There are 12 different classes of driver's licence in Québec. Each one authorizes its holder to drive a specific category of road vehicle.
Class 1 – Heavy vehicle combinations
A Class 1 licence authorizes its holder to drive a combination of vehicles, i.e.:
a double-axleA crosspiece, located under a vehicle, to which are attached the wheels that support the vehicle.road tractorA motor vehicle that has no cargo space and that is permanently equipped with a fifth wheel. with a net weightWeight of the vehicle and the equipment permanently attached to it, excluding the weight of its load. of 4,500 kg or more, equipped with a fifth wheel, having no cargo space and hauling one or more trailersA road vehicle that is designed to be pulled by another vehicle, whether or not it maintains a horizontal position without outside support. or semi-trailersA road vehicle the front of which rests on the fifth wheel of the vehicle pulling it.
a road tractor with 3 axles or more equipped with a fifth wheel, having no cargo space and hauling a trailer or one or more semi-trailers
a truckRoad vehicle with two axles and a net weight over 3,000 kg manufactured exclusively to transport goods or equipment to which it is permanently affixed or to transport this equipment or goods. covered by Class 3 hauling a trailer or semi-trailer whose net weight is 4,500 kg or more and which is only used to transport equipment, tools or furnishings as part of its permanent equipment
a truck covered by Class 3 hauling any trailer or semi-trailer other than those described above, with a net weight of 2,000 kg or more
Class 1 also authorizes its holder to operate all other types of road vehicles, except for:
motorcycles (Classes 6A, 6B, 6C and 6E)
A Class 1 licence can bear the following endorsements:
F – To drive a heavy vehicle equipped with an air brake system
M – To drive a heavy vehicle equipped with a manual transmission
a truckRoad vehicle with two axles and a net weight over 3,000 kg manufactured exclusively to transport goods or equipment to which it is permanently affixed or to transport this equipment or goods. with 2 axles and whose net weight of 4,500 kg or more
a truck with 3 or more axles
such a truck that is hauling:
a trailer or semi-trailer whose net weight is less than 2,000 kg
a trailer or semi-trailer and which is only used to transport equipment, tools or furnishings as part of its permanent equipment, and whose net weight is greater than 2,000 kg but less than 4,500 kg
Class 3 also authorizes its holder to operate all other types of road vehicles, except for:
heavy vehicle combinations (Class 1)
buses designed to transport more than 24 passengers (Class 2)
motorcycles (Classes 6A, 6B, 6C and 6E)
A Class 3 licence can bear the following endorsements:
F – To drive a truck equipped with an air brake system
M – To drive a truck equipped with a manual transmission
A Class 4A licence authorizes its holder to drive:
an ambulance
a police vehicle
a fire department vehicle
A Class 4A licence also authorizes its holder to drive:
a bus designed to transport 24 passengers or less (Class 4B)
a passenger vehicleVehicle with 2 axles and whose net weight is under 4,500 kg. (Class 5)
a moped or scooterA 2- or 3-wheel passenger vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cc and an automatic transmission. (Class 6D)
Class 4B – Buses and minibuses with a seating capacity of 24 passengers or less
A Class 4B licence authorizes its holder to drive:
a bus or minibus designed to transport 24 passengers or less
A Class 4B licence also authorizes its holder to drive:
a passenger vehicleVehicle with 2 axles and whose net weight is under 4,500 kg. (Class 5)
a moped or scooterA 2- or 3-wheel passenger vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cc and an automatic transmission. (Class 6D)
a tractor (Class 8)
If you hold a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4A licence…
You do not require a Class 4B licence to drive a bus designed to transport 24 passengers or less.
an automobile, that is, a vehicle having 2 axlesA crosspiece, located under a vehicle, to which are attached the wheels that support the vehicle. and a net weightWeight of the vehicle and the equipment permanently attached to it, excluding the weight of its load. of less than 4,500 kg
a motor homeA motor vehicle permanently converted into living quarters., also known as a recreational vehicle (RV)
a tool vehicleA road vehicle, other than a vehicle mounted on a truck chassis, designed to perform a task and having a workstation integrated into the cab. A truck chassis is a frame fitted with the mechanical components found on a vehicle made for the transportation of passengers, freight or equipment., such as a grader or loader
a service vehicleA vehicle used to supply, repair or tow road vehicles., such as a tow truck
A Class 5 licence also authorizes its holder to drive:
a moped or scooterA 2- or 3-wheel passenger vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cc and an automatic transmission. (Class 6D)
A Class 6A licence authorizes its holder to drive:
any motorcyclePassenger vehicle, other than a power-assisted bicycle, having two or three wheels that has at least one characteristic different from the characteristics of a moped.
A Class 6B licence authorizes its holder to drive:
a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of 400 cc or less
A Class 6C licence authorizes its holder to drive:
a motorcycle with a cylinder capacity of 125 cc or less
A Class 6A, 6B or 6C licence also authorizes its holder to drive:
a moped or scooterA 2- or 3-wheel passenger vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a gasoline-powered engine with a cylinder capacity of no more than 50 cc and an automatic transmission. (Class 6D)
a three-wheeled motorcycleA motorcycle not equipped with a sidecar that is designed so that the 3 wheels remain in contact with the ground when operated. The wheels remain perpendicular to the road in curves. It is equipped with seats that occupants must straddle. Its frame does not partially or completely enclose the driver and passenger, except the part of the vehicle in front of the driver and the seat backrest. (Class 6E)
A Class 6D licence only authorizes its holder to drive:
a moped or scooter, that is:
a vehicle equipped with an electric motor or a motor having a cylinder capacity of not more than 50 cc with an automatic transmission and having a maximum speed of 70 km/h.
A Class 6E licence only authorizes its holder to drive:
a 3-wheel motorcycleA motorcycle not equipped with a sidecar that is designed so that the 3 wheels remain in contact with the ground when operated. The wheels remain perpendicular to the road in curves. It is equipped with seats that occupants must straddle. Its frame does not partially or completely enclose the driver and passenger, except the part of the vehicle in front of the driver and the seat backrest.
To obtain a Class 6E licence, you must hold a Class 5 (passenger vehicle) licence and complete a one-day training course. Holders of a Class 6A, 6B or 6C (motorcycle) licence are also authorized to operate a 3-wheel motorcycle.
