and 20% diagnosis. Passing earns the journeyman competence card (Class C); the exam is identical throughout Quebec and the certificate is recognized in the other Canadian provinces and in France.

There is also an advanced exam (Classes A and B), theoretical only: 70 questions drawn from a bank, 150 minutes maximum, with passing marks that vary by region (49.9%, 62.5% or 75% depending on the class sought).

Not to be confused with the CCQ: the Commission de la construction du Québec publishes no information sheet under the name “heavy vehicle mechanic”; its mechanical trade is heavy equipment mechanic (information sheet: 65 questions, three hours, 60% passing grade). To work on heavy road vehicles, the card required is the one issued by the CPA in your region, and registration requires an apprenticeship hour threshold set by that committee (the CPA des Cantons de l'Est publishes 6,001 hours).