If you tow a heavy recreational vehicle, you may have to upgrade your driver's licence.
The type of licence you need depends on your trailer's fully-loaded weight, and whether the trailer or truck pulling it has air brakes.
To tow a recreational trailer weighing less than 4,600 kg when fully loaded, you simply need a regular Class 5 or 7 driver's licence for passenger vehicles.
Note: If your truck or trailer has air brakes, you also need an air brake endorsement.
Towing a heavier trailer takes extra knowledge and skill.
If you tow a recreational trailer weighing more than 4,600 kg when fully loaded, you need an upgraded driver's licence.
This table shows which type of upgraded licence is required your circumstances:
| If you tow |
then you need a |
For more information |
| an RV trailer heavier than 4,600 kg | house trailer endorsement. Exception: If you already have a Class 1, 2 or 3 driver's licence, a house trailer endorsement is not required. |
Download the study guide, Towing a recreational trailer. |
| an RV trailer heavier than 4,600 kg—and the trailer or truck pulling it has air brakes | Class 1 commercial driver's licence with an air brake endorsement. | See Steps to getting a commercial licence. |
| any other kind of trailer heavier than 4,600 kg—and the trailer or truck pulling it has no air brakes | heavy trailer endorsement. | Contact us by phone, or inquire at your local driver licensing office. |
If the trailer's total weight is more than 4,600 kg, you need an upgraded licence.
The best way to confirm your RV trailer's weight is to take it to a weigh scale when it's fully loaded: fill up the water and propane tanks as you would when travelling, and include the gear you plan to carry.
Important: