Driver Licensing > Driver Testing
Manitoba’s Class Licence System
Manitoba’s Class Driver’s Licence System recognizes the
professional from the non-professional driver. To promote
safety for all road users, drivers must meet vision, medical,
knowledge and skill standards in order to operate a particular
class of vehicle.
As an applicant for a professional (Class 1, 2, 3 or 4) driver’s licence, you will need to know the information given in the Professional Driver's and the Manitoba Driver’s Handbook. These manuals contain the basics of safe, professional driving.
As a professional driver you will have to ensure that your vehicle is properly maintained by performing pre-trip inspections and, when necessary, in-service and pre-hill inspections.
Drivers must know and obey all laws and regulations for the areas in which they are operating and can be held responsible if they do not obey.
Before learning to drive a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 vehicle, you must get authorized instruction in the class of vehicle you want to be licensed in. This manual will explain the types of driver’s licences available and how to go about getting one. When you are ready, Driver and Vehicle Licensing will test your ability to operate the class of vehicle you wish to drive.
These instructions have no legislative sanction. For interpreting and applying the law, consult The Highway Traffic Act, The Drivers and Vehicles Act, and their respective Regulations.
Who Must Take a Driver Test
You must take a driver test for the class of vehicle you wish to drive if you:
- have never been licensed for that class of vehicle;
- have not held a Manitoba licence within the past four years; or
- hold a licence from outside Canada, the United States or other jurisdictions whose licences are not exchangeable.
You may be required to be re-tested if you:
- have been involved in traffic accidents or have convictions;
- have had your licence suspended; or
- have a disease or disability that may affect your ability to drive safely.
Authorized Instruction
To learn to drive Class 1 to 4 vehicles, drivers must apply for Authorized Instruction in the class of vehicle they want to drive. To obtain Authorized Instruction in classes 1 to 4 a driver must hold a minimum Class 5 Intermediate Stage (I) or Class 5 Authorized Instruction Stage (A) driver’s licence, meet medical standards, pass the written test and pay any charges required. To take a road test, the driver must hold a Full Class 5 driver’s licence.
Holders of Authorized Instruction for Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 must be accompanied by a person who holds a valid licence and has held a minimum Full Class 5 licence for at least three years, of which two years are the same class of licence being sought. This person is known as the supervising driver and must sit in the seat nearest the driver.
Note: Effective November 1, 2003, a person must hold a valid minimum Class 5 Intermediate Stage driver’s licence to operate a special mobile machine, implement of husbandry or tractor on a provincial highway, or a highway within the municipal boundaries of a city, town, village or urban municipality. For further information please call (204) 985-7000 or toll free at 1-800-665-2410.
Application and Test Requirements
A) Age Limits and Licence Requirements
Any person 18 years of age or over who holds a minimum Class 5 Intermediate Stage or Class 5 Authorized Instruction driver’s licence and meet the required written, visual and medical standards for that class may apply for Authorized Instruction in Class 1, 2, 3 or 4.
B) Visual and Medical Requirements
All applicants for a Class 1 - 4 driver’s licence must file a medical report approved by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing before taking a written test. Applicants who fail to meet the minimum medical standards will be denied a Class 1 to 4 licence.
In addition, a medical report must be filed based on the age of the driver. Drivers with certain medical conditions may have to file more often.
The applicant must also meet the minimum Class 1 to 4 vision standards. Applicants who fail to meet the minimum vision standards, with or without corrective lenses cannot obtain a Class 1 to 4 licence. If corrective lenses are required for driving, this will be indicated on your licence. A vision report may be needed.
Manitoba Health will NOT pay for third party requests for a medical report including related examinations, tests or telephone calls to the physician. Applicants are responsible for these costs.
C) Knowledge Test - Written
For a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence and for airbrake and school bus written tests, applicants must pass the written test for the class of licence they are applying for. This is not an open book test and cellular phones or electronic devices cannot be used during the test. The written test charge is $10 (subject to change) per test. Only one written test per class of licence (Class 1 to 4) is allowed per day. You may repeat a Class 1 to 4 Air Brake or School Bus written test on the next working day.
D) Road Test
Applicants for either a Class 1, 2 or 3 driver’s licence, who have never held that class of driver’s licence from any jurisdiction must wait at least two weeks after they are issued Authorized Instruction in that class before taking a road test. Drivers must also hold a minimum Full (F) Class 5 driver’s licence.
The road test not only measures your ability to operate a specific class of vehicle, it also identifies errors that need to be corrected. You will be required to operate your vehicle in typical traffic situations in a safe and legal manner. You will be judged on your driving skills. Only authorized Manitoba Public Insurance employees may ride with you during the test.
A pre-trip inspection of the vehicle will also needed for Class 1, 2, 3 and School Bus tests.
Charges for road tests are as follows (subject to change):
Class 1 - $50
Class 2 or 3 - $45
Class 4 - $35
Class 5 or 6 - $30
Air Brake Practical Test - $30
Senior drivers (65 or over) are exempt from written and road test charges.
Please make sure you check-in 15 minutes before your appointment time. You must bring a vehicle in good working order and produce a Vehicle Registration Certificate confirming the vehicle is properly registered and insured. Licence plates must be properly stickered to confirm registration and insurance as well as the display of any other required stickers (i.e. vehicle inspection stickers). Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the road test.
Only one road test per class of licence (Class 1 to 4) is allowed per day. You may repeat a road test (Class 1 to 4) on the next working day. An applicant who demonstrates dangerous driving during their road test may have to get permission from the Manager of Driver Testing before attempting another road test.
Road Testing Locations
Road test applicants residing in the following cities/towns must take their test at the Service Centre in their city/town:
- Winnipeg (including the municipalities of Headingley, East and West St. Paul)
- Beausejour
- Brandon
- Dauphin
- Portage la Prairie
- Steinbach
- Thompson
- Winkler
Road test applicants residing in other towns are tested at the nearest Service Centre.
Driver Examination Appointments
Before phoning to book your appointment for a driving test
you must get the correct receipt from your Autopac agent
or Manitoba Public Insurance Customer Service Centre.
You will be asked for the receipt number when making
your appointment.
- Outside Winnipeg: All appointments for road tests must be made ahead of time. All appointments for a written test at a mobile testing location must also be made ahead of time. Call toll-free 1-800-782-0777 to make an appointment. Written tests may be taken without an appointment in the Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and Thompson offices.
- Winnipeg: All appointments for road tests and medical interviews in Winnipeg must be made ahead of time. Call (204) 985-7788 to make an appointment.
New Resident
New residents to Manitoba may operate a motor vehicle in Manitoba with their valid out-of-province licence for up to three months before getting a Manitoba driver’s licence. Testing requirements may be waived if you surrender a valid and equivalent class driver’s licence from another jurisdiction. For further information on new resident drivers, please call (204) 985-7000 or toll-free 1 (800) 665-2410.
Change of Address or Name
You must notify your Autopac agent or Manitoba Public Insurance within 15 days of any change in your name or address.
For more information:
Talk to your Autopac agent
In Winnipeg, call us at (204) 985-7000
Outside Winnipeg, call us toll free at 1-800-665-2410
