Photo: Raysonho, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ontario uses letters for its driver’s licence classes: G (with G1 and G2 as the learner and novice levels) for cars, M for motorcycles, and A, B, C, D, E and F for trucks and buses. Almost every other province and territory uses numbers instead, with Class 5 as the regular car licence and Class 7 (or a lettered stage such as 5L) as the learner level. Whichever system you are in, the rule is the same: the class on your licence must match the vehicle you drive.
Ontario driver’s licence classes (A to M)
The MTO handbook says Ontario has 12 licence classes. The main ones:
| Class | What you can drive | Also covers |
|---|---|---|
| A | Any tractor-trailer combination | D, G |
| B | Any school purposes bus | C, D, E, F, G |
| C | Any regular bus | D, F, G |
| D | Motor vehicle over 11,000 kg gross weight, or a truck or combination where the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kg | G |
| E | School purposes bus, maximum 24 passengers | F, G |
| F | Regular bus, maximum 24 passengers, and ambulances | G |
| G | Any car, van or small truck, or a vehicle and towed vehicle up to 11,000 kg where the towed vehicle is not over 4,600 kg | Not applicable |
| G1 | Level One: Class G vehicles with an accompanying fully licensed driver with at least four years’ experience, plus other conditions | Not applicable |
| G2 | Level Two: Class G vehicles without an accompanying driver, with conditions | Not applicable |
| M | Any motorcycle, including motor tricycles, limited-speed motorcycles and mopeds | G under G1 conditions |
| M1, M2 | Graduated motorcycle levels | M2: G under G1 conditions |
Ontario also has an M with L condition (limited-speed motorcycle or moped only), M with M condition (motor tricycle only), and a Class D with RV restriction (“Q”) for recreational vehicles of any weight.
Ontario endorsements
- Z endorsement: needed to drive any vehicle with air brakes.
- RV (“T”) endorsement: lets Class E, F and G holders drive a recreational vehicle up to 14,000 kg.
What licence does an Ontario car learner need?
A G1. You then move to G2 and finally full G. Ontario requires a Class G before you can be licensed for any other class; the only exception is a motorcycle (Class M). See learning to drive in Ontario for the full G1, G2 and G path.
Numbered licence classes in the rest of Canada
Most provinces and territories use classes 1 to 7, sometimes with 8 and 9. The pattern is broadly similar:
| Class | General meaning |
|---|---|
| 1 | Semi-trailer trucks (tractor-trailers) |
| 2 | Large buses, including school buses |
| 3 | Large trucks (three or more axles) |
| 4 | Small buses, taxis and ambulances |
| 5 | Cars, vans and light trucks: the regular licence |
| 6 | Motorcycles |
| 7 | Learner stage in many provinces |
Exact weights, seat counts and age limits vary. Always check your provincial handbook. Two examples below show how much detail can differ.
PEI licence classes 1 to 9
| Class | Vehicles | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Truck-tractor and trailer combinations with air brakes (not a bus with passengers). Also allows classes 3, 5, 8 and 9. | 19 |
| 2 | Buses carrying more than 24 passengers, including school buses. Also allows classes 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9. | 19 (21 for a school bus) |
| 3 | Trucks over 14,000 kg gross mass, special mobile equipment and gooseneck trailers. Also allows 5, 8 and 9. | 19 |
| 4 | Ambulances, taxis and buses carrying 24 passengers or fewer. Also allows 5, 8 and 9. | 19 |
| 5 | Vehicles up to 14,000 kg, towing up to 4,500 kg (not motorcycles or buses with passengers). Also allows 8 and 9. | 17 |
| 6 | Motorcycles. Also allows class 8. | 17 |
| 7 | Instruction permit: classes 5, 6, 8 and 9 with an accompanying licensed driver | 16 |
| 8 | Mopeds (pedal-assisted) | 17 |
| 9 | Farm tractors (no road test required) | 14 |
PEI’s handbook says drivers in the Graduated Driver Licensing program must exit Stage 3 before they can get a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence. See learning to drive in PEI.
Northwest Territories licence classes 1 to 7
| Class | Vehicles | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Any vehicle or combination except a motorcycle | 18 |
| 2 | Buses of any seating capacity, plus classes 3, 4 and 5 | 18 |
| 3 | Single vehicles with three or more axles; combinations where the towed vehicles do not exceed 4,500 kg; plus classes 4 and 5 | 18 |
| 4 | Buses up to 24 passengers, taxis, ambulances, plus class 5 | 18 |
| 5 | Two-axle vehicles (not a motorcycle, bus, taxi or ambulance), towing up to 4,500 kg, recreational vehicles, mopeds | 16 |
| 6 | Motorcycles | 16 |
| 7 | Learner’s licence for Class 5 vehicles (and motorcycles, for learning) | 15 |
The NWT uses 5P and 6P for the probationary stage. An air brake “Q” endorsement is needed for vehicles with air brakes. See learning to drive in the NWT.
Can you upgrade to a commercial class while on GDL?
Usually not. By jurisdiction:
| Jurisdiction | Rule |
|---|---|
| Ontario | You need a Class G before any other class (except M). |
| PEI | Must exit Stage 3 of GDL before Class 1, 2, 3 or 4. |
| NWT | A probationary driver cannot upgrade to Class 1, 2, 3 or 4, and cannot apply for those classes as a probationary driver. |
| Saskatchewan | Novice drivers cannot obtain a commercial driver’s licence or school bus endorsement. |
| Manitoba | A minimum Class 5I (Intermediate) or 5A (Authorized Instruction) licence is needed to get authorized instruction in classes 2 to 4. Class 1 instruction needs a full Class 5F, and a Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) course before the Class 1 road test. |
Other provinces: check your provincial handbook or licensing office before planning a commercial career around your licence dates.
Learner class names by province
- Ontario: G1
- British Columbia: Class 7L (learner), then Class 7 (novice), then Class 5
- Manitoba: Class 5L (learner), 5I (intermediate), 5F (full)
- PEI and NWT: Class 7
The Canadian driving licence glossary explains every code. Towing a trailer can push you into a different class: see towing a trailer as a new driver. For the full picture, start with learning to drive in Canada.
Sources
- Government of Ontario, “The Official MTO Driver’s Handbook: Getting your driver’s licence” (ontario.ca)
- Government of Prince Edward Island, “Driver’s Handbook” (princeedwardisland.ca)
- Government of the Northwest Territories, “NWT Driver’s Manual: Basic” (idmv.inf.gov.nt.ca)
- SGI, “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook” (sgi.sk.ca)
- Manitoba Public Insurance, “Class Licence System” (apps.mpi.mb.ca)
- ICBC, “Learn to Drive Smart” (icbc.com)