Professional driver’s licence

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.

Driver testing and licensing services are available to Manitoba residents only. Proof of Manitoba residency is required.

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 operate.

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. 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.

Class 1

See information about obtaining a Class 1 licence.

Test requirements

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
• 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 collisions or have convictions
• have had your licence suspended
• have a medical condition 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 2 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, be at least 18 years of age, pass the knowledge test and pay any charges required.
• To obtain Authorized Instruction in Class 1, a driver must hold a minimum Class 5 Full driver’s licence, meet medical standards, be at least 18 years of age, pass the knowledge test and pay any charges required. See more information about obtaining a Class 1 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 Class 5 Full 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.

To take a road test for classes 1-4, the driver must hold a Class 5 Full driver’s licence.

Visual and medical requirements

A driver applying for Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence must file a mandatory Medical Examination Report. This report must be approved by Driver Fitness prior to obtaining your authorized instruction. Applicants are permitted to take the Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 knowledge test before the Medical Examination Report is approved. The medical report is valid for six months from the date your physician completes it. Your authorized instruction must be obtained within this six-month time frame.

In addition, periodic medical reports must be filed based on the age of the driver. Drivers with certain medical conditions may have to file more often.

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.

Applicants who fail to meet minimum medical or vision standards may not be eligible to obtain a driver’s licence. Further vision or medical information may be required to determine if an applicant meets the necessary medical and vision standards. The applicant’s driver licence or right to obtain a driver’s licence may be suspended pending review of the medical information.

If corrective lenses or other restrictions are required for driving, they will be indicated on the driver’s licence.

Drivers who are prohibited by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles to apply for a higher licence class are informed of their right to appeal the decision to the Medical Review Committee once complete medical information is filed.

Drivers may change to a lower driver’s licence classification if they do not wish to hold the higher classification. In such cases, the medical requirements of the lower licence classification must be met.

For more information about medical conditions, contact Driver Fitness.

Knowledge test

For a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence and for airbrake and school bus knowledge tests, applicants must pass the knowledge 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 knowledge test charge is $10 (subject to change) per test. Only one knowledge 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 knowledge test on the next working day.

Road test

Applicants for either a Class 2, 3 or 4 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.

During the road test, 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 is required for Class 1, 2, 3, 4 (bus) and School Bus tests.

See more information about the knowledge and road test requirements, including fees and locations.

Other

Fuel efficiency

Conserving fuel should be a key consideration for any professional driver – it benefits the environment and saves money. You may not be able to control gas prices, but your driving habits can reduce the amount of fuel you burn. Detailed fuel-efficiency training is available online from Natural Resources Canada.

Commercial driver abstract

The commercial driver abstract includes more information about an individual’s driving record than a non-commercial abstract. See more information on commercial abstracts.