Trans Industrial Safety Training

1A, 3A and 5G Driver Courses – What is The Difference?

Explaining Driver Licences Classes & Endorsements

There are a number of different drivers license classes and endorsements and it can at times be confusing. You should refer to SGI’s website for more information.

Class 1

Class 1 drivers license permits the licence holder to operate:

  •  power units and semi trailers, and trucks which have a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow where the gross weight of the towed unit(s) exceeds 4,600 kg
  • Motor vehicles in classes 2, 3, 4 and 5

Class 1 licenses do not permit the holder to operate:

  • Vehicles with air brakes, motorcycles or school buses without an appropriate endorsement(s)

Class 1 License Requirements

MINIMUM AGE – 18 years and not a novice driver
MEDICALLY FIT – See Medical requirements in the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook
ROAD TEST – Must take a road test in a Class 1 vehicle
KNOWLEDGE TESTS – Class 1 knowledge tests include: Class 1, 2, 3, 4, Basic and Sign

Class 2

Class 2 drivers license permits the licence holder to operate:

  • Class 2 vehicles – that is, buses having a seating capacity in excess of 24 passengers, while carrying a passenger or passengers
  • Motor vehicles in classes 3, 4 and 5
  • Class 1 vehicles as a learner with appropriate endorsement

Class 2 licenses do not permit the licence holder to operate:

  • Vehicles with air brakes, motorcycles or school buses without an appropriate endorsement(s)

Class 2 License Requirements

MINIMUM AGE – 18 years and not a novice driver
MEDICALLY FIT – See Medical requirements in the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook
ROAD TEST – Must take a road test in a Class 2 vehicle
KNOWLEDGE TESTS – Class 2 knowledge tests include: Class 2, 3, 4, Basic and Sign

Class 3

Class 3 drivers licence permits the licence holder to operate

  • Class 3 vehicles – that is, trucks with more than two axles, except trucks registered in Class F, and trucks with more than two axles which have a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow, except trucks registered in Class F, where the gross weight of the towed unit(s) does not exceed 4,600 kg
  • Motor vehicles in classes 4 and 5
  • Power units with more than two axles, when not towing a semi trailer
  • Class 1 or 2 vehicles as a learner with appropriate endorsement

Class 3 Licences do not permit the licence holder to operate:

  • Vehicles with air brakes1, motorcycles or school buses without an appropriate endorsement(s)

Class 3 License Requirements

MINIMUM AGE – 18 years and not a novice driver
MEDICALLY FIT – See Medical requirements in the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook
ROAD TEST – Must take a road test in a Class 3 vehicle
KNOWLEDGE TESTS – Class 3 knowledge tests include: Class 3, Class 4, Basic and Sign

Class 4

Class 4 Drivers License permits the licence holder to operate:

  • Class 4 vehicles – that is,
    • buses that have a seating capacity of not more than 24 passengers, when transporting passengers
    • vehicles registered in Class PT when transporting not more than 24 passengers for hire
    • vehicles registered in Class PB or PC
      • when transporting not more than 24 passengers for hire; and
      • when not used exclusively to transport passengers with a disability and any attendants to those passengers
    • ambulances when being used for hire
    • motor vehicles in Class 5

Class 4 Licences do not permit the licence holder to operate:

  • Vehicles with air brakes, motorcycles or school buses without an appropriate endorsement(s)

Class 4 License Requirements

MINIMUM AGE – 18 years and not a novice driver
MEDICALLY FIT – See Medical requirements in the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook
ROAD TEST – Must take a road test in a Class 4 or 5 vehicle
KNOWLEDGE TESTS – Class 4 knowledge tests include: Class 4, Basic and Sign

Certificate of Approval

If you operate a Class 4 vehicle to transport passengers, you must file a subsisting Certificate of Approval signed by the Chief of Police. If you operate a Class 4 vehicle to transport passengers, you must file a Certificate of Police Approval or a satisfactory Criminal Record Check. This approval can be withdrawn at any time and a T restriction can be added to restrict you from operating taxis for hire. You are not required to re-submit a new Certificate of Police Approval or Criminal Record Check each year.

Class 5

Class 5 drivers license permits the licence holder to operate:

  • Class 5 vehicles – that is, cars, vans2, two-axle trucks, two-axle vehicles having a trailer(s) or vehicle(s) in tow where the gross weight of the towed unit(s) does not exceed 4,600 kg, buses when not transporting passengers, three-axle motorhomes, taxis and ambulances when not used for hire
  • School buses when not carrying more than 15 students
  • Law enforcement vehicles when being used for law enforcement purposes
  • Three-wheeled vehicles (e.g., has a steering wheel, automotive seating and floor controls – not a three-wheeled motorcycle)
  • Two-axle power units, when not towing a semi trailer
  • Two-axle farm trucks towing vehicles which have a gross weight that exceeds 4,600 kg
  • Farm trucks with more than two axles
  • Vehicles registered in Class PB or PC when used exclusively to transport, for hire, not more than 24 passengers with a disability and any attendants to these passengers
  • Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 vehicles as a learner with appropriate Endorsement 1, 2, 3 or 4 (minimum age 18 and not a novice driver)

Class 5 licences do not permit the licence holder to operate:

  • Vehicles with air brakes3, motorcycles without an appropriate endorsement(s)

Requirements

ROAD TEST – Must hold a Class 7 licence for nine months
Must take a road test in a Class 5 vehicle
KNOWLEDGE TESTS – Class 5 knowledge tests include: Basic and Sign

A and G Endorsements

Air brakes A

If you operate a vehicle equipped with an air brake system, you must have the air brake Endorsement A specified on your licence. An air brake endorsement is not required when operating a Class 3 or 5 vehicle licensed as a farm truck.

Operation of trucks with air over hydraulic (hydraulic brakes with an assist) does not require an Endorsement A.

Requirements for A Endorsement:

  • Must pass a written air brake test. Consult the SGI Air Brake Manual for more information.
  • Must demonstrate how to adjust a manual slack adjuster on a brake model and tell the examiner the right way to adjust an automatic slack adjuster.
  • Must complete a practical demonstration on air brake equipment that you provide.

If your licence does not bear the Endorsement A, you may operate a motor vehicle equipped with air brakes as a learner while accompanied by a person whose licence has the Endorsement A, provided your licence permits you to operate that type of vehicle under normal conditions.

G Endorsement – Heavy trailer

Some travel and utility trailers have increased in size to a point where they qualify as Class 1 units. To pull a heavy trailer (utility and recreation) weighing more than 4,600 kg (10,000 lb.), including the load, you need a Class 1 licence or a heavy trailer G endorsement on a Class 2, 3, 4 or 5 licence. The heavy trailer G endorsement allows you to drive two-axle trucks towing heavy trailers (but not power units).

The 4,600 kg weight point is determined by weighing the trailer and its contents, and not the tow vehicle. For example, if a driver is pulling two trailers, a camper and a boat, the combined weight of both together will determine the class of licence required.

Requirements for G Endorsement – Heavy trailer

  • Must be at least 18 years of age and not a novice driver.
  • Must meet approved medical standards (see page 15).
  • Must meet approved vision standards.
  • Must pass written heavy trailer tests. Study materials include Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook and chapters 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9 from this book.
  • Must complete a circle check.
  • Must pass a road test in a truck towing a trailer weighing 4,600 kg (10,000 lb.).

Drivers who wish to drive only when accompanied by a driver with a Class 1 licence or a heavy trailer G Endorsement may obtain heavy trailer learner’s privileges by completing only the medical and written portions of the testing. If you want to obtain learner’s privileges for all Class 1 vehicles, you would need to pass all seven written tests and not just the ones for heavy trailer.

Note: There are other G Endorsements that indicate additional driving privileges, which will be shown on a detail authority card.