Truck Driver's Licence (Class 3)

Driving record

• You must have fewer than four demerit points entered in your record.
• Your driver's licence must not have been suspended or revoked in the previous two years as a result of an accumulation of demerit points or a driving-related Criminal Code offence.

If a decision rendered by the Commission des transports du Québec (CTQ) prohibits you from driving heavy vehicles within the meaning of the Act respecting owners, operators and drivers of heavy vehicles, you are not eligible for a Class 3 licence. 

Driving experience

• You must have accumulated two years of experience as a holder of a Class 5 (passenger vehicle) driver's licence (including experience acquired with a Class 5 probationary licence).

The first step in obtaining a Class 3 licence is to send us a medical examination report that includes an eye exam so that we can ensure that your state of health meets the requirements set out in the Regulation respecting the health of drivers. Here are the steps to follow:

• Download the Report on a Person's State of Health - Driver's Licence (PDF, 287.0 KB)⁠
  • Write “Adding a class” at the top of the form for your application to be processed within the appropriate timeframe.
  • Have the form filled out by a physician or a specialized nurse practitioner and ensure that the section regarding visual disorders is duly completed. Otherwise, you will have to have your vision tested by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
  • Upload the form via SAAQclic or mail it to us. After we have analyzed the report, we will inform you of our decision regarding your eligibility to obtain a Class 3 licence. You will receive our decision via SAAQclic or in the mail.

Please note that when you go to one of our service centres to take the knowledge test, you will be required to undergo a vision test.

To obtain a Class 3 driver's licence, you must have the required knowledge and skills.

To prepare for the tests

We recommend that you study the following publications:

• Driver’s Handbook (PDF, 22.9 MB)⁠
• Driving a Heavy Vehicle (PDF, 19.5 MB)⁠

Passing the knowledge test allows you to obtain a Class 3 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 Québec licence of an appropriate class and who is able to provide the learner with help and advice..

The Class 3 knowledge test assesses:

• your understanding of traffic rules and the skills required to handle a heavy vehicle
• your knowledge of circle check standards
• your knowledge of the standards for hours of driving and off-duty time
• your knowledge of safe behaviours to adopt 

Taking the knowledge test

To obtain the F endorsement

You may make an appointment at the same time for the F endorsement (air brake system) knowledge test. If you fail the test, you will have to wait at least seven days before taking it again. However, if you are found cheating, you will have to wait at least 56 days before being allowed to take the test again. If it’s not the first time you have been caught cheating, you will have to wait at least 90 days.

If you want to obtain the F endorsement and do not make an appointment when scheduling your Class 3 knowledge test: 

• you will have to schedule another appointment for the F endorsement knowledge test before you can take the Class 3 road tests.
• additional fees will apply.

 

To make an appointment:

1-800-361-7620

On the day of the test

Step 1 – Go to the service outlet where you scheduled your appointment for the test and bring:

• your driver’s licence.

Step 2 – Pay the fees for:

• the knowledge test: $13.50
• the learner’s licence: $88.33 (valid for 18 months), if you pass the test

Payment options

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

• in cash
• by debit card (not available at some service outlets)
• by one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
• by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Passing mark

The passing mark is 75%.

If you fail the knowledge test

You must wait at least seven 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:

• the circle check
• various driving manoeuvres
• behaviours to adopt in certain driving situations

Mandatory minimum on-road learning period

To register for the road tests, you must have held a Class 3 learner's licence for at least:

• three months
• OR
• one month, if you meet any of the following requirements:
  • you are 25 years of age or older
  • you have accumulated 60 months of experience as a holder of a Class 5 (passenger vehicle) driver's licence
  • you are registered in the Trucking vocational studies program which leads to the Diploma of Vocational Studies issued by the Ministère de l’Éducation and have successfully completed all mandatory sections of the program required to drive on the road without an accompanying driver
  • you have successfully completed the straight-body truck driving program (Conduite de camions porteurs) offered by the Centre de formation en transport de Charlesbourg or the Centre de formation du transport routier de Saint-Jérôme

Practical experience with an accompanying driver

When you practise on the road, you must always have an accompanying driverPerson who has held for at least 2 years a valid Québec 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,the licence of your accompanying driver 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, during the daytime and at night, and in a variety of weather conditions.

Importance of the circle check 

Before getting behind the wheel, drivers must make sure that a circle check of their vehicle was completed within the previous 24 hours. Through practice, you will develop an efficient inspection technique that will allow you to check the vehicle's compliance and increase road safety.

Other requirements

If you hold a learner’s licence, you are subject to the zero-alcohol rule.

You must also comply with the other obligations for driving a heavy vehicle, such as load securement standards and the hours of driving and off-duty time.

Once you have completed the practical learning period, you can make an appointment for the two road tests.

Please note that using a portable electronic device (phone, watch, etc.) to record images during the circle check test or Class 3 road test is prohibited. If you fail to respect this rule, you will immediately fail the test.

Circle check 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.

Class 3 road test

The Class 3 road test assesses

• your driving skills in regard to commonly executed manoeuvres
• your observance of traffic rules and use of recognized driving techniques
• your ability to back up
• your driving behaviour
• your ability to execute the double-clutch technique, if you are driving a vehicle with a manual transmission (M endorsement)

Obtaining the F and M endorsements

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 applicable road test with a vehicle that is equipped accordingly.

Taking the tests

If you cannot make it to the tests

You must cancel at least 48 hours in advance, or you will be charged a $26.75 fee.

On the day of the tests

Step 1 – Go to the service outlet where you scheduled your appointment for the tests, and bring your driver’s licence

Step 2 – Pay the fees for:

• the circle check test: $13.50
• the Class 3 road test: $66.50
• the addition of a class to your driver’s licence: $18.50, including the photo fee

Payment options

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

• in cash
• by debit card (not available at some service outlets)
• by one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
• by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Passing mark

• The passing mark for the circle check test and Class 3 road test is 75%
• The passing mark for the F and M endorsement tests is also 75% 

If you fail any of the tests

You must wait at least seven days before being allowed to retake a test. You will have to make another appointment and pay the test fee again.

If you only have to retake the Class 3 road test

You will have to carry out a circle check before reporting to your test. 

You will be asked to provide the circle check report for that day.