How to Get Your Manitoba Class 3 License in 5 Easy Steps (with costs!)

Want to learn how to get a Class 3 license in Manitoba? There are lots of interesting driving jobs available if you are willing to explore other Manitoba drivers license options. The Manitoba Class 3 license is a professional drivers license that allows you to drive large industrial trucks and pull trailers. It does not allow you to drive a big rig though. For that, you will need a Class 1 License. 

Let’s dig into the requirements to get your Manitoba Class 3 License and find out the differences between the Manitoba Drivers Licenses. We also have the MPI Class 3 handbook, location finders and contact information to guide your through the whole process, including How to Get Your Manitoba Class 3 License in 5 Easy Steps. 

Commercial Driver HQ
Commercial Driver HQ

What is a Manitoba Class 3 License?

A Manitoba Class 3 License is a professional driver’s license that allows you to drive big trucks and tow things. A Class 3 License in Manitoba permits you to drive:

  • A truck with more than 2 axles
  • A combination of vehicles that includes a truck with more than two axles (not including a semi-trailer truck)
  • A combination of vehicles consisting of a truck with two axles or Class 5 passenger vehicle, and a towed vehicle with a registered gross vehicle weight of more than 4,540 kg

Some examples of vehicles you can drive are large snow plows, dump trucks, mixers and vacuum trucks, roll-off trucks and many other large industrial vehicles. If you hold a Manitoba Class 3 driver’s license you can also drive any vehicles that are included in Classes 4 and 5. 

Class 3 vehicles are often equipped with air brakes so you should obtain your air brake (A) endorsement and slack adjustment (S) endorsement which can be done at the same time as your Class 3 tests. Slack adjusters are part of your air brakes system in case you are unfamiliar with the term. Don’t worry, the manuals will go over all this information. 

class 3 license manitoba tipper truck

Organization Tools for Drivers

Keeping a vehicle organized is a challenge, especially for drivers constantly on the move. Consider gifting a car organizer that fits between seats or hangs from the back of seats, providing compartments for essentials like water bottles, documents, and snacks. A foldable trunk organizer can also help keep cargo neatly in place.

Manitoba’s Driver’s Licenses

Here is a quick summary of what the different types of Manitoba Driver’s Licenses are for:

  • Class 1: Semi-Truck Trailers (your standard big rig)
  • Class 2: Large Passenger and School Buses
  • Class 3: Heavy Equipment Trucks and Large Trailer Towing
  • Class 4: Emergency Vehicles, Small Buses and Vehicles for Hire 
  • Class 5: Standard Passenger Vehicles
  • Class 6: Motorcycles

Want to learn about a Class 1 License instead? We have an Guide for that too. Find out How To Get a Manitoba Class 1 License in 5 Easy Steps.

How do I get a Class 3 License in Manitoba?

In order to get a Class 3 license in Manitoba, you must meet certain minimum requirements, pass knowledge and road tests and be in good health. 

The process to get your Manitoba Class 3 license is administered by Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI). The MPI is a non-profit crown corporation that provides mandatory public auto insurance and administers the licensing process. There are both MPI Services Centres and independent agents known as AutoPac Agents or Brokers. 

Let’s show you how to get your Manitoba Class 3 License in 5 Easy Steps.

Step 1: Meet the Minimum Requirements

If you are thinking about getting your Manitoba Class 1 License, you are probably already driving in Manitoba. You must apply to the MPI to get what is called Authorized Instruction so you can learn to drive your Class 3 vehicle. In order to obtain Authorized Instruction, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • hold a minimum Class 5 Intermediate Stage or Class 5 Authorized Instruction driver’s license
  • pass a medical and vision exam
  • successfully complete a written knowledge test

If you are coming from another province or country and have a similar license to a Class 3 (meaning you have been driving a truck), you may be able skip many of the steps below. In order to find out if you qualify, give MPI a call at 204-985-7000 or toll-free 1-800-665-2410. 

An axle is a rod or spindle (either fixed or rotating) passing through the center of a wheel or group of wheels. For example, a passenger car has 2 axles, one in the front and one in the rear. 

Step 2: Medical Exam and Vision Test

You must be in good physical health and meet the vision standards to get your Class 3 license in Manitoba. This means that you will have to get a medical examination by a doctor and complete a vision test. 

If you have concerns about your hearing, vision or general physical or mental health, you should contact MPI Driver Fitness to discuss any disability or restriction you may have. The phone numbers are listed in the Contacts section of this article. 

You should get your medical examination first, then do your vision test when you go to write your knowledge tests.

Medical Examination

The medical examination is done at your doctor’s office and the report is filed with MPI. Manitoba Health does not pay for this and your doctor will likely charge you a fee.

You can get your medical examination after your knowledge test but you should probably do it first so you know you are good to go health-wise before doing the knowledge test. The medical examination is valid for 6 months so you have to get your learner’s license within this time frame. 

Vision Test

There are minimum vision standards to operate a Class 3 vehicle but glasses or contacts are fine to correct any issues. The standards are: 

  • Vision acuity no less than 6/9 with both eyes open and examined together with the worse eye no less than 6/30.
  • Visual fields must not be less than 150° with both eyes open and examined together. 

If you wear contacts, you always have to have your glasses in the truck with you just in case you need to remove a lens. Make sure to bring your glasses to all your tests. 

Step 3: Class 3 Knowledge Tests in Manitoba

There are two tests that you will need to complete: 

  • Air Brake Knowledge Test
  • Class 3 License Knowledge Test

Although you do not have to get your air brakes endorsement for a Class 3 License, many large trucks are equipped with them and we believe, given the relatively low cost and effort, it is worth it in the long run. Most training programs include air brake instruction anyways. 

These written closed book test must be scheduled ahead of time with an AutoPac agent or at an MPI Service centre. Use this feature to find a location near you. The test can be scheduled up to 8 weeks in advance in either English or French. 

If you fail a test, you will have to wait until the next business day and pay the fee again which is $10 per test attempt. 

Once you have completed the tests (and assuming you already submitted the medical examination), you will be issued a learner’s license so you can start practicing your driving skills.

Make sure you study for these tests. You can do this by reviewing the Professional Driver’s Manual, Air Brake Manual and try a practice quiz online. Find them all at the end of this article in our Resources section. 

Make sure you are familiar with the information on Class 4 vehicles of the Professional Driver’s Guide. Even though you may just want to drive a truck, a Class 3 license let’s you drive Class 4 vehicles like a small bus or taxi so you will be tested on that content too. 

Step 4: Class 3 Training in Manitoba

There is no official requirement to complete formal training or driving lessons, however we recommend that you do some. Not only will 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. They must have had their Class 5F license for at least 3 years and their Class 3 license for at least 2 years. In the alternative, you may want to take some lessons or sign up with a school for a training package. 

Cooking/Food on the Go

For those who consider their rig their second home, cooking on the road is a necessity. A portable slow cooker or a reliable 12V microwave can turn their cabin into a culinary haven. Additionally, investing in a sturdy cooler or a mini-fridge can keep their snacks fresh and their beverages cool during those long hauls through the Great White North.

Formal Training Schools & Lessons

If you do not have any formal training it may be very difficult to convince a company to hire you. This is why we recommend getting some training. 

You can get hourly lessons up to 24 hour (part-time) packages. We recommend taking a training package that includes an air brake component and a vehicle rental for your road tests. The most common for new drivers is the 24 hour package that includes everything from in-class and on the road instruction, pre-trip and air brake inspections and truck rental for the road tests. 

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. 

Step 5: Class 3 Road Test in Manitoba

Before you try the Class 3 road test in Manitoba, MPI requires that you: 

  • wait at least 2 full weeks since you obtained your Authorized Instruction
  • possess your full (F) Class 5 driver’s license

Road Test Locations

Not every city offers Class 3 road tests. The following are the locations that road tests are available:

  • Winnipeg (including the municipalities of Headingley, East and West St. Paul)
  • Beausejour
  • Brandon
  • Dauphin
  • Portage la Prairie
  • Steinbach
  • Thompson
  • Winkler

You must take your road test at the location near you. You can obtain the contact information for a testing centre by selecting broker under services and selecting one of the above cities that is closest to you. Remember you have to schedule the test ahead of time. 

Class 3 dump truck

The Vehicle

You are required to provide your own Class 3 vehicle, equipped with air brakes if you are getting that endorsement too. The vehicle must be in good working condition. You will also have to provide a Vehicle Registration Certificate to show the truck is insured and registered. 

Assuming you don’t have your own truck, which is probably almost all of you, you have a couple options. The most practical is that most schools that you do Class 3 training with offer a truck to you for your test as part of the training package. If they don’t or you didn’t do any training, you may be able to rent one from these schools or another provider. Of course, you can always borrow one from a family member or friend that may be in the industry. 

The Road Test

You must arrive 15 minutes before your test starts. You will be required to do a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle and an actual driving test. The driving part of the test is used to evaluate your driving skills and test your ability to operate a Class 3 vehicle in a safe and legal manner. The cost of the Class 3 road test is $45. 

You must successfully complete the pre-inspection test before moving on to the driving part of the test. If you fail you can try again the next business day. 

The Air Brake Test

Assuming you are going for our air brake endorsement, you will pre-inspection of your air brakes system to to get your A (and S) endorsements. The air brake test is comprised of two parts: 

  • a practical demonstration of a pre-trip brake inspection along with a verbal explanation of the air brake components and their functions 
  • a demonstration that shows you can adjust a manual slack (this is for your S endorsement)

This test can be done at the same time as your Class 3 road test and is free. If you do this test separately, the cost is $30. 

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. 

General drivers’ gift categories

Manitoba Class 3 License: Costs

Now that you know what a Manitoba Class 3 license is and how to get it, let’s go over the costs. In this estimate, we are assuming that you have no professional driving, take a training program and obtain your A/S endorsement. 

Average Cost

Class 3 License Manitoba$2,200

  • Medical Examination – $85
  • Class 3 Knowledge / Written Test – $10
  • Air Brake Knowledge / Written Test – $10
  • Class 3 Training – $2,050
  • Truck Rental – $0
  • Air Brake Road / Practical Test – $0
  • Class 3 Road / Practical Test – $45

Costs

  • Medical Examination: This cost is determined by your doctor but the average rate is approximately $85. 
  • Class 3 License Knowledge / Written Test: $10 – Administered by MPI or Autopac agent.
  • Air Brake Knowledge / Written Test: $10 – Administered by MPI or Autopac agent. 
  • Class 3 Training: $2,050 for a 20-24 hour course. 
    This seems to be the standard Class 3 Training in Manitoba. It includes everything you need to pass your tests and get on the road, including pre-trip and air brake inspections, driving and backing skills. The courses range from about $1,600 to $2,350 depending on the school you choose. 
    They will prepare to get your full Class 3 license with the A (air brake) endorsement and S (slack adjuster) endorsement. 
  • Truck Rental for Pre-Inspection, Air Brakes and Road Tests: Typically included in your Class 3 training package or on average $250. 
  • Air Brake Pre-Inspection Test: This test is free if done at the same time as your road test. If you do it separately, the cost is $30
  • Class 3 License Road / Practical Test: $50 – Administered by MPI or Autopac agent.

Class 3 License Manitoba costs are approximately $2,200. This is with the standard full length training program, truck rental for testing and your air brakes and slack adjustment (A/S) endorsements. 

Contacts, Forms and Resources

Here are some helpful contacts to ask general questions or obtain testing centre locations. 

Manitoba Public Insurance Contact Information

Online Contact Form 

Phone Numbers

In Winnipeg: 204-985-7000

Outside Winnipeg (and outside Manitoba): Toll-free at 1-800-665-2410

Contact Centre Hours of Operation

  • Monday to Friday – 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Sunday – Closed

Mailing Address

Manitoba Public Insurance
Box 6300
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4A4

Delivery Address

Manitoba Public Insurance
Box 6300
Room B100, 234 Donald Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 4A4

MPI – Driver Fitness

Use these phone numbers to inquire about your medical fitness to obtain a Class 3 license. 

Phone Number: 204–985–1900
Toll-free: 1–866–617–6676

Manitoba Trucking Association

25 Bunting Street 
Winnipeg, Manitoba R2X 2P5

Phone Number: 204–632–6600

Resources

Air Brake Manual

Class Licenses

Driving Quizzes

Find an Autopac Agent/Broker Office

Professional Driver’s Manual


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