Types of driving licences

Manitoba has six classes of driver’s licence, numbered from 1 to 6. Depending on what vehicles you’ll be driving and whether you’ll be driving for a living, you’ll need at least one of these licences. Each has its own requirements. Most people get a Class 5 licence, which lets you drive most cars, light trucks, some vans and SUVs.

For information about licence stages (M, L, I, F) and restrictions, please visit Your driver’s licence card features. Please note that drivers who hold an Authorized Instruction (Stage A) licence may also operate the corresponding vehicles shown in the table below as a learner (EX, a driver who holds a Class 1A licence may operate all vehicles in Classes 2, 3, 4 & 5 as a learner). For more information, please visit Authorized Instruction.

Licence classes

Class

Minimum age

Allows you to operate

1

18
  • Semi-trailer trucks.
  • Includes all vehicles in Classes 2, 3, 4 & 5.

2

18
  • Buses having a seating capacity of over 24 passengers (while carrying passengers).
  • School buses with a seating capacity over 36 passengers.
  • Includes all vehicles in classes 3, 4 & 5.

3

18
  • A truck with more than two axles.

  • A combination of vehicles that includes a truck with more than two axles, except if the combination includes a semi-trailer.

  • A combination of vehicles consisting of a truck with not more than two axles and a towed vehicle with a registered gross weight of more than 4,540 kg.

  • A combination of vehicles consisting of a Class 5 vehicle – other than a truck – and a towed vehicle with a registered gross weight of more than 4,540 kg.

  • Includes all vehicles in Classes 4 & 5.

4

18
  • Ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
  • Buses with a seating capacity of 10 and 24 passengers (while carrying passengers).
  • School buses with a seating capacity of 10 and 36 passengers (while carrying passengers).
  • Includes all vehicles in Class 5.
  • Note: individual municipalities may require a Class 4 licence to operate a Vehicle for Hire – contact your municipality for information.

5

16 or 15 ½ if enrolled in MPI’s Driver Z Program that’s currently in progress.

  • A passenger car (other than Class 4 vehicles).
  • A bus while not carrying passengers.
  • A truck with two axles.
  • A combination of vehicles consisting of a passenger car or truck with two axles and a towed vehicle with a registered gross vehicle weight of up to 4,540 kg.
  • May operate Class 3 vehicles registered as a farm truck and the driver holds a Class 5I (Intermediate stage) licence or 5F (Full stage) licence.
  • May operate a moped, if 16 years of age or older.
  • May operate infrastructure equipment or agricultural equipment on a provincial highway within the municipal boundaries of a city, town or urban municipality, subject to supervising driver requirements.

6

16
  • Motorcycles.

Air Brake Endorsement
  • Air brake endorsement permits the holder to drive vehicles equipped with air brakes in the class of vehicle for which the person is licensed.
  • Note: Drivers of Class 3 trucks registered as farm trucks equipped with air brakes are exempt from this requirement.

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