Class 4 Licensing Program

Bestway Driver Training Centres offers comprehensive 1 on 1 Class 4 training in our 15 passenger bus. Training is available in 1 hour, 1 1/2 hour and 2 hour blocks. We recommend a minimum four and a half  hour package to allow you to develop the skills necessary to achieve a Class Four Driver's License. British Columbia is toughening it's road testing standards and professional licenses are one area where it is most noticeable. In order to qualify for a Class Four license you must fulfill the following criteria: You must be able to perform a thorough pre-trip inspection of the vehicle and fill out a pre-trip report. As well you may need to reinforce, fine tune or upgrade your driving skills to the appropriate level to qualify for this professional level license. Our highly experienced Class Four teachers can help you to be successful through their patient and encouraging teaching.

Below are excerpts from ICBC's web page about getting a professional license. If you want to see what else they have to say click here.

Becoming a Professional Driver

Before practicing in a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 vehicle, you must obtain a learner driver's license for that class. When you are ready, you'll need to attend a Driver Services Centre to take the applicable knowledge test(s), roads signs test, and vision and medical screening for the class of license you apply for. ICBC will test your fitness and ability to operate the class of vehicle you wish to drive. Applicants for commercial licenses must have a full privilege driver's license. New drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program cannot apply for a commercial license.

Obtaining a Learner Driver's License

On May 31, 1999, the requirements for upgrading to any professional class learner driver’s license (Class 1, 2, 3 and 4) changed. Under the new requirements, your driving record must show you have no motor-vehicle related Criminal Code convictions in the previous three years and no more than three incidents resulting in penalty points in the past two years. Licensing staff will check your driving record when you apply to take a learner’s knowledge test if you had a B.C. License for at least three years. If you move to B.C., you may exchange your out-of-province license for an equivalent B.C. License without taking a knowledge test or providing your driving record. You must have a B.C. License before upgrading to a higher class. If you wish to upgrade an out-of-province license, you must first exchange it for an equivalent B.C. License. Licensing staff will check the last three years of your driving record whenever you apply to upgrade your license. If your record is acceptable, you must then take a knowledge test. You are responsible for providing your driving record from any jurisdiction where you had a driver’s license in the past three years. This record is required before you can take a knowledge test.

To obtain a learner driver's license for one of the professional license classes, you'll need to pass a series of tests: a knowledge test, a road signs test, a medical exam and a vision screening. Test questions are taken from the materials in the Professional Driving Guide Kit. If applicable, you may also need to study the Air Brake Manual. All of these publications are available at Driver Services Centres. Once you've satisfied these requirements, they'll issue you a learner driver's license. This license is valid for one year (365 days). It allows you to operate a motor vehicle of the class for which it is issued, provided you're accompanied by a licensed B.C. driver 19 or older who has the same license class or better. Please note that the learner driver's license cannot be renewed. If you let it expire before getting a driver's license, you'll have to retake the tests and repay the test fee.

The Knowledge and Road Signs Tests

The traffic signs exam tests your understanding of commercial road signs. The knowledge exam tests your understanding of safe operations, safe vehicle control, cargo and hazardous material, load security, hours of operation, inspections and combination vehicle knowledge. The passing mark for both exams is 80%. If you fail the traffic signs and/or the knowledge test you may return another day to retake the part you haven't passed. All professional driving tests are conducted in English only.

The Vision Screening

Class 1, 2 and 4 drivers must have the use of both eyes and acuity not less than 20/50 in the poorer eye, 20/30 in the better eye and 20/30 with both eyes. Vision may be corrected with lenses. Red/green colour deficiency is not acceptable nor is diplopia (double vision). Class 3 applicants must have a minimum visual standard of 20/40 and no diplopia (double vision). If you need glasses or contact lenses to drive, wear them for your exam.

Medical Examination

When you apply for your learner driver's license, they'll ask you to complete a medical questionnaire. As well, you'll have to get your doctor to complete a Medical Examination Form. The professional driver's license will be issued subject to approval of this Medical Examination Form. Please note that the cost of the Medical Examination is not covered by the Medical Services Plan of British Columbia, ICBC, or the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.

Pre-trip Inspection Tests and Road Tests

You must pass a pre-trip inspection test and a road test to qualify for a full-privilege Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 license. You may take both tests on the same day. If you fail either test, you must retake it. Your results for one test will not affect your results for the other. Information on pre-trip inspection tests and road tests is included in the Professional Driving Guide Kit, available at ICBC driver licensing offices. If you take the road test for a Class 1 license, you must bring an appropriate vehicle. This vehicle must be loaded to 75 per cent of its legal axle weight, not its licensed gross vehicle weight (GVW). The vehicle must also be one that you can couple and uncouple as part of your test.