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.

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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