Find a location


Medical standards for commercial drivers licences

When applying for a commercial driver’s licence, you must pass a vision test, and disclose any medication you are taking or medical conditions that you have.

Getting your learner’s licence

To get your commercial learner’s driver licence, you have to:

Later in the licensing process, you will also be required to apply for a driver medical exam to meet medical standards. You are required to have your doctor complete the medical, but not submit your medical history.

Getting your full-privilege licence

To get your full-privilege commercial licence once you passed the necessary knowledge and road tests for your full-privilege licence, you must have a B.C. licensed physician complete the required medical form. The physician must know your medical history.

You will receive this from the driver licensing office after you successfully completed your road test.

Review of completed medical form

The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles will review your completed medical form and determine whether you are fit before you are issued a commercial driver's licence.The commercial driver licence can be taken away if you are medically unfit.

Cost of completing the medical form

Your physician may charge to complete the required medical form as it is not covered by the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia, ICBC or the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles. The Commercial Driver Medical Examination Processing Fee is $28.

Frequency of medical exams

You'll need a medical exam when you apply for a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 licence or industrial road endorsement (code 18 or 19). You'll also need a medical if you're applying to operate a truck trailer without an air brake (code 20).

After obtaining your licence, you'll need additional medical exams, based on your age.

The schedule is:

If you have an existing medical condition, you may need to take more frequent exams. For more information, see the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV).

Vision screening

Your vision will be screened at the driver licensing office when you apply for a learner’s licence. If your vision does not meet acceptable standards, you will be required to have your eyes tested by an ophthalmologist or optometrist . Your vision will be checked to measure:

Note: As a commercial driver, you need a higher vision standard than regular passenger vehicle (Class 5) licence drivers.

Disclosing your physical and medical condition

Your physical and medical condition is critical to your ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. You should be in good physical and medical condition and in good health to be a commercial driver.

Taking prescription medication?

When you apply for your commercial Learner’s licence you must disclose any prescription medications you are taking and any known medical conditions that you have.

Medical conditions may prohibit you from getting a commercial licence

These include, but are not restricted to:

If you are an amputee or have any disability that may hamper your ability to drive you may not qualify for a commercial licence. Examples include the inability to rotate your head, paralysis of any limb or disabling rheumatism or arthritis.

Glossary
  • A driver's licence that is free of the added restrictions normally associated with the learner and novice stage of the driver licensing process. Learn more about getting a full-privilege licence.
  • For the purposes of vehicle registration, a motor vehicle means a vehicle, not run on rails, that is designed to be self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but does not include a motor assisted cycle. A motor vehicle has an engine, frame and body, and is recognizable as a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle.