What Is the CARS Exam?

The CARS exam tests your knowledge of the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS) as they apply to aircraft maintenance. According to Transport Canada's TP14038E syllabus, the exam covers regulatory requirements for maintenance releases, technical records, flight authority, and continuing airworthiness. It is a mandatory written exam for both M1 and M2 AME ratings — regardless of whether you pursue the small aircraft M1 path or the large aircraft M2 path, you must pass the CARS exam to earn your license.

The Canadian Aviation Regulations are the legal framework governing all aviation activities in Canada, from pilot licensing to aircraft manufacturing to maintenance. For AMEs, the most relevant sections are Parts I, II, V, and VI, which cover regulatory administration, aircraft identification and registration, aircraft maintenance and manufacturing standards, and personnel licensing respectively. The CARS exam ensures that every licensed AME has a working knowledge of these regulations and can apply them correctly in real-world maintenance scenarios.

Exam Format and Structure

Number of questions: 50 multiple-choice questions
Time limit: 90 minutes (approximately 1.8 minutes per question)
Pass mark: 70% (35 out of 50 correct)
Format: Computer-based testing at Transport Canada-approved locations
Language: Available in both English and French
Re-test policy: You can re-write the exam after 30 days if you do not pass the first time

The 90-minute time limit is generally adequate for well-prepared candidates, but time management is still important. Some questions are straightforward, requiring simple recall of a regulation number or definition. Others are scenario-based, asking you to apply multiple regulations to a maintenance situation — these take longer to work through. A good strategy is to answer all the questions you are confident about first, flag the ones you need to think about, and return to them after completing the initial pass.

Key Topics Covered

The CARS exam draws from several main subject areas defined in the TP14038E syllabus. Understanding the structure of these topics is essential for efficient study:

1. General Provisions (CAR 101)

Definitions, interpretation, and applicability of the regulations. This section establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout the CARs. Understanding precise definitions is critical — terms like "maintenance," "repair," "modification," "overhaul," and "inspection" have specific legal meanings that differ from their everyday usage. Many exam questions hinge on knowing which definition applies in a given context.

2. Aircraft Registration and Leasing (CAR 202)

Requirements for aircraft registration, certification of registration, and leasing regulations affecting maintenance responsibilities. You need to know who is responsible for maintenance under various ownership and leasing arrangements, how registration marks are assigned, and what documentation must be carried on board the aircraft.

3. General Operating and Flight Rules (CAR 602)

Operating rules that affect maintenance scheduling, Minimum Equipment List (MEL) and Configuration Deviation List (CDL) provisions, and equipment requirements for different types of flight operations. Understanding the MEL/CDL framework is particularly important — these documents define what equipment can be inoperative and still allow the aircraft to fly legally under specific conditions.

4. Aircraft Maintenance Requirements (CAR 625)

The core maintenance section of the regulations. This is the most heavily tested area of the CARS exam. It covers maintenance schedules, inspection programs, Airworthiness Directives (ADs), Service Bulletins, modification approvals, and the relationship between the aircraft manufacturer's recommended maintenance program and the operator's approved maintenance schedule. Expect the largest number of exam questions from this section.

5. Maintenance Releases (CAR 571)

The legal requirements for signing maintenance releases — the certification that maintenance has been completed correctly and the aircraft is fit for return to service. This section defines the categories of maintenance, who is authorized to sign each category, and the legal responsibilities and liabilities of the certifying engineer. Understanding the difference between a "maintenance release" and other types of certifications is a common exam topic.

6. Technical Records (CAR 626)

Requirements for journey log books, technical records, and maintenance record-keeping. This includes what information must be recorded, how long records must be retained (typically 12 months for journey logs, longer for major modifications), and how records are transferred when an aircraft changes ownership. Proper record-keeping is a fundamental AME responsibility, and the exam tests your knowledge of these requirements thoroughly.

Pass Rates and What They Mean for You

While Transport Canada does not publish official pass rates for individual exams, anecdotal evidence from AME training programs and industry forums suggests that the CARS exam has one of the lower pass rates among the five written exams, particularly on first attempts. This is largely because regulatory knowledge requires a different type of study approach compared to the more technical airframe, powerplant, or electrical exams.

The challenge with the CARS exam is that the material is dense and precise — there is little room for approximation. A question about CAR 625 vs CAR 571 requires you to know which regulation covers which aspect of maintenance. Candidates who approach the CARS exam by memorizing regulation numbers without understanding their application tend to struggle. The most successful candidates focus on understanding the regulatory framework: why each regulation exists, how the parts relate to each other, and how they are applied in everyday maintenance operations.

Proven Study Strategies

Based on feedback from successful AME candidates and exam preparation instructors, the most effective study approach for the CARS exam includes:

Understand the regulation structure — CARs are organized by part number (Part I, Part II, Part V, Part VI, etc.) and within each part by subparts and sections. Create a mental map of how the parts relate to each other — this makes recall during the exam much easier than memorizing isolated facts.
Focus on CAR 625 and 571 — These two sections account for the majority of exam questions according to Transport Canada exam blueprints. Spend extra time mastering maintenance requirements and maintenance releases.
Practice with timed mock exams — Simulating the 90-minute exam conditions builds both speed and confidence. Use Sky Licence's exam simulation mode to get comfortable with the pacing and question format.
Use adaptive difficulty — Start with basic regulatory definition questions and progress to harder scenario-based questions as your knowledge improves. This builds a strong foundation before tackling complex problems.
Study the TP14038E syllabus directly — The official syllabus document contains the learning objectives for each exam domain. Use it as a checklist to ensure you have covered every topic that could appear on the exam.
Join study groups — Discussing regulatory scenarios with fellow AME candidates helps reinforce understanding and exposes you to different perspectives on how regulations are applied in practice.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Memorizing without understanding — The most common mistake candidates make. The exam tests application of regulations to real-world situations, not rote memorization of section numbers. You need to understand what each regulation means and how to apply it.
Skipping CAR definitions — Many questions hinge on precise definitions (e.g., "maintenance" vs "repair" vs "modification" vs "overhaul"). These terms have specific legal meanings in the CARs, and confusing them will cost you marks.
Ignoring recent amendments — CARs are updated regularly through the Canada Gazette process. Ensure your study materials reflect the current regulations — outdated information will lead to wrong answers.
Not reading the full question — Exam questions are carefully worded. A single word like "must" vs "should" or "may" vs "shall" can completely change the correct answer. Read every question twice before selecting your answer.
Overlooking scenario questions — Some questions describe a maintenance scenario and ask you to identify the correct regulatory response. These require you to synthesize knowledge from multiple CAR parts. Practice with scenario-based questions to prepare.

How the CARS Exam Fits Into Your AME Licensing Journey

The CARS exam is just one of five written exams required for your AME license, but it plays a unique role. While the airframe, powerplant, and electrical exams test your technical knowledge, the CARS exam tests your understanding of the legal framework that governs everything you do as a licensed engineer. Passing it demonstrates to Transport Canada that you can be trusted with the legal responsibility of signing maintenance releases.

For a complete overview of the entire licensing process, including the other four exams, experience requirements, and the oral/practical examination, read our complete AME license guide. And to understand how the choice between M1 and M2 ratings affects your exam preparation strategy, see our M1 vs M2 AME rating comparison.

Using AI to Accelerate Your CARS Exam Preparation

Modern AI-powered study platforms have transformed how AME candidates prepare for the CARS exam. Tools like Sky Licence use adaptive learning algorithms that identify your weak areas and generate targeted practice questions. Instead of studying every regulation from cover to cover, the AI focuses your time on the specific topics where you need the most improvement. For more on how AI is changing AME exam preparation, read our guide to AI-powered AME exam preparation.

The AI also provides instant, detailed feedback on every practice question — not just whether you got it right, but why the correct answer is correct and why each wrong option is wrong. This real-time feedback accelerates learning dramatically compared to traditional study methods where you might have to flip through a textbook to find an explanation.

How Sky Licence Prepares You for the CARS Exam

Sky Licence includes a dedicated CARS exam module with hundreds of practice questions aligned to the TP14038E syllabus. Our AI-powered platform adapts question difficulty to your performance, provides detailed explanations for each answer, and tracks your progress across every topic. The platform covers all six key topic areas of the CARS exam and generates both basic recall questions and complex scenario-based questions that simulate the real exam experience.

Start your CARS exam preparation with Sky Licence →

For a comprehensive deep dive into the CARs regulatory framework — including detailed analysis of every tested Part, section-by-section breakdowns, and sample scenario-based questions — read our CARs Regulatory Exam Deep Dive.