Air brake training for Vancouver drivers
Vancouver has dozens of driving schools, but very few teach and test air brakes — most send you somewhere else for the practical exam. Port of Vancouver terminals and city fleets keep hiring endorsed drivers.
We don’t have a yard inside Vancouver, so Vancouver students take the air brake course at our Surrey yard — about 30–40 min via Highway 99 or the Pattullo / Alex Fraser corridor. It’s the same instructors, the same air-brake trucks and the same on-site exam every Tricon student gets. We regularly train drivers from East Vancouver, South Vancouver, Marpole and Downtown.
Pass, and ICBC removes the Code 15 restriction from the licence you already hold — Class 5, 3, 1 or any other class. See the full air brake course page for the complete curriculum.
Who takes the air brake course in Vancouver
RV & motorhome owners
Larger diesel-pusher RVs often run air brakes. Get endorsed on your Class 5 with our RV air brake course.
Class 1 or 3 holders missing Code 15
You hold the licence but never did the air brake test — common for licences earned elsewhere.
Employer-required endorsement
Your Vancouver employer needs you Code 15-endorsed for a specific truck, without a full commercial program.
Out-of-province drivers
Some provinces’ air brake training doesn’t carry over to B.C. Call and we’ll check yours, or see testing only.
What you’ll learn
Classroom theory first, then hands-on at the truck — the same way ICBC examines you.
- Air brake systems — compressor, governor, reservoirs, the dual-circuit system and drain valves.
- Foundation brakes — brake chambers, slack adjusters and measuring pushrod travel.
- Spring brakes & warnings — parking brakes, low-air warnings and what to do when one comes on.
- Pre-trip & en-route inspection — the air brake checks ICBC tests, and the ones that keep you safe.
- Emergency procedures — handling air loss on the road.
- Exam prep — knowledge test and pre-trip assessment practice. Try our free air brake practice test.
Test on-site — skip the ICBC appointment
At many schools, finishing the course is only half the job: you still have to book a practical exam at an ICBC office, often on a different vehicle. Tricon has a certified assessment officer on staff, so Vancouver students take both exams with us, on the truck they trained on, usually the same day.
Getting to the Surrey yard from Vancouver
Most Vancouver students come in via Highway 99 or the Pattullo / Alex Fraser corridor. The course and both exams happen at the same yard, so it’s one trip — not a training day here and an ICBC appointment somewhere else.
Map and full directions
See the Surrey location page for the map, or our Vancouver service-area page for every program open to Vancouver students.
Air brake course Vancouver — FAQs
Where do Vancouver students take the air brake course?
At our Surrey yard, 12511 82 Ave — about 30–40 min from Vancouver via Highway 99 or the Pattullo / Alex Fraser corridor. We don’t have a yard inside Vancouver itself, but training and testing both happen at Surrey, so it’s one trip.
How long does the air brake course take?
The air brake course is 7 hours of classroom theory plus 4 hours of hands-on practical training (11 hours in total). The ICBC air brake knowledge test and the air brake pre-trip assessment follow the course. We can split it over more than one session if your schedule needs it.
Do I have to book a separate ICBC appointment for the practical exam?
No. Tricon has a certified assessment officer on staff, so your practical air brake pre-trip assessment happens with us, on the same vehicle you trained on. The ICBC knowledge test is taken separately at an ICBC driver licensing office.
I’m taking Class 1 or Class 3. Do I need this course too?
No — air brake training is already built into our Class 1 MELT and Class 3 programs. The standalone course is for drivers who only need Code 15 removed.
I drive a motorhome with air brakes. Is there a course for me?
Yes. Our RV air brake course covers the same curriculum with examples suited to motorhome and diesel-pusher systems, so you can get endorsed on your Class 5 licence.
How do I book from Vancouver?
Call or WhatsApp (778) 549-1727 — we answer 9am–9pm every day — or register online. We’ll confirm what you need and book you in at the Surrey yard.
Air brake training in other cities
Every city below trains at our Surrey or Langley yard.