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Report-a-claim in the Lower Mainland by calling 604-520-8222 or 1-800-910-4222 for the rest of B.C.

Types of licences

The table below explains the types, or classes, of B.C. driver licences. Use this table to determine the class of licence you wish to get.

Class
Typical Vehicles

Minimum Age


Class 1
Semi-trailer trucks and all other motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles except motorcycles

See Commercial licence.

19

Class 2
  • Buses, including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles
  • Trailers or towed vehicles may not exceed 4,600 kilograms except if the bus and trailers or towed vehicles do not have air brakes
  • Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 4

See Commercial licence.

19

Class 3
  • Trucks with more than two axles, such as dump trucks and large tow trucks, but not including a bus that is being used to transport passengers
  • Trailers may not exceed 4,600 kilograms except if the truck and trailers do not have air brakes
  • A tow car towing a vehicle of any weight
  • A mobile truck crane
  • Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

See Commercial licence.

18

Class 4
(unrestricted)
  • Buses with a maximum seating capacity of 25 persons (including the driver), including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles used to transport people with disabilities
  • Taxis and limousines
  • Ambulances
  • Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

See Commercial licence.

19

Class 4
(restricted)
  • Taxis and limousines (up to 10 persons including the driver)
  • Ambulances
  • Special vehicles with a seating capacity of not more than 10 persons (including the driver) used to transport people with disabilities
  • Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

See Commercial licence.

19


Class 5 or 7

  • Two axle vehicles including cars, vans, trucks and tow trucks
  • Trailers or towed vehicles may not exceed 4,600 kilograms
  • Motor homes (including those with more than two axles)
  • Limited speed motorcycles** and allterrain vehicles (ATVs)
  • Passenger vehicles used as school buses with seating capacity of not more than 10 persons (including the driver)
  • Construction vehicles
  • Three-wheeled vehicles - does not include three-wheeled motorcycles (trikes) or motorcycle/sidecar combinations
  • Does not include Class 4 vehicles or motorcycles

See Passenger vehicle licence.

16


Class 6 or 8

Motorcycles, all-terrain cycles, allterrain vehicles (ATVs)

See Motorcycle (have licence) or Motorcycle (1st licence).

16


Class 4 or 5 with heavy trailer endorsement
(code 20)

  • Trailers or towed vehicles exceeding 4,600 kilograms provided neither the truck nor trailer has air brakes
  • Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

See Passenger vehicle licence.

18


Class 4 or 5 with house trailer endorsement
(code 51)

  • Recreational (house) trailers exceeding 4,600 kilograms provided neither the truck nor trailer has air brakes
  • Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

You can visit our section on Towing a Recreation Trailer and download a copy, or contact your nearest driver licensing office for a copy.

18

* Limited-speed motorcycles — Can be operated with any class of driver's licence. Learners require a Class 6 or Class 8 motorcycle learner's licence. Limited-speed motorcycles cannot be operated with any other type of learner's licence.

A limited-speed motorcycle has:

Need more information about driver licensing requirements for operating a motorcycle, moped, or motor scooter? (Requires Acrobat Reader. Get it here if required.)