Getting your commercial driver’s licence in B.C.

To get your Commercial Vehicle Licence, you need to study Driving Commercial Vehicles, take the appropriate Knowledge Test, practice driving under a Learner’s licence, and take the commercial road test.

Can you get a Commercial Driver’s licence?

To qualify for a commercial licence, you must:

• Hold a full-privilege B.C. driver's licence (Class 5 or 6) or an out-of-province equivalent.
• Have an acceptable driving record with less than 4 penalty point incidents in the past 2 years and no motor vehicle-related criminal convictions within the past 3 years. Note: Out-of-province driving records need to be original documents and issued within the past 3 months. 
• Be at least 19 if applying for class 1, 2 or 4 licence.
• Be at least 18 if applying for class 3 licence or for a heavy trailer endorsement.

Here are the steps you will follow:

1. Study the ICBC manual, Driving Commercial Vehicles

Study Driving Commercial Vehicles. You can pick up a copy from your nearest driver licensing office, or download now. At the beginning of the guide, you will find out the chapters you need to study for the type of commercial licence you are applying.

2. Take the commercial Knowledge Test for Class 1/2/3 or 4

Apply for a commercial learner’s licence at any driver licensing office (except Expressways). You will be asked which class of licence you are applying for.

During the application process you will need to pass a knowledge and road signs test and meet medical standards. More on commercial Knowledge Test »

3. Practice with your commercial Learner’s licence

If you pass the Knowledge Test and, you will be issued a commercial learner’s licence. More on commercial Learner’s stage »

4. Take the commercial road test

The commercial road test consists of three elements:

• A pre-trip inspection test (including an air brake pre-inspection if applicable), and
• A road test
• Driver’s medical exam

More about the commercial road test »

Here’s what you need to bring:

• Required ID (This is important to process your application.)
• Any corrective lenses if required for the Vision Test
• Money to pay for the test and the license
• Money to pay all debts or tickets to ICBC or the province of B.C. See tickets and other penalties for details.