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Alberta Class 1–4 overview

Alberta Class 1–4: Commercial licence classes and requirements

Classes 1 to 4 and what each lets you drive, the Q (air brake) and S (school bus) endorsements, minimum age, medical reports, the knowledge, vision and road tests, and learner supervision rules.

  • 18 questions
  • Topic drill
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Commercial licence classes and requirements · Question 1Score 0/0

Which air brake type does NOT require a Q endorsement?

Study reference: Commercial Driver's Guide (Spring 2023), Ch. 1 Commercial Driver's Licence Requirements — Definitions, Commercial driver's licences, Upgrading, Knowledge test, Road test, Learning requirements

All 18 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. Which air brake type does NOT require a Q endorsement?

    1. Full air brakes
    2. Air-actuated hydraulic brakes
    3. Air over hydraulic brakes
    4. Air brakes on the trailer only

  2. Who may supervise a Class 2 learner driving a bus?

    1. A Class 3 or Class 4 holder
    2. Any driver with a Q endorsement
    3. Any adult with a full Class 5
    4. A driver who holds Class 1 or Class 2

  3. Since September 1, 2022, when may a driver operate a school bus without an S endorsement?

    1. With two passengers at most, none of them students or minors
    2. Whenever the whole trip is shorter than 50 kilometres
    3. When a teacher rides on the bus
    4. On weekends, holidays and other days without classes

  4. During the pre-trip inspection part of a road test, what are you expected to do?

    1. Point to each item and say what you are checking
    2. Read from your own checklist notes
    3. Inspect only the brakes and lights
    4. Hand the examiner a written report first

  5. You hold a Class 5 GDL (probationary) licence. Can you apply for a Class 3 licence now?

    1. No, not while you are a probationary GDL driver
    2. Yes, once you have passed the knowledge test
    3. Only for farm-registered trucks
    4. Yes, as long as you are at least 18 years old

  6. A farmer drives a farm-registered tractor-trailer combination that needs a Class 1 licence. Is a Q endorsement required?

    1. No, farm-registered vehicles never need an air brake endorsement
    2. Only when driving outside Alberta
    3. Yes, a Class 1 farm combination needs it
    4. Only if the trailer is loaded

  7. Which commercial upgrades require a medical report?

    1. All classes, including Class 5
    2. Class 1 and 3
    3. Class 3 only
    4. Class 1, 2 and 4

  8. You pass the Class 1 road test in a truck with an automatic transmission. What is the result?

    1. You must take the road test again within 12 months
    2. Your licence becomes a Class 3 instead
    3. You may only drive within 160 km of your home terminal
    4. A condition code limits you to automatic trucks

  9. What happens on the commercial knowledge test when you answer a sixth question wrong?

    1. You get two extra questions
    2. The test ends and is recorded as a fail
    3. You may restart once that day
    4. The test continues and you answer all 30 questions

  10. A 50-year-old Class 1 driver has a medical report on file. How often must they file a new one?

    1. Every five years
    2. Every two years
    3. Every three years
    4. Every year

  11. Which vehicle may NOT be used for any commercial road test?

    1. One that must display dangerous goods placards
    2. A tractor with an automatic transmission
    3. A truck with three or more axles
    4. A bus with more than 24 passenger seats

  12. What is the minimum age to get a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence in Alberta?

    1. 19
    2. 21
    3. 18
    4. 16

  13. Since February 1, 2023, which commercial class no longer requires a road test?

    1. Class 2
    2. Class 1 with an automatic
    3. Class 4
    4. Class 3

  14. Which class is needed to drive a taxi or an ambulance in Alberta?

    1. Class 4
    2. Class 6
    3. Class 3
    4. Class 5

  15. How does a driver get the Q (air brake) endorsement added to a licence?

    1. Complete an approved Alberta air brake course
    2. Pass the Class 3 road test
    3. Drive air-brake vehicles for one year
    4. Hold a Class 4 licence for two years

  16. A Class 3 driver wants to drive a vehicle seating 20 people with passengers aboard. Is this allowed?

    1. No, not with passengers in a vehicle seating over 15
    2. Yes, as long as the passengers are not paying a fare
    3. Yes, with an S endorsement added
    4. Yes, because the vehicle has three or more axles

  17. Why may a Class 1 applicant get knowledge test questions from any chapter of the guide?

    1. Air brake questions are added at random
    2. Other classes skip chapter 4
    3. A Class 1 holder may drive other vehicle types too
    4. Class 1 knowledge tests always have 50 or more questions

  18. Which licence class lets you drive a single motor vehicle with three or more axles, such as a tandem dump truck?

    1. Class 5
    2. Class 2 only
    3. Class 4
    4. Class 3

Commercial licence classes and requirements: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Definitions (p. 8)

  • A full air brake system uses an engine-driven compressor; air travels through hoses, reservoirs and valves to every foundation brake.
  • To drive a vehicle with air to all foundation brakes you need a Class 1 licence or a "Q" (air brake) endorsement; a learner is the only exception.
  • Air over hydraulic: some axles have air-actuated brakes and some have hydraulic brakes; it also needs a Q endorsement or a Class 1 licence.
  • Air actuated hydraulic (air-assisted): the compressor only boosts a hydraulic system on every wheel; no Q endorsement is needed for this type.
  • The Q endorsement can be added to any licence class after the driver completes an approved Alberta air brake course through an authorized organization.
  • An ambulance is an emergency vehicle built to carry injured people and fitted with rescue or first aid equipment.
  • An axle is a shaft on which two or more wheels turn.
  • Under the Traffic Safety Act, a bus is a commercial vehicle designed to carry 11 or more people, counting the driver, and used to transport people.

Definitions (p. 9)

  • The "S" condition code (school bus endorsement) goes on a licence after the driver completes the School Bus Driver Improvement Program.
  • A semi-trailer has axles only at or near the rear, is supported at the front by the tractor or the trailer ahead, and connects by a kingpin and fifth wheel.
  • A trailer has no motive power of its own and is designed to be towed.
  • A truck is a motor vehicle designed to carry goods or loads.
  • A truck tractor couples to a semi-trailer with a fifth wheel; bed trucks, picker trucks and winch trucks are not truck tractors.
  • A school bus includes CSA Type A1, A2, B, C or D school buses, multifunction school activity buses and vehicles registered as kindergarten buses; transit buses are excluded.
  • Since September 1, 2022 a driver may operate a school bus without an S endorsement if there are no more than two passengers and none are students or minors; the right licence class is still required.

Commercial driver's licences (p. 10)

  • Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 all have a minimum learning and licensing age of 18.
  • You cannot apply for Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 while you are a probationary (GDL) driver.
  • Class 1 allows any motor vehicle or combination except a motorcycle; Class 6 vehicles only for learning.
  • Class 2 allows a bus, plus anything a Class 3, 4 or 5 holder may drive; Class 1 and Class 6 vehicles only for learning.
  • Class 3 allows anything a Class 5 holder may drive, a single motor vehicle with three or more axles, and such a vehicle towing a trailer that has no air brakes.
  • Class 3 lets you learn in Class 1, 2 and 6 vehicles.
  • A Class 3 holder may not drive a vehicle seating more than 15 while carrying anyone besides the driver, and may not carry passengers for hire.
  • Single motor vehicles registered as farm vehicles do not need a Q endorsement.
  • Class 4 allows anything a Class 5 holder may drive, plus an ambulance or a taxi and smaller buses; Class 1, 2, 3 and 6 vehicles only for learning.

Upgrading your licence (p. 11)

  • To learn to drive a commercial class vehicle you need at least a Class 5 or Class 5 GDL licence.
  • A learner does not need an air brake endorsement while learning on a vehicle with air brakes.
  • A medical report is required to upgrade to Class 1, 2 or 4; a doctor or nurse practitioner completes it.
  • Medical forms come from a registry agent, a doctor or a nurse practitioner.
  • After the first medical report: every five years until age 45, every two years from 45 to 65, and every year after 65.
  • Drivers must report to a registry agent any disease or disability that could affect safe driving.
  • Alberta Registries can ask any driver in any class for a medical report if there is a concern.
  • A fee is charged for every knowledge test, road test and licence re-classification.
  • New applicants from other Canadian jurisdictions holding non-GDL Class 5, 5-6 or 6 wait 10 days before re-classing to Class 1 to 4, so Alberta can confirm their record.
  • Driving with the wrong licence class is an offence, and so is an owner letting someone without the proper class drive the vehicle.

Knowledge test, vision, road test (p. 12)

  • The knowledge test is taken at most registry agent offices.
  • Questions can come from the whole Commercial Driver's Guide, whatever the chapter title, and from the Driver's Guide for cars and light trucks.
  • Because a Class 1 holder may drive other vehicle types, Class 1 applicants may get questions from any chapter.
  • The test has 30 multiple-choice questions; you need at least 25 correct; the test stops and is recorded as a fail once six answers are wrong.
  • A vision assessment is required before upgrading; drivers below the standard are referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist for a Vision Referral form.
  • Bring your glasses or contact lenses to the vision assessment.
  • A full (non-GDL) Class 5 licence is needed to take a commercial road test.
  • Class 1, 2 and 3 applicants also do a pre-trip inspection; Class 1 applicants show uncoupling and coupling; air-brake units need an air brake inspection.
  • During the pre-trip you point at each item and tell the examiner what you are checking; notes are not allowed.
  • If the vehicle fails the pre-trip, or you do not complete the pre-trip, the road test does not go ahead.

Road test vehicles (p. 13)

  • The examiner must see your road test permit or confirmation.
  • No road test is done in a vehicle that must display dangerous goods placards.
  • Class 1 test vehicle: tractor-trailer of at least 11,794 kg, full air brakes on tractor and trailer, at least tandem-axle tractor and tandem-axle trailer, fifth wheel.
  • Class 1 test trailer: a single trailer at least 45 feet long and at least 35 feet from kingpin to the centre of each rear axle.
  • You cannot get a Class 1 licence without first qualifying for the air brake endorsement.
  • Since February 1, 2023 the Class 1 road test can be done with an automatic transmission; passing that way adds a condition code limiting you to automatic commercial vehicles.
  • The automatic-only condition code can be removed by passing a second, shorter Class 1 road test in a manual-transmission truck.
  • Class 2 test vehicle: a bus seating more than 24 passengers, not counting the driver.
  • Class 3 test vehicle: a single motor vehicle with three or more axles; a three-axle recreational vehicle may not be used.
  • For a Class 2 or 3 test in an air-brake vehicle you need a Q endorsement or a course completion certificate from an approved air brake organization.

Learning requirements (p. 14)

  • A Class 1 learner must be accompanied by a supervisor aged at least 18 who holds Class 1.
  • A Class 2 learner's supervisor must hold Class 1 or 2; a Class 3 learner's supervisor must hold Class 1, 2 or 3; a Class 4 learner's supervisor must hold Class 1, 2 or 4.
  • The minimum age to take the Class 1, 2 or 3 road test is 18.
  • Since February 1, 2023 no road test is needed for a Class 4 licence; Class 4 drivers still need to meet vision standards and give a medical report.

Air brake farm vehicles, renewal (p. 15)

  • A single motor vehicle registered as a farm vehicle can be driven without a Q endorsement.
  • A farm vehicle combination that requires a Class 1 licence does require the air brake endorsement.
  • Class 1 applicants must show proof of air brake qualification even if they will only drive farm-registered vehicles.
  • Alberta no longer mails licence renewal reminders; you can sign up for free electronic reminders, and renewing on time is your responsibility.
  • A name or address change must be reported to Alberta Registries through a registry agent immediately.

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