What is a Class 4 licence?
A Class 4 licence lets you drive passenger-carrying vehicles for work: taxis, limousines, ambulances and small buses. ICBC issues two types, Class 4 Unrestricted (buses up to 25 seats including the driver) and Class 4 Restricted (up to 10 seats including the driver).
A Class 4 licence also covers what a Class 5 covers (see the ICBC guide). The rules are set by ICBC: read the ICBC Class 4 guide and confirm current rules with ICBC before you apply.
Class 4 is not MELT
Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) is a Class 1 requirement. Class 4 has its own ICBC requirements, listed under before you can enrol. See also what our training covers.
Who takes Class 4 training
- Drivers moving up from a Class 5 into their first passenger-carrying licence for taxi or limousine driving.
- Drivers who want a Class 4 Unrestricted licence to drive small buses with up to 25 seats including the driver.
- Drivers working toward ambulance jobs who need a Class 4 licence.
Not sure whether a restricted or unrestricted Class 4 is the right fit for the work you want? Call us at (778) 549-1727 and we'll talk through the actual vehicle and job before you commit to either one.
Already Class 4 licensed?
If you just need a few hours of focused practice before a road test, or a refresher, call us at (778) 549-1727 and we'll talk through which session suits you.
What you can drive with Class 4
ICBC issues two types of Class 4 licence, Unrestricted and Restricted. Seat counts below include the driver.
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Taxi
Covered by Class 4 Restricted and Unrestricted. Restricted: up to 10 seats including the driver.
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Limousine
Covered by Class 4 Restricted and Unrestricted. Restricted: up to 10 seats including the driver.
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Ambulance
Covered by Class 4 Restricted and Unrestricted. Restricted: up to 10 seats including the driver.
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Small bus (up to 25 seats)
Class 4 Unrestricted covers buses up to 25 seats including the driver.
- Class 4 Restricted: taxis, limousines, ambulances and special vehicles, up to 10 seats including the driver, plus Class 5.
- Class 4 Unrestricted: buses up to 25 seats including the driver, taxis, limousines, ambulances and special vehicles for people with disabilities, plus Class 5.
- Everything already covered by a Class 5 licence — your personal car, van and light-truck privileges carry over in full.
Vehicles outside these limits need a different licence class. Check the ICBC Class 4 guide and ICBC's licence classes page, and confirm current rules with ICBC.
Do I need an air brake endorsement?
Whether you need an air brake endorsement depends on the vehicle you will drive. Confirm the requirement with ICBC. If you need one, see our air brake course.
What Class 4 training covers
Class 4 training focuses on the skills passenger drivers use every day and on preparing for the ICBC road test. Call us to talk through your starting experience and the vehicle you plan to drive.
Pre-trip inspection
Checking the vehicle before you carry passengers, component by component, so you know what to look for and why.
Passenger safety and loading/unloading
Loading and unloading passengers safely, and keeping people safe and comfortable while the vehicle is moving.
Smooth braking and defensive driving
Smooth braking, space management and hazard awareness, so your passengers get a steady, safe ride.
Road-test manoeuvre practice
Practice of the manoeuvres you are likely to be asked to do on your ICBC road test.
How long will it actually take?
It depends on your comfort behind the wheel of a passenger vehicle and how much time you can put in each week. Call us and we'll talk it through.
Before you can enrol
ICBC sets the Class 4 rules. This is a summary from the ICBC Class 4 guide; confirm current rules with ICBC.
- Be at least 19 years old.
- Hold a valid class 1 to 6 licence (or equivalent) with at least 2 years of non-learner driving experience.
- Complete a driver fitness medical. ICBC requires a driver medical for Class 4.
- Complete driver training and pass a road test. Both are part of getting a Class 4 licence.
- Choose your licence type. Class 4 Restricted covers vehicles up to 10 seats including the driver; Class 4 Unrestricted covers buses up to 25 seats including the driver.
- Confirm current rules with ICBC. Requirements can change, so check the ICBC Class 4 guide before you apply.
Not sure where you stand on any of these? Call us on (778) 549-1727.
Your path to a Class 4 licence
From your first phone call to a licence in your wallet, here's the sequence — and where we come in.
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Confirm you're eligible
Age 19 or over, a valid class 1 to 6 licence (or equivalent), and at least 2 years of non-learner driving experience. Confirm current rules with ICBC, or call us.
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Complete your driver medical
ICBC requires a driver fitness medical for Class 4. Confirm the current process with ICBC.
Confirm with ICBC -
Check ICBC's Class 4 steps
The ICBC Class 4 guide sets out how to apply. Read it and confirm current rules with ICBC before you book anything.
Confirm with ICBC -
Train with Tricon
Pre-trip inspection, passenger safety and loading/unloading, smooth braking and defensive driving, and road-test manoeuvre practice.
With us -
Get road-test ready
Keep practising the pre-trip inspection and the manoeuvres until you feel ready to take your ICBC road test.
With us -
Take the ICBC Class 4 road test
The road test is arranged and taken with ICBC. Confirm the current format and what to bring with ICBC.
With ICBC
Not sure which step you're on?
Tell us what's on your licence today and we'll map out exactly what's left — no obligation, no sales pitch.
Why train with Tricon
A few reasons drivers choose Tricon to prepare for Class 4.
Practice aimed at your vehicle
Whether you are aiming for a Class 4 Unrestricted licence for a small bus or a Class 4 Restricted licence for a taxi or limousine, tell us the vehicle you plan to drive and we focus your practice on it.
Talk to us first
Call before you book. We'll talk through your licence, your experience and the vehicle you want to drive.
Open 9am to 9pm, every day
Including weekends and holidays, and booked by the hour so you can fit training around work.
Yards in Surrey and Langley
Two Metro Vancouver training yards, in Surrey and Langley.
4.6★ Surrey · 5.0★ Langley on Google
Google ratings from students at our two yards.
In-house funding available
We finance training directly as well as helping students apply for provincial grants — so the course fee doesn't have to arrive as one lump sum.
We train Class 4 students from across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley — Surrey, Langley, Delta, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam and New Westminster.
Paying for your Class 4 training
Call us on (778) 549-1727 for current Class 4 pricing. You don't have to carry the whole cost as one lump sum: see our funding options page for what is available.
In-house funding at Tricon
We also finance training directly, so you can start before the whole fee is in the bank. Ask about it when you call — and see our funding options page for the full picture.
Class 4 — frequently asked questions
What can I drive with a Class 4 licence?
There are two types of Class 4 licence. Class 4 Unrestricted covers buses with up to 25 seats including the driver, plus taxis, limousines, ambulances and special vehicles for people with disabilities. Class 4 Restricted covers taxis, limousines, ambulances and special vehicles with up to 10 seats including the driver. Both types also include Class 5. Confirm current rules with ICBC.
Do I need a medical exam for a Class 4 licence?
Yes. ICBC requires a driver fitness medical for a Class 4 licence. Confirm the current process with ICBC, or ask us when you call.
What licence and experience do I need before Class 4?
You need a valid class 1 to 6 licence (or equivalent) and at least 2 years of non-learner driving experience. Confirm current rules with ICBC.
How old do you have to be for a Class 4 licence?
The minimum age for a Class 4 licence is 19.
What does the Class 4 road test involve?
Class 4 requires driver training and a road test with ICBC. Confirm the current road-test format with ICBC. Our training includes a pre-trip inspection and practice of the manoeuvres used in the road test.
Who takes Class 4 training?
Drivers heading into taxi, limousine, ambulance or small-bus work, including drivers moving up from a Class 5 licence to carry passengers.
What does Class 4 training cover?
Pre-trip inspection, passenger safety and loading and unloading, smooth braking and defensive driving, and practice of the road-test manoeuvres.
How much does Class 4 training cost?
Call Tricon at (778) 549-1727 for current pricing, and ask about in-house financing.
What is the difference between restricted and unrestricted Class 4?
Class 4 Unrestricted covers buses with up to 25 seats including the driver, plus taxis, limousines, ambulances and special vehicles for people with disabilities. Class 4 Restricted covers taxis, limousines, ambulances and special vehicles with up to 10 seats including the driver. Confirm current rules with ICBC.
Where do you run Class 4 training?
From our Surrey yard at 12511 82 Ave and our Langley yard at 8380 216 St, with students coming from across Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including Delta, Abbotsford, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam and New Westminster.
We answer the phone from 9am to 9pm every day of the year, weekends and holidays included.