A Class 1 License Saskatchewan Guide to Training and Practice Tests

Ever thought about driving a truck for a living? There are lots of great opportunities out there if you have a Class 1 license in Saskatchewan and it is pretty easy to understand how to get started.

Let’s dig into the requirements for a Class 1 License in Saskatchewan, discuss how much it costs and learn more about the licensing process which is administered by Saskatchewan Government Insurance (“SGI”).

The process for getting a Class 3 license in Saskatchewan is pretty similar, so we will discuss what the differences are between the trucking licenses in Saskatchewan.

We also have all the driving manuals, location finders and contact information to guide you through the whole process, including our How to Get a Saskatchewan Class 1 License in 5 Easy Steps.

What is a Class 1 License in Saskatchewan?
How do I get a Class 1 License in Saskatchewan?
Class 1 License Costs in Saskatchewan
Class 1 License Saskatchewan Practice Tests
Saskatchewan Class 1 Contacts and Resources

What is a Class 1 License in Saskatchewan?

A Class 1 License is the top rung of drivers’ licenses in Saskatchewan. Primarily, it is to allow you to drive semi-trailer trucks, however it also permits you to drive vehicles in other license classes. According to the SGI, a Class 1 license in Saskatchewan allows you to drive:

Power units and semi trailers, and trucks with 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. These include vehicles like buses, large industrial vehicles like dump trucks, cars for personal use, ambulances, and private transportation vehicles for hire like taxis or companies like Uber.

If you want to drive these vehicles you need either a special endorsement or a separate type of license:

School buses
Motorcycles
Vehicles equipped with air brakes.

Class 1 vehicles are almost always equipped with air brakes so you will need to obtain your A (air brakes) endorsement as well. Most often you will see the words Class 1A license in Saskatchewan because the Class 1 license and A endorsement are typically obtained together.

Class 3 License Saskatchewan

If you are interested in driving trucks for a living but aren’t sure you want to head out on the open road, especially for long-hauls, you could also consider getting your Class 3 license.

A Class 3 license in Saskatchewan allows you to drive heavy industrial trucks with more than two axles. These include vehicles like dump trucks, large straight-body box trucks, mixers, roll-off trucks and more. With a Class 3 you can also drive Class 4 and 5 vehicles too.

There are great jobs in the construction, utilities, local delivery and natural resource sectors for Class 3 licensed drivers in Saskatchewan.

Getting your Class 3 license in Saskatchewan actually follows the same steps as a Class 1 except that the air brake endorsement isn’t completely necessary and the vehicle you bring to your test will obviously not be a tractor-trailer. We still recommend getting your A endorsement along the way though because it expands your career options.

What is an axle? An axle is a shaft on which two or more wheels revolve

class 1 license saskatchewan roll-off-truck — Class 3 Vehicle

How do I get a Class 1 License in Saskatchewan?

In order to get a Class 1 license in Saskatchewan, you must meet certain minimum requirements, pass knowledge and road tests and be in good health.

If you have a criminal conviction, several major traffic violations or a couple at-fault accidents in the last 3 years you should check with future employers and your insurance broker about how this could affect job offers and your insurance rates.

The process to get a Class 1 license in Saskatchewan is administered by Saskatchewan Government Insurance. The SGI is a non-profit crown corporation that provides mandatory public auto insurance and administers the licensing process.

Let’s show you how to the steps to get your Class 1 License in Saskatchewan in 5 Easy Steps.

Step 1: Meet the Minimum Requirements
Step 2: Medical Exam
Step 3: Class 1 Knowledge Tests in Saskatchewan and Vision Test
Step 4: Truck Driver Training in Saskatchewan
Step 5: Class 1 Road Test in Saskatchewan

Step 1: Meet the Minimum Requirements

Before we jump into the process let’s check to make sure you meet the minimum requirements. In order to apply for a Class 1 license in Saskatchewan you must be:

at least 18 years old
out of the graduated licensing system and are NOT a Novice Driver.

You are considered a Novice Driver if you hold a:

Class 7 driver’s license
Class 5 driver’s license with a Novice 1 or Novice 2 restriction noted on the driver’s license
A license issued by another jurisdiction that is equivalent to a driver’s license described in either clause above

If you are 18 or older and hold your full class 5 license, let’s move on!

Step 2: Medical Exam

Before you start any testing, you need to see a doctor for a medical exam to ensure you don’t have any health issues that could put you and other drivers at risk on the road.

The medical examination is done at your doctor’s office and the report needs to be filed and approved by SGI before you can start taking your tests.

The Class 1 license medical exam in Saskatchewan is looking for some of these health conditions:

seizure disorders
certain heart or insulin dependent diabetic conditions
physical disabilities (paralysis, disability, arthritis, amputation)
blackouts, dizziness or fainting spells
head injuries
vision problems or hearing loss

Step 3: Class 1 Knowledge Tests in Saskatchewan and Vision Test

In order to book your knowledge and vision test, you need to go online to schedule an appointment and pre-pay. In the alternative, you can call or visit a motor license issuer. Walk-ins are only allowed in the Regina or Saskatoon Central offices between 8am – 4pm, Monday to Saturday.

In order to find an office near you, you can call the SGI or use their online office locator. You can find all these numbers and links in our Contacts section at the end of the article.

Vision Test

When you book your knowledge tests, you will be required to complete a vision test at the same time. This is to make sure you don’t have any depth perception issues, colour blindness or any other vision issues that can’t be corrected by glasses or contacts.

Class 1 Knowledge Tests

Before scheduling your knowledge tests, make sure you have studied the SGI “Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook“. You should be familiar with all the chapters of the Professional Driver’s Guide except the school bus and heavy trailer sections.

Even though you may just want to drive a truck, a Class 1 license lets you drive any other vehicle like a bus or taxi so you will be tested on that content too.

There following are the test papers you will need to successfully complete (passing grade is 80%) in order to move on to the next step of the licensing process:

Sign Test (30 questions)
Basic Class 5 Test (20 questions)
Class 1 Test (15 questions)
Class 2 Test (10 questions)
Class 3 Test (10 questions)
Class 4 Test (10 questions)

class 1 license saskatchewan truck knowledge test

Saskatchewan Commercial Driving Practice Tests

Saskatchewan Class 1 Practice Tests

Air Brakes Practice Tests

Saskatchewan Road Signs Test

Air Brakes (A Endorsement)

You technically don’t have to do an air brakes test because that is a separate endorsement (A endorsement) however most large trucks are equipped with air brakes so we recommend doing that test at the same time. If you want to drive a semi, you have to get this endorsement.

If you want a SGI Class 3 license this may be less important but we believe it is still a worthwhile skill to have that will broaden your employment opportunities.

The written test is only the first step to getting your A (air brakes) endorsement. The second step is a practical test which we will cover when we discuss the road tests.

The format of the written air brake test is similar to the other knowledge test and is 18 questions long. You need to get 80% of the answers correct to pass the test. To study, refer to the SGI “Air Brakes Manual“.

Step 4: Truck Driver Training in Saskatchewan

Once you have completed Steps 1-3 you will be issued a Class 1A Saskatchewan learner’s driver’s license. Congratulations on your promotion! Now comes the hard part, actually learning to drive the truck.

There is no official requirement to complete formal training or driving lessons, however we recommend that you do some. Not only will it help you sharpen your skills for the road test but it will keep everyone (including you) safe on the road and looks great on the resume when applying for jobs.

If you know someone with a truck, you can practice with them too. They must have held a Class 1A license for at least 365 days within the last 3 years.

Class 1 A Driver Training Programs in Saskatchewan

If you do not have any formal training it may be very difficult to convince a company to hire you, especially if you don’t have any experience, like driving a Class 3 vehicle. First, you want to make sure you find a quality school or training program. Use the certified school finder on the SGI website to find truck driver training programs near you.

Truck driver training in Saskatchewan ranges from 1-3 weeks on average. The 1 week package would be primarily for drivers who already have some experience shifting or towing a trailer, like a Class 2 or 3 driver. If you have never used a manual transmission before and don’t have any knowledge or experience with trucking, you are probably going to want to go for the more extensive 2-3 week training.

There are various training packages and schools out there. Be sure to shop around and pick a program that suits your financial and driving needs. We will go over costs to getting a Class 1 license in Saskatchewan at the end of this article.

Step 5: Class 1 Road Test in Saskatchewan

Now that you have experience behind the wheel it is time to take the test(s). You will have to call ahead to book (you can find the phone number in our Contacts section) and pay on the phone or at a motor license issuer location in advance.

The Vehicle

You will have to provide your own tractor trailer for the test. If you attend a school they almost always provide you with a truck as part of the package. It is important that you bring a truck with a manual transmission otherwise if it is automatic of electronic shift you will be restricted to only driving those types of vehicles. You also need to ensure that the trailer is over 4,600 kg (10,000 lbs). Lastly, the vehicle needs to be in good and safe working condition, insured and have a valid inspection certificate.

The Road Test

The test is designed to judge your ability to operate the vehicle safely in traffic. This means your general driving skills and ability to follow the rules of the road will be assessed. You will also need to perform things like a three-point turn and demonstrate proper clutch use while shifting up and down through all the gears.

Before you even get in the truck though, you need to perform a pre-trip inspection (also known as a “circle check”) as part of the test. You have to name and point to all the equipment that you are inspecting to comply with the safety requirements and ensure everything is in proper operating condition. You will also need to go through the procedures for coupling and uncoupling. Check out page 62 in the SGI Professional Driver’s Handbook for further information on the pre-trip inspection.

The Air Brake Test

In addition to your Class 1 road test, you also need to do a practical air brakes test in order to get your A endorsement. This includes:

a pre-trip brake inspection
a practical demonstration of the air brakes (you will be doing this in your road test anyways)
demonstrating how to adjust a manual slack adjuster on a brake model and tell the examiner the right way to adjust an automatic slack adjuster

The Finish Line

Now that you have passed all tests it is time to upgrade your license. You will no longer need that Class 5 license once you are issued a shiny new Class 1A license, so make sure you don’t leave before filling out the paperwork in the licensing office. Now go out there and start driving!

Make sure you have the right tools and equipment to do a brake adjustment during the air-brake pre-inspection test. The Air Brake Manual gives information on air brake system inspection and adjustment found below in our Resources section.

class 1 license saskatchewan truck-driver-meme

Class 1 License Costs in Saskatchewan

So how much is all this going to cost you? The biggest cost to getting your Class 1 license in Saskatchewan is the training. The SGI testing fees are a small part of the overall cost so it all comes down to which school you choose and what type of program you do, if any at all.

Average Costs With Training

$4,695 average

Medical Exam $75

Class 1 Knowledge Test $25

Air Brake (A) Endorsement Knowledge Test $25

Air Brake (A) Endorsement Course $0

Class 1 Training $4,350

Class 1 Road Test $155

Air Brake Endorsement Practical Test $50

Licence Reclassification $15

In summary, the costs to get your Class 1 license in Saskatchewan include:

Medical Exam: Varies by doctor or clinic, typically around $75
Class 1 Written Knowledge Test: $25
Air Brake (A) Endorsement Written Knowledge Test: $25
Air Brake (A) Endorsement Course: $0 as it should be included with your Class 1 Training program.
Class 1 Training: If you have some experience driving you could do a 1 week truck driver training course in Saskatchewan for approximately $2,455.
For beginners, you will want to do more extensive training which is typically 2 or 3 weeks. You would then be looking at a range of $4,350 for a 2 week course or $5,600 for a 3 week course. If you have no experience with a manual transmission then you will likely want to opt for the 3 week program. Our estimate is based on someone in the middle, that perhaps knows how to stick shift already and has held a Class 5 license for a couple years.
Class 1 Road Test: $100 for the actual road test and $55 for the pre-trip inspection test. The cost to rent a truck is usually covered in your training program.
Air Brake Endorsement Practical Test: $50
License reclassification (switching from a Class 5 to a Class 1 for instance): $15, set by SGI.

The average cost to get your Class 1 licence in Saskatchewan is $4,695 for an someone with no trucking experience but knows how to operate a manual transmission already and attends a 2 week truck driver training program in Saskatchewan.