Truck and bus drivers require a commercial class of driver’s license and must meet certain prerequisites before being tested for a commercial license. 
Before you start the commercial license application process, you must:

• Hold a full-privilege B.C. driver’s license (Class 5 or 6) or an
  out-of-province equivalent
  
  
• Have an acceptable driving record that shows:
  • Less than 4 penalty point incidents in the past
    two years and
  • No motor vehicle-related criminal conviction
    in the previous three years
    
    
• Be at least 19 years old for a Class 1, 2 or 4 license and 18
  years old for a Class 3 license
  
  
• Not owe any fines or debts to ICBC or the province of B.C.
  
• Present acceptable identification

In addition, anyone applying for a commercial driver’s license must pass a medical examination , including vision and hearing.  People with certain medical or physical conditions may not qualify for a commercial license. 

An air brake endorsement for vehicles that are air brake equipped may also be required.

Class 1 licenses are required to operate any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles except motorcycles.

Class 2 licenses are required to operate buses or a combination of vehicles without air brakes where the towed vehicles weigh more than 4,600 kilograms.

Class 3 licenses are required to operate any motor vehicle with three or more axles (e.g., dump trucks and large ton trucks), a combination of vehicles with air brakes when the towed vehicle weighs less than 4,600 kilograms or a combination of vehicles without air brakes when the towed vehicle weigh more than 4,600 kilograms.  Buses that are being used to transport passengers are excluded from this class of license.

Class 4 licenses are required to operate buses for people with disabilities.  A restricted Class 4 license allows a person to operate a vehicle with a seating capacity of no more than 10 persons (including the driver).  An unrestricted Class 4 license allows a person to operate any small bus that seats a maximum of 25 persons (including the driver).

Details on commercial licences and air brake endorsements are on ICBC's website.

Remember, obtaining a professional class of driver’s license in B.C. is only the first step.  Professional drivers need to know much more than what is tested by ICBC.  Click here for more information on training resources for professional drivers.