Modes of Transportation

Fifteen-Passenger Vans: What the Law Says

To drive a 15-passenger van, you must hold a Class 4B driver's licence. 

In brief

A 15-passenger van is:

  • a large light-duty vehicle with some characteristics of a heavy duty vehicle. It usually has 5 rows of seats and can transport up to 15 or 16 people, including the driver.

School transportation offered for extracurricular activities

When providing transportation for extracurricular activities, using a minibus designed to carry 12 to 15 passengers and equipped with seat belts or a multifunction school activity bus is also permitted. These vehicles and their drivers are subject to specific rules set out in the Regulation.

Note that transporting school children between school and home using these types of vehicles is strictly prohibited.

For more details, consult the website of the Ministère des Transports.

Driver's licence – Class 4B (small bus seating 24 or fewer passengers, and minibus)

To drive a 15-passenger van, you must hold a Class 4B driver's licence, which allows you to drive small buses seating 24 or fewer passengers, as well as minibuses.

Registration – “A” licence plate (small bus seating 24 or fewer passengers, and minibus)

Like buses and minibuses, 15-passenger vans must have an “A” licence plate.

Seat belts mandatory for all passengers

Wearing your seat belt is mandatory in a 15-passenger van. There are as many seat belts as there are seats.

If small children are on board, child safety seats must be used.

Using 15-passenger vans for commercial purposes

Fifteen-passenger vans used for commercial purposes are subject, among other things, to the regulations governing driving and off-duty time, mechanical inspections and pre-trip inspections.

For more information, see the Buses and Minibuses section.

Last update: June  2, 2022