Steps to getting a commercial licence | Learner's licence | Testing for a learner's licence | Full-privilege licence | Testing for a full-privilege licence | Medical standards
You must meet required medical standards before getting a commercial driver's licence.
The following are screened when you apply for a learner's licence:
Once you have completed the medical screening and passed a knowledge test, you will receive a learner's licence.
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Later in the licensing process, you will also be required to submit your medical history. When you have passed the necessary knowledge and road tests for your full-privilege licence, as a last step ICBC licensing staff will ask you to have a B.C. licensed physician who knows your medical history complete the required medical form. You will receive this from the driver licensing office after you successfully completed your road test. 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. Note that the cost a physician may charge to complete the required medical form is not covered by the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia, ICBC or the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles. |
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 may be required to have your eyes tested by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
Your vision will be checked to measure:
Note that commercial drivers must meet a higher vision standard than regular passenger vehicle (Class 5) licence drivers.
If you have a hearing impairment, you may be required to have your hearing tested as part of the learner's licence application process. You may be allowed to use hearing aids in certain instances.
Additionally, you may be required to undergo a more detailed driving test to determine whether your hearing impairment affects your driving.
Your physical and medical condition is critical to your ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle. You must be in good physical and medical condition and in good health to be a commercial driver.
When you apply for your learner's licence you must disclose any prescription medications you are taking and any known medical conditions that you have.
Certain 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 (such as an inability to rotate your head, paralysis of any limb or disabling rheumatism or arthritis), you may not qualify for a commercial licence.
