Everything you need to pass your Alberta CDL exam: key topics, the rules examiners test, and exam-style practice questions.
Alberta Class 1 (CDL) · 80 topics · Updated 2026-10-24
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The practical training session teaches drivers to perform an effective pre-trip inspection, determine if s-cam foundation brakes are correctly adjusted, and know how to adjust an s-cam drum brake.
Candidates must understand how a typical air brake system functions, use it safely to maximum advantage, know how the system reacts to failures, and learn operational strategies to safely stop a vehicle after an air system failure. Skill objectives include performing an effective pre-trip inspection, determining if s-cam foundation brakes are correctly adjusted, and knowing how to adjust an s-cam drum brake.
The Alberta Air Brake Program is mandatory for operators of air brake equipped vehicles since November 1, 1990. Legislation is found in the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and its regulations, and in Air Brake Systems (Standard 121) of Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
The classroom session aims to provide a basic understanding of how a typical air brake system functions, how to use it safely and to maximum advantage, how the system reacts to failures, and operational strategies to safely stop a vehicle after an air system failure.
The Alberta Air Brake Program provides training for the safe and efficient operation of air brake systems. Since November 1, 1990 it has been mandatory for operators of air brake equipped vehicles. Legislation is found in the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act, Air Brake Systems (Standard 121).
The Alberta Air Brake Program provides training for drivers to ensure safe and efficient operation of air brake systems. Since November 1, 1990 it has been mandatory for operators of air brake equipped vehicles. Legislation is found in the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Standard 121).
The Alberta Air Brake Program provides training to ensure the safe and efficient operation of air brake systems. It has been mandatory for operators of air brake equipped vehicles since November 1, 1990. The manual itself has no legal authority; the governing legislation is the Alberta Traffic Safety Act and its regulations, and Air Brake Systems (Standard 121) of Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
A Class 1 licence is the highest commercial class in Alberta. The minimum learning or licensing age is 18 years. You may not apply for a Class 1 licence as a probationary (GDL) driver. The holder may operate any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles other than a motorcycle, and Class 6 type vehicles for learning only.
To take the Class 1 road test you must provide a tractor-trailer with a specific configuration to demonstrate ability to handle a full commercial combination unit.
A Class 2 licence permits operating a bus plus any vehicle a Class 3, 4 or 5 holder may operate. Minimum age is 18 and no probationary applicants. The road test bus must exceed 24 passenger seating capacity. If air brake equipped, driver needs a 'Q' endorsement or air brake course certificate.
A Class 3 licence allows operation of a single motor vehicle with three or more axles, and a three-or-more-axle vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles (if the trailer has no air brakes). Holders cannot operate vehicles seating more than 15 passengers while carrying passengers, or transport passengers for hire.
A Class 4 licence permits operation of a bus with seating not more than 24 (excluding operator), an ambulance, or a taxi, plus Class 5 vehicles. Minimum age is 18 with no probationary applicants.
Commercial vehicles must comply with maximum dimension limits set by the Commercial Vehicle Dimension and Weight Regulation (AR 315/2002). Exceeding these limits requires a special permit with specific conditions.
Specialized, oversized or overweight equipment requires a special permit that specifies operating conditions to prevent road damage and ensure safety.
Specialized, oversized or overweight equipment requires a special permit that will state specific conditions to prevent road damage and ensure safety.
A Class 1 driver's licence permits operation of any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles other than a motorcycle. It also allows learning of Class 6 type vehicles. The minimum learning or licensing age is 18 years, and you may not apply as a probationary (GDL) driver.
To take the Class 1 road test you must provide a tractor-trailer with a specific configuration including a 13-speed manual transmission, a minimum gross vehicle weight, a full-air brake system, tandem axles, and a fifth wheel coupling device.
Effective March 1, 2019, anyone wanting a Class 1 or Class 2 licence must complete the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) program. Successful MELT completion is a prerequisite to taking the Class 1 or Class 2 knowledge test.
To upgrade a licence you must pass a knowledge test based on this guide and the Cars and Light Trucks guide. The test is 30 multiple choice questions requiring at least 25 correct to pass, and stops after six wrong answers.
Applicants for Class 1, 2 or 3 must perform a pre-trip inspection during the road test, communicating and demonstrating each item. Class 1 also requires demonstrating couple/uncouple procedures and an air brake inspection.
A Class 1 licence cannot be obtained without first qualifying for an air brake endorsement. No driver (other than a learner) may operate a vehicle with full air brakes unless they hold a Class 1 licence or a Q endorsement.
The guide defines three braking types: full air brakes (air to all foundation brakes) require a Q endorsement or Class 1; air-over-hydraulic (combination) also require the endorsement; and air-actuated hydraulic (air assisted, all hydraulic foundation brakes) do NOT require the Q endorsement.
A Class 1 licence permits operation of any motor vehicle or combination other than a motorcycle, plus Class 6 vehicles for learning only. The minimum learning/licensing age is 18. You cannot apply as a probationary driver. Specific vehicle configuration must be provided for the road test.
A Class 2 licence allows operating a bus and any vehicle a Class 3, 4 or 5 holder may operate, plus Class 1 and 6 vehicles for learning only. Minimum age is 18, no probationary applicants.
A Class 3 licence permits single motor vehicles with three or more axles and towing trailers (with one or more axles if not air-brake equipped), plus Class 5 vehicles. Restrictions apply to passenger transport.
A Class 4 licence permits a bus with seating capacity not more than 24 (excluding operator), an ambulance or taxi, and Class 5 vehicles, plus Classes 1, 2, 3 and 6 for learning only.
To upgrade, you must pass a knowledge test for the licence class sought. It is based on this guide and the Cars and Light Trucks guide. Class 1 applicants may be asked questions from other chapters since they can operate other vehicle types.
Class 1, 2 or 3 applicants must conduct a pre-trip inspection in addition to the road test, communicating and demonstrating what they inspect. Notes may not be used.
Three braking system types exist: full air brakes (air to all foundation brakes), air over hydraulic (combination), and air actuated hydraulic (air assisted but hydraulic foundation brakes). Each has different endorsement requirements.
A Class 2 licence permits operation of a bus and any vehicle a Class 3, 4 or 5 holder may operate. For the road test you must provide a bus seating more than 24 passengers excluding the operator. An air brake Q endorsement is required for air brake equipped vehicles.
A Class 3 licence permits single vehicles with three or more axles, and towing trailers without air brakes. A Class 3 holder cannot operate vehicles seating more than 15 while transporting passengers, nor transport passengers for hire.
A Class 4 licence permits operation of small buses (24 or fewer passengers), ambulances, taxis, and any Class 5 vehicle. Road test requires a Class 5 vehicle or bus seating 24 or fewer excluding operator.
A medical report is required to upgrade to Class 1, 2 or 4. Reports must be renewed at set age intervals. A vision assessment is also required before upgrading; failing minimum standards requires an optometrist/ophthalmologist referral.
An applicant holding a Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) cannot take a road test for a classification higher than Class 5. Driving with the wrong licence class is illegal, and it is also an offence for a vehicle owner to allow this.
A bus is a commercial vehicle designed to carry 11 or more persons including the driver. A semi-trailer has axles only at the rear and connects by kingpin and fifth wheel. A truck tractor may couple to a semi-trailer via a fifth wheel.
A Q endorsement is placed on any licence class when a driver completes an approved Alberta air brake course. An S endorsement is for school bus drivers (Class 1, 2 or 4) who complete the School Bus Driver Improvement Program.
To learn to drive a commercial class vehicle you must hold at least a Class 5 or Class 5 GDL licence. You cannot apply for commercial classes while in the GDL program. Learning drivers must be accompanied by a qualified instructor.
New applicants from other Canadian jurisdictions must wait to re-class to commercial classes so Alberta can confirm licence information.
An air brake 'Q' endorsement is not required for a single motor vehicle registered as a farm vehicle, but is required for a farm vehicle combination requiring a Class 1 licence.
A 'Q' endorsement is added when a driver completes an approved Alberta air brake course. An 'S' endorsement is for school bus drivers who complete the School Bus Driver Improvement Program. A bus is designed for 11 or more persons including the driver.
A road test will not be conducted in any vehicle that is required to display dangerous goods placards.
Commercial vehicles must not exceed specific dimensions for width, height, length and wheelbase. Vehicles wider than 2.05 metres require clearance lights (amber front, red rear). Exceeding these limits requires a special permit.
Overall length limits apply to tractor semi-trailer combinations and TAC vehicle combinations (A, B and C trains). No vehicle may operate if weight on a tire, axle or gross vehicle weight exceeds the Commercial Vehicle Dimension and Weight Regulation (AR 315/2002).
Specialized, oversized or overweight equipment requires a special permit that states specific conditions the driver must follow.
Every vehicle carrying Class 1 material (Explosives) must carry a document signed by the vehicle's owner or lessee that names the authorized driver(s) permitted to operate or accompany the vehicle.
If the dangerous goods placards and panels are lost, damaged, or defaced during the trip, the carrier is responsible for replacing them immediately to maintain proper identification of the load.
For complete information on transporting dangerous goods, drivers can contact the Dangerous Goods, Vehicle and Rail Safety Branch in Edmonton at 780-422-9600, or toll free anywhere in Alberta at 1-800-272-9600 with 24-hour service.
Supply tanks have lanyard pulls; service tanks have lanyards or manual drain valves. Regular draining prevents contamination accumulation. Tanks do not drain properly until air pressure is depleted and contamination settles and drips from the tank.
The air compressor generates air pressure for the brake system. On engine blocks not originally designed for air systems, the OEM adds a belt-driven compressor with mounting brackets. During the daily trip inspection, drivers must check the compressor for loose fasteners, cracked hubs, loose spindle nuts, and proper belt tension.
The first tank receiving air pressure is called the supply, wet, or purge tank interchangeably. 'Supply' is the formal term; 'wet tank' is common because it captures the bulk of contamination. Most air dryers manage their own purge air rather than relying on the supply tank, except the AD-IS system.
The supply tank lanyard should be pulled often during the day, during pre-trips, en-route inspections, and fuelling. This ensures contamination is not accumulating. If moisture accumulates, drain tanks completely at the end of the shift. Tanks do not drain properly until air pressure is depleted and contamination settles.
Safety valves protect the system from over-pressurization. They may be external, or thread in so the top is flush with the bung. Most air brake vehicles have safety valves in both the air dryer and supply tank; some have one only in the air dryer.
Older air dryers were after-cooler types recognized by cooling fins, collecting contamination in a sump. Modern dryers use desiccant that adsorbs moisture, which is blown off during purging (back-flushing). Most dryers manage their own purge air; some use a separate tank or supply tank air.
The AD-IS (Air Dryer Integrated Solution) integrates the air dryer, purge reservoir, and charging valve components into one module. It collects and removes contaminants in solid, liquid, and vapour form before they enter the brake system, eliminating the need for daily manual tank draining.
Air brake antifreeze is methyl-alcohol with a lubricant to prevent rubber components from drying out. Pure alcohol damages the air dryer desiccant, so it must not be added ahead of the dryer. Some trailers have desiccant dryers that alcohol would damage, indicated by a warning decal.
The supply tank can be identified by looking for the safety valve. The OEM often labels the tank. Air enters from the air dryer, and red/green lines go to respective service tanks. A 1/4 inch (6 mm) line runs to the governor, and the drain lanyard is visible underneath.
Safety valves protect the system from over-pressurization. They may be mounted externally or thread in flush with the bung. Most air brake vehicles have safety valves in both the air dryer and supply tank; some only in the air dryer.
The supply tank can be identified by locating the safety valve. Air comes in from the air dryer (black line), red and green lines go to service tanks, and a 1/4 inch (6mm) line goes to the governor. The drain lanyard is visible underneath.
There is no fixed direction for turning the wrench when adjusting a manual slack adjuster; it may turn right or left depending on how the slack adjuster is installed. What matters is that the s-cam shaft rotates in the direction of brake application, pressing the linings toward the drum. There is no fixed relationship between the s-cam shaft rotation and the direction of wrench rotation.
When adjusting a manual slack adjuster, the push rod's behaviour confirms whether adjustment is correct. If the push rod starts pulling out of the brake chamber, the wrench is being turned incorrectly. If the push rod moves into the brake chamber, the brake was previously adjusted incorrectly.
After tightening a manual slack adjuster, back off approximately one-third of a turn as a general guide. The exact amount varies depending on the person and how securely the brake was previously tightened.
During the test, the instructor marks each task the student did NOT correctly perform using the corresponding check box. At the end of the test, the percentages beside each incorrectly performed task are added together (e.g. 5% + 5% + 10% = 20%). A total score equal to or more than 25% results in a fail.
If the student fails the test, the same form must be used for the retest. Steps 2 through 8 (dating, checking boxes, scoring, and signatures) must be repeated. Importantly, a retest cannot be done on the same day as the original test.
Before starting the air brake practical test, the student's first and last name and operator's licence number must be completed. The date of the test must be written in year/month/day format. The instructor's first and last name and their licence/certificate number must be recorded, which may be done before or after the test.
At the end of the test, the instructor must sign their name to verify the test's results. The student must also sign to verify the test results. Both signatures are required to complete the form.
The air brake practical test has a time limit of 15 minutes. If completing the document electronically, use the Save and Print buttons to save and print the form for record keeping.
Every vehicle used to carry Class 1 material (Explosives) must carry a document signed by the owner or the person leasing the vehicle. This document identifies the driver(s) authorized to operate or accompany the vehicle.
If dangerous goods placards and panels are lost, damaged, or defaced during the trip, the carrier is responsible for replacing them.
Every vehicle used to carry Class 1 material (Explosives) must carry a signed document indicating who is authorized to operate or accompany the vehicle.
For complete information on transporting dangerous goods, drivers can contact the Dangerous Goods, Vehicle and Rail Safety Branch in Edmonton.
The air brake knowledge test is conducted by a Registry Agent, comprises thirty multiple choice questions randomly chosen from a question bank. The pass mark is 83%, allowing a maximum of five incorrect answers.
A medical report is required to upgrade to Class 1, 2 or 4. Medical forms must be completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Reports are needed at first application and at set intervals based on age. Drivers are legally responsible to report any disease or disability affecting safe driving.
To operate any vehicle with air brakes you must complete the Alberta Air Brake Program at a licensed driving school or entity and obtain the air brake 'Q' endorsement on your licence.
Detailed air brake information is in the Alberta Air Brake Manual, given when completing the Alberta Air Brake Program at a licensed driving school or entity. Completing the program is required for the Q endorsement.
Do not use a cellular phone or other electronic devices while driving. This includes making/receiving calls and sending/receiving texts, and applies even to hands-free phones. If you must communicate, stop in a safe and legal place first.
The Traffic Safety Act includes fines for specific distractions: using hand-held cell phones; texting/emailing; using electronic devices (laptops, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays); programming portable audio players; entering GPS information; reading printed materials; writing, printing or sketching; and personal grooming.
The air brake knowledge test is conducted by a Registry Agent in the same format as other knowledge tests. It comprises thirty multiple choice questions randomly chosen from a question bank. The pass mark is 83%, allowing a maximum of five incorrect answers. There is a cost for each test attempt.
Cargo must be secured per National Safety Code Standard 10. Commercial trucks over 4,500 kg must ensure cargo cannot leak, spill, blow off, fall, or shift enough to affect vehicle stability. Improper securement results in fines and penalties.
Drivers must not use a cellular phone or other electronic devices while driving. Making/receiving calls or sending/receiving texts is a dangerous distraction. This prohibition also applies to hands-free phones. If you must communicate, stop in a safe and legal place first.
The Traffic Safety Act imposes fines for specific distractions: using a hand-held cell phone; texting or emailing; using electronic devices such as laptops, video games, cameras, and video entertainment displays; programming portable audio players; entering information on GPS units; reading printed materials; writing, printing or sketching; and personal grooming.
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