Bus With a Seating Capacity of More than 24 Passengers (Class 2)
ChangeTo obtain a Class 2 licence to drive a bus with a seating capacity of more than 24 passengers, you must have held a valid Class 5 driver's licence for at least 2 years, have a good driving record, be in good health and pass a knowledge test and 2 road tests.
A Class 2 licence authorizes you to drive a bus that is designed to carry more than 24 passengers, as well as any other class of vehicle, except:
While you are taking the steps to obtain a Class 2 licence, you can go through the procedure to obtain:
To carry out school transportation using a bus with a seating capacity of more than 24 passengers, you must also hold a certificate of competence, which you can obtain upon completing a course offered at either of the two following centres:
Centre de formation en transport de Charlesbourg (website in French only)
700, rue de l'Argon
Québec (Québec) G2N 2G5
Telephone: 418-634-5580
Centre de formation du transport routier de Saint-Jérôme (website in French only)
17000, rue Aubin
Mirabel (Québec) J7J 1B1
Telephone: 450-435-0167
Toll free: 1-877-435-0167
The first step in obtaining a Class 2 licence is to have your eyesight tested and provide us with a medical examination report so that we can ensure that your state of health meets the requirements set out in the Regulation respecting the health of drivers. Two options are available:
In both cases, you must return the form via SAAQclic, by mail or bring it to one of our service outlets. After we have analyzed the report, we will inform you of our decision regarding your eligibility to obtain a Class 2 licence.
We recommend that you study the following publications:
They are available for purchase from Publications du Québec and in bookstores.
Passing the knowledge test allows you to obtain a Class 2 learner's licence. This licence authorizes you to drive on the road with an accompanying driverPerson who has held for at least 2 years a valid licence of an appropriate class and who is able to provide the learner with help and advice..
This test assesses:
Distractions, blind spots, driver fatigue or failure to wear a seat belt are some examples of hazards that you may experience when driving a heavy vehicle. All these subjects and more are discussed in the Heavy Vehicles section.
Please note that from now on knowledge and road test appointments are made on SAAQclic.
This means that if you wish to make, modify, cancel or check an appointment for a knowledge test, you must log in to SAAQclic. For more information about creating your Government Authentication Service account, please refer to the section on SAAQclic in our FAQ.
1-800-361-7620
Step 1 – Go to the service outlet where you scheduled your appointment for the test and bring:
Step 2 – Pay the fees for:
At our service outlets, we accept payment:
Payment by credit card is not accepted.
The passing mark is 75%.
The only material you are allowed to use during the test is a dictionary that does not contain any illustrations, and the material provided by the SAAQ. Any other documents and all electronic devices are prohibited during the test (“cheat sheets,” notes, cell phones, smart watches, etc.). Having any prohibited material or electronic devices with you at the test, regardless of whether or not you actually use them, or trying in any way to contact someone or obtain outside assistance, will be considered cheating. Anyone found cheating will automatically fail the test and will have to wait at least 56 days before being allowed to take the test again. If it’s not the first time that person has been caught cheating, that person will have to wait at least 90 days.
You must wait at least 7 days before being allowed to take the test again. You will have to make another appointment and pay the test fees again.
Once you have obtained your learner's licence, you will have to practise your skills to master:
To register for the road tests, you must have held a Class 2 learner's licence for at least:
If you meet any of the first 3 requirements, the one-month period may be replaced by a course that includes at least 20 hours of driving on a public road with a Class 2 vehicle.
Make sure the course is authorized by the SAAQ. You can check the safety rating of heavy vehicle owners and operators on the website of the Commission des transports du Québec.
When you practise on the road, you must always have an accompanying riderPerson who has held for at least 2 years a valid licence of an appropriate class and who is able to provide the learner with help and advice. with you.
If the vehicle is equipped with an air brake system—F endorsement—or a manual transmission—M endorsement, your accompanying rider’s driver’s licence must include these endorsements.
Given that driving a heavy vehicle is a complex task, you should drive as often as possible, on different roads, both day and night, and in a variety of weather conditions.
Before getting behind the wheel, drivers must make sure that a circle check of their vehicle was completed within the previous 24 hours. If this is not the case, a new circle check must be performed. Through practice, you will develop an efficient inspection technique that will allow you to check the vehicle's compliance and increase road safety.
You must also comply with the other obligations of heavy vehicle drivers, such as load securement standards and the hours of driving and off-duty time.
Abiding by the hours of driving and off-duty time reduces the risk of driver fatigue. Your lifestyle also plays a major role. The North American Fatigue Management Program can provide valuable assistance.
Once you have completed the practical learning period, you can register for the 2 road tests.
Please note that using a portable electronic device (phone, watch, etc.) to record images during the circle check test or heavy vehicle road test is prohibited. If you fail to respect this rule, you will immediately fail the test.
This test covers the mechanical components that all drivers must inspect when carrying out a circle check before using a heavy vehicle.
During the 15-minute test, you must describe everything you are doing, as well as the defects you are looking for, to your examiner. You must carry out your inspection safely and efficiently.
If you want to drive a heavy vehicle equipped with an air brake system—F endorsement—or a manual transmission—M endorsement, you must pass the road tests with a vehicle that is equipped accordingly.
To make, modify, cancel or check a road test, you must log in to SAAQclic. For more information about creating your Government Authentication Service account and logging in to SAAQclic, please refer to the section of the FAQ that deals with SAAQclic.
Please note that from now on you must use SAAQclic to make an appointment for a knowledge or road test.
Vehicle used for the road tests
You must report to the road tests with a vehicle that:
During the test, you will not be allowed to:
If the vehicle fails to meet our requirements
You will not be allowed to take the tests.
You must cancel at least 48 hours in advance, or you will be charged a $24.70 fee.
Step 1 – Go to the service outlet with which you scheduled your appointment for the test, and bring:
Step 2 – Pay the fees for:
At our service outlets, we accept payment:
Payment by credit card is not accepted.
The passing marks are:
You must wait at least 7 days before being allowed to take the test again. You will have to make another appointment.
You will be required to have carried out a circle check before reporting to your test.
You will be asked to provide the circle check report for the current day.
Last update: March 22, 2022
