What is a Class 1 Licence in Alberta? 

A Class 1 licence in Alberta is a driver’s licence that allows you to drive any motor vehicle or combination ofvehicles other than a motorcycle. You can drive a motorcycle only for learning purposes. To drive a motorcycle legally you need a Class 6 licence. 

What kind of vehicles can you drive with a Class 1 Licence? 

With your Class 1 licence in Alberta you can drive almost any type of vehicle: 

• any single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles 
• any motor vehicle with 3 or more axles that is towing a trailer with one or more axles 

The above-mentioned vehicles (depending on the type of vehicle) can sometimes referred to as semi-trucks, semi-trailers, 18-wheelers, truck tractors or tractor trailers.

You can also drive: 

• school bus (if you obtain your “S” endorsement) 
• transit bus 
• motor coach 
• ambulance
• taxi

You can drive a school bus without the S endorsement if it is not directly related to transporting children to and from school. 

What is an axle?

An axle is a shaft on which two or more wheels revolve.

What is the difference between a Class 1 and a Class 3 licence in Alberta? 

A Class 1 licence let’s you drive your standard big rig, a truck with a large trailer attached to it, air brakes and all. You can also drive almost any other type of vehicle including buses. 

A Class 3 is more for single vehicles with 3 axles, like a dump truck or large fixed box truck. These can sometimes be referred to as tandem trucks. They typically have one axle in the front and two in the rear. This means you could drive the cab of a transport truck which is sometimes referred to as bobtailing. 

If the truck itself is equipped with air brakes you will need a Q endorsement on your Class 3 licence. You can pull a trailer provided it doesn’t require air brakes by law. This where you would need your Class 1 licence. 

What are endorsements? 

Endorsements in Alberta are letters that go beside your class of licence. There are many types of endorsements, usually relating to a restriction placed on your licence. Others grant extra privileges to drivers. You usually need to complete special courses in order to obtain these endorsements. 

What kind of endorsements can you get in Alberta? 

In Alberta, the relevant endorsements to truck driving are: 

• “Q” – Air Brakes 
• “S” – School Bus 
• “V” – Extended Length Vehicle Combinations 

“Q” – Air Brakes Endorsement 

Before you can do your Class 1 road test, you will need to get your air brakes endorsement. This is marked on your licence by a “Q”. You do not need an air brakes endorsement while you are learning to drive a vehicle with air brakes. 

The actual “Q” endorsement will not appear on your Class 1 licence. It will appear on all other licence classes that allow you to drive vehicles with air brakes. It will not appear on your Class 1 licence because in order to get a Class 1, you need to have completed your air brakes test so it is implied that if you have a Class 1 licence, you have the air brake endorsement. 

You must complete an air brakes course by an Alberta Transportation authorized organization. The course will be comprised of in-class and practical instruction. Upon completion of the course you will perform a practical test with the same organization. Upon successful completion of the practical test, they will give you a form to take to a Registry Agent office where you will write your knowledge test. 

What are the steps to get your Class 1 licence in Alberta? 

We have broken the whole process down into 7 easy steps so you can get an overview of how you can obtain your Class 1 Licence in Alberta: 

• Step 1: Ensure you meet the minimum requirements 
• Step 2: Sign up and attend school 
• Step 3: Take the knowledge tests 
• Step 4: Book and pay for road test via Provincial Online Scheduler 
• Step 5: Complete your medical test 
• Step 6: Complete your road test 
• Step 7: Exchange your license 

What is a Class 3 Licence in Alberta? 

A Class 3 licence in Alberta is a driver’s licence that allows you to drive large trucks, sometimes with air brakes. It is really all about the axles. If there are 3 or more axles you are looking at Class 3 licence or Class 1 or 2 depending on the vehicle. A Class 3 is a professional commercial operator’s licence that you would only get if you wanted a job in the driving industry. 

With a Class 3 Licence in Alberta you can drive: 

• any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 5 licence 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 airbrakes) 
• a Class 2 or 4 type vehicle without passengers (bus, taxi, ambulance) 
• a Class 1, 2 or 6 vehicles as a learner only 

You cannot drive a vehicle that: 

• can seat more than 15 people including the driver 
• transports passengers for hire

What kind of vehicles can you drive with a Class 3 Licence? 

With a Class 3 Licence, you can drive vehicles like: 

• pump trucks
• dump trucks 
• water trucks 
• vacuum trucks
• mixer (cement) truck
• large flat bed or tow trucks 
• tandem axle straight trucks 
• garbage and front-load trucks 
• lugger or roll-off trucks 
• larger road-rail vehicles 

With a Class 3 licence, you can get a job on the oilfields, with private contractors and cities or towns. 

You can also drive a smallbus, taxi or ambulance with no passengers as well as a transport cab. This might be helpful if you work in a yard or mechanic’s shop and need to test drive the vehicles. 

What is the difference between a Class 3 licence and a Class 1 licence in Alberta? 

The biggest difference between a Class 3 vs a Class 1 licence is the trailer. Though you can pull a trailer with a Class 3 licence, if it is equipped with air brakes that is where you need a Class 1. 

If the truck itself is equipped with air brakes you will need a Q endorsement on your Class 3 licence. Many Class 3 vehicles do have air brakes so we will show you how to obtain your air brake endorsement in Alberta too. 

If you want to drive a big-rig, 18-wheeler, tractor-trailer (pick a name) to transport goods across the province, country or even the border, you are looking for a Class 1 licence not a Class 3. 

A Class 3 is more for single vehicles with typically just 3 axles, sometimes referred to as tandem trucks. They typically have one axle in the front and two in the rear. This means you could drive the cab of a transport truck which is sometimes referred to as bobtailing. 

What are the steps to get your Class 3 licence in Alberta? 

We have broken the whole process down into 7 easy steps so you can get an overview of how you can obtain your Class 3 License in Alberta: 

• Step 1: Ensure you meet the minimum requirements 
• Step 2: Sign up and attend school 
• Step 3: Take the knowledge tests 
• Step 4: Book and pay for road test via Provincial Online Scheduler 
• Step 5: Complete your vision assessment 
• Step 6: Complete your road test 
• Step 7: Exchange your licence