Obtaining your licence
In Manitoba, our class licence system recognizes the professional from the non-professional driver. With a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence, you are able to operate vehicles like semi-trailer trucks, school and passenger buses as well as emergency vehicles. Learn more here.
To obtain a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence, you must:
- Hold a minimum Class 5I or Class 5A driver’s licence for Classes 2-4.
- Hold a minimum Class 5F licence for Class 1.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Meet the required visual and medical standards for the applicable class.
- Pass a knowledge test.
- Apply for Authorized Instruction.
- Pass a road test. (Minimum Class 5F licence required to take road test.)
See additional information about obtaining a Class 1 licence.
Knowledge test
About the test
For Class 1, 2, 3, 4, Air Brake and School Bus knowledge tests, applicants must pass the knowledge test for the class of licence they are applying for. The content of these tests are based on the Professional Driver’s Handbook and the Air Brake Manual.
This is not an open book test. Cell phones or electronic devices cannot be used during the test. There is a 30-minute time limit to complete a knowledge test.
Only one knowledge test per class of licence (Class 1 to 4) is allowed per day.
Applicants must have a 5L licence before they are eligible to write the air brake knowledge test.
Languages
Knowledge tests for Class 1 and Air Brake are available in English, French or Punjabi.
All other knowledge tests, including Class 2, 3, 4 and School Bus are only available in English and French.
Please specify your language preference when booking your appointment.
Cost
Knowledge tests are $10 per test.
Next steps
Once you pass a knowledge test, you must apply for Authorized Instruction in that class.
If you fail a Class 1, 2, 3, 4, or Air Brake knowledge test, you are eligible to retake the test on the next working day.
Authorized Instruction
To learn to drive Class 1 to 4 vehicles, you must apply for Authorized Instruction in the class of vehicle you want to drive.
- To obtain Authorized Instruction in Classes 2 to 4, a driver must hold a minimum Class 5I or Class 5A driver’s licence, be minimum 18 years of age, meet medical standards, 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, be at least 18 years of age, meet medical standards, pass the knowledge test and pay any charges required. See more information about obtaining a Class 1 licence.
Holders of Authorized Instruction must be accompanied by a person who holds a valid driver’s licence and has held a minimum Class 5F driver’s 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.
Next steps
Applicants for 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. See additional information about obtaining a Class 1 licence. To take a road test in Classes 1-4, the driver must hold a Class 5F driver’s licence.
Road test
About the test
All professional driving road tests not only measure your ability to operate a specific class of vehicle, they also identify errors that need to be corrected. To prepare for a road test, review the Professional Driver’s Manual.
Only one road test per class of licence (Class 1 to 4) is allowed per day.
See information about obtaining a Class 1 licence.
It is not permissible to use any device to record a road test, road test route or make any recording (visual or audio) of any MPI employee, any person attending an MPI testing site, or any individual taking an MPI-conducted driver examination.
Languages
All road tests are conducted in English or French. Please specify your language preference when booking your appointment.
Test guidelines
You must bring a vehicle in good working order and produce a Vehicle Registration Certificate confirming the vehicle is properly registered and insured. Failure to do so may result in the cancellation of the road test.
A pre-trip inspection of the vehicle will also be needed for Class 1, 2, 3 and school bus tests.
Please note: Regeneration of Class 1 vehicles is not permitted at Manitoba Public Insurance testing locations. If regeneration is required at the time of a test, you will be asked to remove the vehicle from the testing site.
You will be required to operate your vehicle in typical traffic situations in a safe and legal manner and will be evaluated on your driving skills.
Only authorized Manitoba Public Insurance employees may ride with you during the test.
Cost
- Class 1 licence: $50
- Class 2 or 3 licence: $45
- Class 4 licence: $35
- Air brake: $30*
*There is no additional charge for the practical air brake test if you are taking a road test for a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence and the vehicle you are using for the test is equipped with air brakes.
Next steps
If you fail the road test, you are eligible to retake it the next working day.
How to book
Appointments
Most knowledge and road tests are by appointment only. Effective April 1, 2024, all Winnipeg MELT students who reside in Winnipeg and have taken their training in Winnipeg, must also take their Class 1 road test in Winnipeg.
Visit an Autopac agent to pay for your test and schedule your appointment. Walk-in knowledge tests are available at Cityplace (2nd floor) in Winnipeg on weekdays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1- 4 p.m. (For walk-in testing, customers must first visit a Service Centre or Autopac agent to purchase the test, and then attend the walk-in location with proof of purchase, valid ID and a completed Medical Examination Report.)
You can schedule your test appointment up to eight weeks in advance.
Both knowledge and road tests are conducted during weekdays only (with the exception of holidays). Saturday appointments are available in Winnipeg.
Your Autopac agent can provide you with details of available appointments at any testing location.
Please note: You will need to give written consent for another individual, including a parent or legal guardian, to purchase and book a road test on your behalf. This requirement is dictated by The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) which prohibits us from releasing any information about another customer without their written consent.