Licence Classes
Class 3 Licence
Seeking a new job or a promotion at your existing job? This licence will make you more marketable.
About This Course
CSTT Driver Training offers both manual transmission and Class 3 automatic transmission driving lessons.
Most straight trucks are used for local delivery and often operate within a 200–300 km radius of their home terminal. Obtaining a Class 3 licence can present the applicant with a wealth of different opportunities, from driving general freight trucks, fire trucks or dump trucks. Local municipalities and transport companies use a number of specialty trucks. These range from flat decks equipped with hoists used by local lumber companies, to tanker trucks used to suck debris out of storm drains, to refrigeration trucks used for local food deliveries.
Driving Commercial Vehicles is the guide for this licence – see the introduction for applicable parts of the text.
ICBC Requirements
- ✓Applicant must be 18 years of age
- ✓Trucks with more than two axles, such as dump trucks and large tow trucks, but not including a bus that is being used to transport passengers
- ✓Trailers may not exceed 4,600 kilograms, except if the truck and trailers do not have air brakes
- ✓A tow car towing a vehicle of any weight
- ✓A mobile truck crane
- ✓Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5
Learning Curve
For new drivers learning to operate Class 3 vehicles, shifting a manual non-synchro mesh transmission presents the greatest challenge. If the vehicle is equipped with air brakes, as most straight trucks are, the pre-trip will also present some challenges to learning. Of course, it goes without saying that turning and maneuvering a large vehicle in city traffic requires the trainee to acquire new skills.
Prerequisites
All training is one-on-one with a licenced driving instructor. At the time of registration, you are required to pay a deposit and must have a valid Class 3 learners permit as well as an air brake endorsement on your licence. Lessons will not be scheduled until the required prerequisites are received. For more information please call CSTT at 250-655-0432.
All ICBC related fees are the responsibility of the student.
What You'll Learn
- ✓Pre-trip inspection
- ✓Shifting a manual non-synchro mesh transmission — or automatic transmission lessons
- ✓Turning and maneuvering a large vehicle in city traffic
- ✓Backing the unit safely
- ✓Highway driving
- ✓One-on-one lessons with an ICBC licenced instructor
Prerequisites
- ·Applicant must be 18 years of age
- ·Valid Class 3 learners permit
- ·Air brake endorsement on your licence (offered as a separate course)
- ·Deposit at time of registration — lessons will not be scheduled until the required prerequisites are received
- ·All ICBC related fees are the responsibility of the student
Step-by-step guide
How to Get Your Class 3 Licence in British Columbia→Read the full guide — every step from licence to road test.