Quebec has a system of driver's license classes that correspond to different vehicle types and driver needs. So it's crucial for every future driver to be familiar with these classes, in order to choose the one that's right for his or her driving project.
As the leading driving school in Quebec, Tecnic invites you to learn more about Quebec's driver's license classes!
Driver's License Classes in Quebec
There are eight driver's license classes in Quebec:
- Class 1: Heavy vehicles (tractor-trailers, semi-trailers)
- Class 2: Buses
- Class 3: Straight trucks
- Class 4A, 4B, 4C: Emergency vehicles, minibuses, cabs
- Class 5: Passenger vehicles (cars, vans)
- Class 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E: Motorcycles and mopeds
- Class 7: Learner's permits
- Class 8: Agricultural tractors
Each of these classes imposes precise conditions concerning minimum age, theory and practical tests to be passed, as well as, in some cases, regular medical examinations.
Class 1 : Heavy Vehicle License
A Class 1 license is required to drive heavy vehicles such as:
- A road tractor with two axles (or more) pulling trailers or semi-trailers weighing more than 4,500 kg.
- A Class 3 truck with a trailer weighing 4,500 kg or more, used to transport equipment.
- A Class 3 truck towing a trailer weighing over 2,000 kg for purposes other than equipment.
This license therefore requires extensive knowledge of road vehicle operation.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Requirements:
- Hold a class 5 license for at least 2 or 3 years
- Have a good driving record
- Pass the SAAQ medical and vision tests
- Pass the theory test and the 2 practical tests for the class 1 license.
- Important details: The class 1 driver's license also allows you to drive all other types of vehicles, except those in classes 6A, 6B, 6C and 6E (motorcycles).
Class 2: Bus License
A Class 2 license is required to drive buses that can carry more than 24 passengers, such as school buses and transit buses.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Requirements:
- Hold a class 5 license for at least 2 years
- Have a good driving record
- Pass SAAQ medical and vision tests
- Pass the theory test and the 2 practical tests for the class 2 license.
- Important details: The class 2 driver's license also authorizes the driving of class 3, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6D, and 8 vehicles.
Class 3: Straight Truck License
A class 3 license is required to drive straight trucks such as:
- A truck with 3 axles, or a truck with 2 axles and a net weight of over 4,500 kg.
- A truck towing a semi-trailer with a net mass of less than 2,000 kg, or less than 4,500 kg if the trailer contains only the equipment, tools or furnishings with which it is permanently equipped.
- Minimum age: 18 years olds
- Requirements:
- Hold a class 5 license for at least 2 years
- Have a good driving record
- Pass SAAQ medical and vision tests
- Pass the theory test and the 2 practical tests for the class 3 license.
- Important details: The class 3 driver's license also allows you to drive class 4A, 4B, 4C, 5, 6D and 8 vehicles.
Class 4A: Emergency Vehicles
The Class 4A license is designed for drivers of emergency vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks and police cars.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Requirements:
- Hold a class 5 license
- Pass SAAQ medical and vision tests
- Pass the theory test for a class 4A license.
- Important details: The class 4A driver's license also allows you to drive class 4B, 4C, 5, 6D and 8 vehicles.
Class 4B: Minibuses
The class 4B license allows you to drive minibuses that can carry between 9 and 24 passengers.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Requirements:
- Hold a class 5 license or probationary license for at least 12 months.
- Pass the SAAQ medical and vision tests
- Pass the theory test for a class 4B license.
- Important details: The class 4B driver's license also allows you to drive class 4C, 5, 6D and 8 vehicles.
Class 4C: Taxis
The class 4C license is intended for cab drivers or for anyone wishing to engage in paid passenger transport activities, such as Uber.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Requirements:
- Hold a class 5 license
- Pass a medical examination
- Pass the theory test for a class 4C license.
- Important details: The class 4C driving license also allows you to drive class 5, 6D and 8 vehicles, as well as vehicles adapted for people with reduced mobility.
Class 5: Passenger Vehicle License
The Class 5 license is undoubtedly the most common in Quebec. More commonly known as a “permis de conduire”, or automobile permit, it allows you to drive a wide range of vehicles, including :
- Cars
- Pick-up trucks
- Light commercial vehicles
- Service vehicles
- Tool vehicles
- Motor homes
Among the requirements for obtaining a driver's license are the following:
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Requirements:
- Take a driving course at a school recognized by the SAAQ
- Pass the SAAQ knowledge test
- Pass the SAAQ road test
- Important details: The Class 5 driver's license also allows you to drive Class 6D and 8 vehicles.
Class 6A: All Motorcycles
The Class 6A license, also known as the motorcycle license, allows you to drive any motorcycle, with no restrictions on cubic capacity. It's the most comprehensive license for motorcycle enthusiasts.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Requirements:
- Take a motorcycle driving course at a school recognized by the SAAQ
- Pass the theory test and the 2 practical tests for the class 6A license.
- Important details: The Class 6A license also allows you to drive Class 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E and 8 vehicles. Finally, a period of supervised learning is required before obtaining the full license.
Class 6B: Motorcycles 400 cm³ or Less
The Class 6B license is a limited version of the motorcycle license. It allows you to drive only motorcycles with a displacement of 400 cm³ or less. This license is often chosen by beginners or those who prefer to drive smaller motorcycles.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Requirements:
- Take a driving course at a school recognized by the SAAQ
- Pass the theory test and the 2 practical tests for the class 6B license.
- Important details: The Class 6B license also allows you to drive Class 6C, 6D, 6E and 8 vehicles.
Class 6C : Motorcycles 125 cm³ or Less
The Class 6C license allows you to drive only motorcycles with a displacement of 125 cm³ or less.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Requirements:
- Take a driving course at a school recognized by the SAAQ
- Pass the theory test and the 2 practical tests for the class 6C license.
- Important details: The class 6C driver's license also allows you to drive class 6D, 6E and 8 vehicles.
Class 6D: Mopeds
The class 6D license is specifically for mopeds. It allows the driving of mopeds with a cubic capacity of less than 50 cm³, often used in urban environments.
- Minimum age: 14 years old
- Requirements:
- Take a moped driving course at a school recognized by the SAAQ
- Pass the SAAQ medical examination and vision test.
Class 6E : Three-wheeled Motorcycles
The class 6E license allows you to drive three-wheeled motorcycles, also known as spyders.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Requirements:
- Hold a class 5 license
- Take a three-wheel driving course at a school recognized by the SAAQ
Class 7 : Learner's Permit
Although not a license in its own right, the Class 7 license is the probationary license, intended for new drivers. It allows the learner to drive under the supervision of an experienced driver.
Important: The probationary license is issued for a period of 24 months, during which the holder must not accumulate more than 4 demerit points.
If this threshold is exceeded, the driver’s license will be suspended.
Class 8: Agricultural Tractors
The Class 8 license is a specialized license for farm tractors and other agricultural equipment.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Requirements:
- Pass the SAAQ theory test.
Upgrade to the Next Class with Tecnic!
It's not so easy to find your way around and choose the right class of license... Fortunately, Tecnic is there to support you every step of the way towards obtaining the driver's license you need. Whether it's a car, truck, motorcycle or scooter, our instructors are dedicated to providing you with the driving lessons and expertise you need to fully master your vehicle.
Register online today, or find the Tecnic driving school nearest you, and get the license you need!
