help with trucking laws questions usa and canada

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by uk article writer, Oct 6, 2018.

  1. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    There are some differences between Canada and the US. In Canada we do not have a Commercial Driver's Licence (CDL), which is an additional licence in the US. In Canada it is illegal to have more than one licence, so a driver has one licence that qualifies them for various categories. I believe all of Canada uses pretty much the same classifications (Alberta's shown below), which are numbered, except Ontario which uses a letter classification (i.e. Class 1 = AZ: A - semi, Z - air brake. In the rest of the country the air brake endorsement is integral to the Class 1, so a driver cannot have a Class 1 without air brake).

    In Canada we do not have the number of additional endorsements as they have in the US (eg. hazmat, doubles, triples, etc.). The only endorsements that could apply to professional drivers are:
    • Q - Air brake: any licence other than Class 1
    • S - School bus
    • V - Extended Length Vehicle Combinations: only applies to combinations with two 53 foot trailers (also Saskatchewan has two 53 foot, plus a third trailer combination). Regular doubles, A, B and C trains do not require this endorsement.

    Alberta Professional Licence Classes

    1 - Professional
    • any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle
    • Class 6 vehicles as a learner only
    2 – Professional (bus)
    • any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 3, 4 or 5 driver’s licence is allowed to drive
    • a bus
    • a Class 1 or 6 vehicles as a learner only
    3 – Professional (3 axles or more)
    • any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 5 licence may drive
    • a single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles
    • a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles that is towing a trailer with one or more axles (if the trailer is not equipped with air brakes)
    • a Class 2 or 4 type vehicle without passengers (bus, taxi, ambulance)
    • a Class 1, 2 or 6 vehicles as a learner only
    However, you cannot drive a vehicle that:​
    • can seat more than 15 people including the driver
    • transports passengers for hire
    4 – Professional (taxi, ambulance)
    • a taxi, ambulance or bus (including a school or kindergarten bus) that seats fewer than 25 people including the driver
    • all motor vehicles included under Class 5
    • a Class 1, 2, 3 or 6 vehicles as a learner only
     
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  3. uk article writer

    uk article writer Bobtail Member

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    Oct 6, 2018
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  4. uk article writer

    uk article writer Bobtail Member

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    Thanks very much.!! So if I was trying to describe a topic that concerned US and Canadian fully articulated big rig driver's, I would say "concerns both US class 1 and Canadian A Z driver's. Is that correct??
     
  5. uk article writer

    uk article writer Bobtail Member

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  6. uk article writer

    uk article writer Bobtail Member

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    Just thought on after reading your reply. I thought US and Canada learner drivers had to do a Cdl written theory test and then Cdl driving test.Is that correct for the States but different in Canada?
     
  7. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    In Canada we have both written and road tests for each class of licence. As noted in Post #47, the lower classes (higher numerically) can act as a learner's licence for the higher classes. We do not have a "CDL permit" like the US has.

    I had left off the non-professional classes, so just for clarification:
    • Class 5: General passenger vehicle, two axles, may tow trailer
    • Class 6: Motorcycle
    • Class 7: Learner's licence for Classes 5 and 6 only
     
  8. uk article writer

    uk article writer Bobtail Member

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  9. uk article writer

    uk article writer Bobtail Member

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    Oct 6, 2018
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    Hello.Can anyone help with these Canadian on test reversing questions?
    12 POINTS = A FAIL?
    GET 2 FREE PULL UPS AND 2 FREE GET OUT AND LOOKS?
    1 ADDED POINT PER EXTRA GET OUT AND LOOK OR PULL UP?
    POINTS FOR HITTING A LINE OR CONE??
     
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