Frequently Asked Questions

There are several classes of licenses in Alberta. But when it comes to a Class 1 or 3 license in Alberta, you cannot get your license until you have held your Class 7 for one year, then driven with a Class 5 non-GDL for at least 2 years. Upon the completion of your exam to have your GDL removed, you are able to upgrade to all other classes of licenses.

Class 1 Can drive any class or vehicle, including motorcycle as a learner

Class 2 Can drive any vehicle that a Class 3, 4 or 5 driver can drive, plus Class 1 and Class 6 vehicles as a learner

Class 3 Can drive any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 5 license may drive; a single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles; a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles that is towing a trailer with one or more axles (if the trailer is not equipped with air brake); a Class 2 or 4 type vehicle without passengers (bus, taxi, ambulance); a Class 1, 2 or 6 vehicle as a learner

Class 4 Can drive a taxi, ambulance or bus (including a school or kindergarten bus) that seats fewer than 25 people including the driver; all motor vehicles included under Class 5; a Class 1, 2, 3 or 6 vehicle as a learner

Class 5 non GDL Can drive a two-axle single motor vehicle; a motorhome without air brake; a vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles if the trailer is not equipped with air brake; a moped, a recreational vehicle, or any combination of recreational vehicles and a trailer, if the trailer has two axles or less, and isn’t equipped with air brake

Class 5 GDL As above, with some restrictions: zero alcohol limit, cannot supervise a class 7 learner, cannot drive with more passengers than seat belts and license will be suspended at 8 demerit points (rather than 15 for the Class 5 Non-GDL driver).

Class 6 Can drive a motorcycle or moped; all other vehicles under Class 5 as a learner (unless licensed with another class in addition to the Class 6 license)

Class 7 Can drive any vehicle that a Class 5 driver can drive, but only under supervision of a driver over the age of 18 who holds a Class 5 non-GDL license. Learner drivers cannot drive between 12 midnight and 5 am and are subject to the same additional restrictions of a Class 5 GDL driver.

When you’re ready, you can start your training for your Class 1 or 3 license. Since Class 1 can drive any vehicle, you can see why it is considered to be the “most valuable” or the “cream of the crop”. In order to do your Class 1 road test, you must complete your written test at a Registry office, a driver’s medical, and your Air Brake “Q” endorsement. Whether you have a little or a lot of experience on a 13- or 18-speed transmission can affect how many hours of training you may require prior to your road test.

Once you have your Class 1 license, you will be required to provide a Driver’s Medical every 5 years to age 39, 4 years to age 40, 3 years to age 41, then every 2 years from age 42-62, and annually thereafter.

At this time, there are no medical certificate requirements in Alberta for Class 3. However, you should be aware that other jurisdictions (i.e. the U.S.) may require a medical certificate at the border crossing, so you do need to make sure you know about requirements for any other jurisdiction where you may be driving with your Class 3 license.

What is a Class 1 vehicle?

-A Class 1 license is required to drive a tractor or truck pulling an air brake equipped trailer. Regardless of how many drive axles on the vehicle, if the trailer is air brake equipped, you must have a Class 1 license.

What is a Class 3 vehicle?

-A Class 3 vehicle is a single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles; a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles that is towing a trailer with one or more axles (if the trailer is not equipped with air brake); a Class 2 or 4 type vehicle without passengers (bus, taxi, ambulance); a Class 1, 2 or 6 vehicle as a learner

-An easy way to tell is if the vehicle has 3 wheels, it’s a Class 3. This would be a vehicle with 1 steering axle and 2 drive axles. As long as the trailer is NOT air equipped, it can be hauled with a Class 3.

-However, the vehicle itself usually has air brake, so a Q endorsement is required to drive these vehicles.

-In Alberta, you can’t get your Class 3 license until you have held a Class 7 for one year, then your Class 5 GDL (Graduated driver’s license) for 2 years. Once the exam is completed and the GDL is removed from the license, you can upgrade your license to any other class of license.

What can I drive with a Class 5 license?

-You will only require a Class 5 license if you are driving a two axle vehicle pulling a trailer with no air brake. However, some provinces has restrictions on trailer weight for the truck pulling it, since the weight can be difficult to stop with electric brakes.

So in short, 2 axle vehicle (with or without trailer, not air brake equipped) Class 5; 3 wheels (2 drive axles) vehicle (with or without trailer, not air brake equipped) Class 3; Vehicle with air brake equipped trailer Class 1

The cost to obtain a Class 3 license depends on a few different criteria. Someone who has very little to no experience may require between 10-20 hours to get a Class 3 license. Some people require more, some require less. The amount of time required may vary depending on backing skills, shifting, clutching, and other factors. Every time a student goes out on the truck with the instructor, they are graded on a few different criteria on a scale of 1-4. Until the student is at 3s or 4s, we know he/she is not ready to successfully pass a Road Test. Our job is to make sure that you are well equipped for a career in the Driving industry. As with any education, it is an investment in your future. It is always smart to invest a little extra time to ensure your success than to try to rush and have to retest, spending unnecessary amounts of time and money. If you are unsure of how much time you may require on the truck, we can start you with a 2 hour Evaluation to estimate approximately how much time you may need for your training.

The cost to obtain a Class 1 license has changed as of March 1, 2019. Everyone wishing to obtain their Class 1 license must take Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) this course is 121.5 hours of training: 47 hours of classroom components, 17.5 hours of in-yard components and 57 hours of in-cab training.

Now! Any time is the best time to get started on a fun and fulfilling career. Some people may be apprehensive towards taking their training in the winter, but this is the best way to get started. When you train during the winter, you are better equipped for all conditions and situations. You can drive next to an instructor who is ready for whatever the road may throw at you, rather than trying to figure it out on your own on the fly. Just be sure to bundle up for the pre-trip!

The air brake course is a full day course, offered twice per week. It starts at 6:30am for registration and ends around 4:00pm. Please contact us for availability

It is comprised of a classroom theory and a practical portion.

In the classroom theory part, the student will learn about the braking fundamentals, the components of the air brake system and how they work. The goal of this course is to show students how to test and maintain the system for proper function. Another important factor is to teach the student how to react and deal with system failures.

Upon completion of the theory, the students will be given a practical exam. In the practical portion the student will learn the proper procedures for daily air brake maintenance.

From here, the student will be given a certificate to take to a registry office to complete the written exam.

This is not an automatic upgrade!

You are required to register this certificate in order for “Q” endorsement to be applied to your license.

If you lose your Air Brake Certificate, we can issue you a replacement for $30. We require the following information:

• Your Full Name
• Driver’s License Number
• Phone Number
• When You Took the Course
• Who Paid For the Course

You can call the office or email this information to cded@camerondriver.com. The $30 replacement fee can be paid by credit card and we can mail it out to you if you provide your mailing address. Or can be paid in-person when you come to pick it up.

No. A driver’s medical is only required for a Class 1, 2 or 4 license.

In order to obtain a Class 1 license, you are required to have a clean Class 5 (non-GDL) driver’s license, a medical exam, Air Brake Endorsement, the Class 1 MELT course and Class 1 written test. All of these must be completed prior to purchasing your Road Test permit. The earlier these are completed in your training, the better. That way there won’t be anything keeping you from getting your Road Test permit when the time comes.

In order to obtain a Class 3 license, you are required to have a clean Class 5 (non-GDL) driver’s license, Air Brake Endorsement, and Class 3 written test. All of these must be completed prior to purchasing your Road Test permit. The earlier these are completed in your training, the better. That way there won’t be anything keeping you from getting your Road Test permit when the time comes.

If you have any unpaid fines, from either tickets or Maintenance, you will not be able to purchase a Road Test permit from the registry office. This could affect your driving lessons and road test schedule. Also, if you have not completed your Class1/3 written test, Air Brake written test, or Class 1 medical (if applicable) then you will not be able to purchase your Road Test permit. The earlier these are complete in your training, the better. That way there won’t be anything keeping you from getting your Road Test permit when the time comes.