Driver's Licence

Bus (Class 2)

A Class 2 licence authorizes its holder to drive:

• a bus with a seating capacity of more than 24 passengers;
• all other types of vehicles, except for vehicles covered by Class 1 and motorcycles.

Conditions to obtain a Class 2 licence

You must meet the following criteria:

• Basic requirements
  • Applicants must: have fewer than 4 demerit points entered on their driving record;
  • not have had their licence suspended or revoked during the previous two years as the result of accumulating demerit points or a driving-related Criminal Code offence;
  • pass the SAAQ's vision test;
  • submit a satisfactory medical report;
  • pass the knowledge test (Costs for obtaining a licence for various classes of driver's licence);
  • pass the 2 road tests.
• Experience required
• The applicant must have 24 months cumulative experience as a holder of a Class 5 probationary licence or Class 5 driver's licence (passenger vehicle).

Medical assessment and vision test

Go to an SAAQ service centre to:

• take a vision test;
• obtain the medical assessment form that you are required to have your physician fill out. You must send the completed form to the SAAQ.

Length of the learning period

The applicant must have held a Class 2 learner's licence for 3 months OR for 1 month if the applicant meets one of the following requirements:

• applicant is aged 25 or over; or
• has 60 months cumulative experience as a holder of a Class 5 licence; or
• holds a Class 3 licence.

For an applicant who meets one of these three requirements, the one-month period may be substituted by a training program that includes at least 20 driving hours on the public roadway with a vehicle covered by a Class 2 licence.

This training must be given by a heavy vehicle operator, within the meaning of the Act respecting owners, operators and drivers of heavy vehicles (PECVL), who has received a satisfactory rating by virtue of this Act, and has not been sanctioned by the SAAQ within the previous two years under the administrative policy framework adopted by virtue of this Act.

To drive a school bus

In addition to a Class 2 licence, a certificate of competence is required to drive a school bus. This certificate is issued after successfully completing the training programs and payment of the fee.

For further information or to register for a training program, contact one of the following centres:

Centre de formation en transport de Charlesbourg
700, rue de l'Argon
Québec (Québec) G2N 2G5
Telephone: 418 634-5580
Fax: 418 849-0290

Centre de formation du transport routier de Saint-Jérome
17000, rue Aubin
Mirabel (Québec) J7J 1B1
Telephone: 450 435-0167
Toll free: 1 877 435-0167
Fax: 450 435-0933

Summary description of the road tests

Important: After December 1, 2008, tests for licence Classes 1, 2 and 3 take into account the Regulation respecting the hours of driving and rest of heavy vehicle drivers in effect since June 15, 2007.

• The pre-trip inspection test (page in French only) (Costs for obtaining a licence for various classes of driver's licence)
  This test assesses your ability to inspect a bus before getting on the road. This pre-trip inspection includes the mechanical components (page in French only) that all drivers must check before every bus driving work shift.
• The heavy vehicle road test (Costs for obtaining a licence for various classes of driver's licence)
  This test assesses your ability to perform common on and off-highway manoeuvres when driving a bus, as well as observance of traffic rules, including those which specifically concern bus drivers.

Tests for the F and M endorsements

All new drivers who wish to drive a heavy vehicle equipped with an air brake system (F endorsement) or a manual (standard) transmission (M endorsement) must pass the tests that are specific to each endorsement.

For the F endorsement, you must:

• pass a specific knowledge test for this endorsement;
• report to the road test with a vehicle equipped with air brakes;
• pass the road test.

For the M endorsement, you must:

• report to the heavy vehicle road test with a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission;
• pass the road test.

If you fail the test(s)

• You only retake the test you failed.
• At least 7 days must have elapsed from the date of failure before you are allowed another try.
• You must make another appointment with the SAAQ and report to the test with a heavy vehicle corresponding to the licence class and endorsement sought.
• If you are only retaking the heavy vehicle road test, you must conduct a pre-trip inspection before reporting to the test with the vehicle.

Proper preparation

We recommend that you study:

• the traffic rules detailed in the Driver's Handbook;
• driving techniques in the heavy vehicle driving guide entitled Driving a Heavy Vehicle.

You can also read the brochure entitled Prospective Heavy Vehicle Driver, which outlines the procedures to follow to obtain this class of driver's licence.

For further information, call one of the following numbers:

• in Montréal: 514 873-7620;
• in Québec (city and vicinity): 418 643-7620;
• from elsewhere: 1 800 361-7620, toll free (Québec, Canada, USA)

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