Obtaining a Class 1 licence will give you a number of employment opportunities. Driving truck presents a great deal of autonomy, and for many there is little work outside in the elements, which means the driver is warm and out of the weather. At times however, the weather can provide unique driving experiences, especially in the province of British Columbia. Many who adopt trucking as a career enjoy traveling to new places and working through the challenges that this exciting industry can present.For those able to be away from home for days or weeks at a time, long haul trucking companies can offer a training program, reasonable runs and competitive wages. Greater wages come with experience and specialized equipment, such as ‘Super Bs’, flatdecks or covered wagons.For those wanting to stay closer to home, there are ample opportunities to drive locally, operating dump trucks with pups, buses, and tanker trucks. All of which offer competitive wages.

To apply for a Class One licence the applicant must be 19-years-old. A Class One licence will allow you to operate semi-trailer trucks and all other motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles except motorcycles (class 6). In other words, with a ‘Class 1′ licence a driver can legally operate all vehicles in the ‘Class 1 to Class 5′ classifications, such as Super ‘B’ trailers, buses, dump trucks with pups, or fire trucks. Often a Class ‘1’ licence will make you more attractive to employer, owing to the flexibility of you being able to operate a range of vehicles.

Learning to operate a 75’ (23m) truck and trailer combination with a non-synchro mesh transmission and air brakes can be challenging indeed. At CSTT, one of our ICBC licenced instructors will work with you one-on-one. Here you will learn shifting, the pre-trip inspection, coupling/uncoupling, backing, turning and safely maneuvering the unit in traffic.When learning to operate a semi-trailer, students most formidable challenge comes with shifting and double-clutching. After several lessons of operating the vehicle in a controlled environment with minimal turns, students are faced with the next component of truck driving – turning the vehicle safely on city streets. For most students, it takes some time to understand that they are driving the trailer and not the truck. In other words, the tractor goes out of the lane and the trailer stays in the lane.

• Air Brake Endorsement 20 hours
• —————————————- $250
• Highway & Mountain Driving 12 hours
• —————————————- $1200
• B Train & Flatdecks 12 hours
• —————————————- $1200
• Defensive Driving (Smith System)
• —————————————- $180
• Specialized Truck Theory 2 hours
• —————————————- $180
• Load Security 2 hours
• —————————————- $180
• Forklift Safety
• —————————————- $160
• WHMIS
• —————————————- $50
• Dangerous Goods
• —————————————- $100

For those searching for a career that allows them to work with the public, driving a bus may be the perfect fit for a new career. Regardless of the type of driving job, passenger safety must remain the driver’s first priority. In the many different jobs as a bus driver all require that a schedule be followed. Driving a bus offers many employment opportunities. For those wanting to be home every night, working as transit, school bus driver, or short haul coach captain for companies such as Pacific Coach may provide excellent employment. For those who do not mind being away from home for periods of time, working for Greyhound or as a tour coach driver may offer the perfect job opportunity. Whether working for Greyhound or as a tour bus driver, the job requires that drivers handle passenger concerns, luggage, some times freight, and wear a uniform. When laid over, drivers sleep in hotels and have access to hot showers – although generally speaking, a number of Greyhound’s hotels provide only basic essentials.

• Buses, including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles
• Trailers or towed vehicles not exceeding 4,600 kilograms except if the bus and trailers or towed vehicles do not have air brakes
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 4 & Class 5

As a bus driver, your first priority is passenger safety. All driving, offloading, and freight handling decisions must be made with this priority firmly in the front of your mind. For those students moving toward a career as a tour, coach, or transit bus operator, they will learn that the unit responds differently owing to the driver’s seating position, located in front of the steer axles. At CSTT, one of our team of ICBC licenced instructors will work with you to teach you about passenger safety, pre- and post-trip inspections, loading and off-loading passengers, emergency breakdowns, and safely maneuvering the unit in city traffic.

Most Class 2 licence courses begin with 12 hours of training including use of our bus for the road test. The cost for this basic package is approximately $1,500. 

Most straight trucks are used for local delivery and often operate within a 2-300km radius of their home terminal. Obtaining a Class 3 licence can present the applicant with a wealth of different opportunities from driving general freight trucks, fire trucks or dump trucks. Local municipalities and transport companies use a number of specialty trucks. These range from flat decks equipped with hoists used by local lumber companies, to tanker trucks used to suck debris out of storms drains, to refrigeration trucks used for local food deliveries.

• Applicant must be 18 years of age
• Trucks with more than two axles, such as dump trucks and large tow trucks, but not including a bus that is being used to transport passengers
• Trailers may not exceed 4,600 kilograms except if the truck and trailers do not have air brakes
• A tow car towing a vehicle of any weight
• A mobile truck crane
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

For new drivers learning to operate Class 3 vehicles, shifting a manual non-synchro mesh transmission presents the greatest challenge. If the vehicle is equipped with air brakes, as most straight trucks are, the pre-trip will also present some challenges to learning. Of course, it goes without saying that turning and maneuvering a large vehicle in city traffic requires the trainee to acquire new skills.

Depending on a student’s ability and what training options they might choose, costs to obtain a ‘Class 3’ licence range from $2,000 to $4,000.The Class 3 automatic training course is 3-4 hour lessons. The last lesson is combined with a road test. The cost of the course is $1440.00.Listed below are some of the options available:

• Practical driving instruction, pre-trips and road test
• Air Brake Endorsement 20 hours $250
• Defensive Driving
• Pretrip Inspection
• Forklift Safety $160
• WHMIS $50
• Dangerous Goods $100

Most higher class licence training is billed at $100/hr.

A Class 4 licence presents a number of exciting opportunities for those wishing to upgrade their licence. In some instances those upgrading to a Class 4 licence are already employed with a company, volunteer organization or church group that requires a driver for a small bus or special vehicle which that organization currently owns. In upgrading to a Class 4 licence, these employees and volunteers increase their contribution to the organization for which they work. Those working toward becoming paramedics often seek to upgrade their licence to Class 4 in order that they may driver the ambulance. Others seek a Class 4 so that they can seek employment as a taxi or limousine driver.

• 19 years of age
• Buses with a maximum seating capacity of 25 persons (including the driver), including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles used to transport people with disabilities
• Taxis and limousines
• Ambulances
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

For new drivers learning to operate Class 4 vehicles, one of the greatest challenges can be working with public, particularly if they are working with people with disabilities, or people that have sustained injuries in an accident. Despite the some times challenging aspects of working with the public, passenger safety must remain foremost in the driver’s mind. To ensure riders’ safety, the driver must conduct a thorough pre-trip, ensure that all required paperwork is filled out correctly and drive defensively. Most importantly, when picking up or dropping off passengers, this must be done at a place where passengers are safe and out of traffic.

The course is seven hours in length including the time for the ICBC Exam. The course trains the student to conduct a comprehensive pre-trip inspection, ensure passenger safety and drive defensively. A fifteen-passenger van is used for training and the road test.

At Crossroads we are committed to teaching students how to be safe, responsible drivers. We understand that everyone is different and may not have the same level of confidence. Therefore, lessons from our ICBC Certified instructors will be both enjoyable and helpful in building the confidence you need to become a responsible driver. We offer training to both beginners just starting out, and to more experienced drivers who just need a refresher. Our lessons are done in a safety approved late model vehicle which contains dual controls. Individual and lesson packages are available as well as assessments for road tests and seniors. We do encourage new drivers to get as much supervised practice driving as possible, as you work towards getting your license.

All students will be required to hold a valid Learners license and they will also be responsible for all ICBC fees which will include knowledge tests, licensing, and road test.

In our driving lessons we will stress the importance of responsible driving and the need to drive defensively. The lessons will include:

• Starting, Stopping & Turning Techniques
• Controlled Braking
• Mirrors & Blind Spots
• Backing & Parking
• Learning to Always Leave Yourself an Out
• Control Through Intersections
• Safe Following Distances & Defensive Driving
• Defensive driving

• Learners license (knowledge test) fee $15
• Class 5 Road test fee $50
• Class 7 Road test fee $35
• All exams, seniors (drivers aged 65 years and older) No charge
• Licensing fee $17

Lessons $135.00 for a 90 minute lesson (PST & GST included) Lesson packages available, please call 250.652.7623 or 250.655.0432 for more information.

Invented in the 19th century by George Westinghouse and first employed to stop trains, air brakes were fitted to trucks and other large vehicles in the 1920s. Since that time, air brakes have proven to be both reliable and safe. Unlike hydraulic brakes, air brakes systems work effectively over large distances in bigger vehicles and are tolerant to small leaks. With the addition of emergency spring brakes and system’s division into primary and secondary systems, air brakes have become the preferred method of stopping large vehicles such as RVs and tandem axle trucks. Like any machine however, the system is still prone to failure – often as a result of driver error or negligence. Authorities have mandated that all drivers operating air brake equipped vehicles take this course as part of their professional training. Chapters 1,2,8,9 & part of 10 from Driving Commercial Vehicles are the ICBC guides for this endorsement.

Air Brake Course (Air Brake Training) totals 20 hours of training: 16 hours of theory and 4 hours of practical training, practice, and evaluation. Upon completing the 16-hour weekend course, students make an appointment with CSTT Driver Training to return and complete the practical exam administered by one of the school’s instructors.

• Introduction to Air Brakes
• Stopping Large Vehicles
• Basic Air Brake System
• Service Brakes
• Fail-Safe Braking Sub-System
• Trailer Air Brake Sub-System
• Foundation Brakes & Accessories
• Air Brake Pre Trip Inspection
• Air Brake Adjustment

After successfully completing the Air Brake Training and practical exam, the student has 90 days to complete the ICBC written exam, which consists of twenty-five questions. The student must answer 20 quesitions correctly (80%) to receive a passing grade. Upon passing the exam and paying all related fees, the student will then have the air brake endorsement added to her licence.

The cost of CSTT’s 20-hour course is $250.00.

February 21 & 22, March 14 & 15, April 18 & 19, May 23 & 24

Although most truck and trailer combinations where the trailer exceeds 4,600 kilograms are equipped with air brakes, some units without air brakes exist. To obtain this endorsement, the towing vehicle must be a single axle truck; otherwise the driver is required to obtain a Class 3 licence. Many of these units are still employed on farms, the building supply industry, and in a limited way in construction. Often these vehicle combinations are employed to move skid steer loaders or other mid-size construction equipment.

• Trailers or towed vehicles exceeding 4,600 kilograms provided neither the truck nor trailer has air brakes
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

For new drivers obtaining their heavy trailer endorsement, the pre-trip inspection presents a challenge. A pre-trip inspection however, is the key to a safe vehicle while driving on the highway. The increased weight of the vehicle, reduced acceleration and longer braking distances require the driver to acquire new skills that will allow him to make adjustments for the combination vehicle’s unique handling characteristics. Further, the driver will now be dealing with larger blind spots and will need to adjust his driving accordingly. And owing to the increased height of the vehicle, drivers need to develop an awareness of low bridges, overpasses, covered fuel stations, and other projections from buildings which may potentially damage the unit. This course trains the student to conduct:

• comprehensive pre-trip inspection
• back the unit safely
• drive defensively
• manoeuvre the vehicle on the highway
• drive in city traffic
• operate in confined spaces such as yards and fuelling stations

If you are using your equipment, the cost is $450.00.If you are using our equipment, the cost is $600.00.

Simply speaking, there are two types of spinal cord injuries: paraplegic and quadriplegic. The latter type of injury and other impairments are much more severe, and these people require sophisticated alterations to a vehicle to return to driving. At CSTT Driver Training we can provide training for people requiring hand controls or those that suffered a brain injury and are returning to driving as advised by their doctorFor most people with disabilities, the first hurdle is moving themselves into and out of their vehicle. For those with sufficient range of motion and upper-body strength a sedan with hand controls often fits their needs. They can transfer from the wheelchair to the driver’s seat, some times with the aid of a transfer board. Once in the driver’s seat, she can then disassemble the chair and lift it inside.

Others with less mobility and strength may require a pick-up truck. Because of the different elevations of the wheelchair and the driver’s seat however, the vehicle will be fitted with a hydraulic seat or lift board. The latter allows the driver to slide onto the small bench, which lifts them to the same level as the seat. Once in the driver’s seat, the lift seat folds away. The back of the pick-up truck is equipped with a topper and a winch. The topper is mounted on hydraulics. When activated, the topper lifts and the winch swings out. The driver attaches the winch cable to the wheelchair, activates the winch and their wheelchair is hoisted into the back of the truck and the topper closes.

For the most part, hand controls are located near the steering wheel on the lower left side. To operate the accelerator, the lever is pulled toward the driver; conversely, the brake is operated by pushing the lever forward. The forward momentum of the vehicle is transferred to the driver’s arm and assists with braking the vehicle.

Drivers who are rehabilitating after an ailment experience a learning curve due to the operation of the vehicle with their hand. The motor-skills learned to operate a vehicle are initially in the lower extremities. Operating a motor-vehicle with hand controls requires that a driver now transfer these fine motor-skills to their hands and arms.

For the bulk of students, driver education involves learning advanced hazard recognition skills. Underpinning these skills are speed and space management, which forms the cornerstone of safe driving. Hazard recognition includes developing an acute awareness of road signs, signals and lights. As well, the interpretation of traffic patterns and clues to the intentions of drivers remains paramount.

Because drivers with disabilities are not new drivers, most require 10 – 20 hours of instruction. The first lesson—as mentioned above—assesses the driver’s abilities. For instance, if the driver’s range of motion is limited, she may not execute shoulder checks properly. To compensate, the vehicle is equipped with convex mirrors that allow blind spots to be checked while driving. In other cases, the person may require additional support, such as a chest strap that allows her to properly operate the vehicle’s controls.

Lift trucks are pervasive throughout industry, lifting and moving freight ranging from 45-gallon drums to rolls of carpet. Loading a truck without a fork truck in today’s trucking world remains almost non-existant. Despite their extensive use, a number of “avoidable” workplace accidents happen, often as a result of operator error. At CSTT Driver Training, we cover both theory and practical safety aspects of operating a lift truck. The course can either be conducted with CSTT’s equipment or at the customer’s location using their equipment. Our course certifies students in accordance with workplace safety standards and regulations. Students will learn pre-trips inspection, safe operating and lifting procedures, and location hazards that will allow operators to prevent injury to themselves or others.

• Lift-related topics including all operating instructions, warnings, and precautions for the types of forklifts used in the employees’ workplace
• Controls and instrumentation
• Location of controls and instrumentation
• Their purpose; and how they operate
• Engine operation & configurations
• Steering and maneuvering
• Visibility (including restrictions due to loading)
• Fork and attachment adaptation
• Operation, and use limitations
• Vehicle capacity (weight and load center)
• Vehicle stability (with and without load and attachments)
• Vehicle inspection and maintenance the operator will be required to perform
• Refueling and/or charging and recharging batteries
• Operating limitations
• Instructions, warning, or precautions for the type of vehicle which the employee will operate.

The duration of the full course is 8 hours – $435. This full-day course can either be conducted at CSTT Driver Training or at the client’s facility. This course is designed for those that have little or no experience with forklifts. Forklift Certification is a 4-hour course and cost $160.00. Certification entails a theory portion, and a theoretical and practical exam. This forklift training is for emplyees that have been operating a lift truck, but do not have paperwork to illustrate claimed experience. It is also for those employees that have been operating a forklift, but have not been previously certified. Forklift recertification renews an employee’s certification at the end of a two-year forklift certification cycle – the cost of the course is $80 and is 2 hours.

CSTT trainers will provide participants with an understanding of the safe and efficient handling of Hazardous Products in your workplace. In doing so, CSTT assists your company in meeting its obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and specifically the WHMIS Regulations. If you have any questions about WHMIS training, please contact us so we can assist you further. When the course is completed each trainee will receive a wallet size certified WHMIS certificate (Card). The WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) course is divided into two parts. The first educates workers about the WHMIS system, which alerts them to precautions that are required when handling potentially hazardous materials in the workplace. Otherwise, these materials used in the workplace could injure them or their colleagues. The second part refers to the procedures and protocol in on-site information related to their workplace. This component covers work and emergency procedures. Both aspects of the training are an important part of understanding the hazards that could materialize at an employee’s workplace.

• what is it?
• Discuss duties of employer, supervisor, worker
• Warning symbols, MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) updated
• Review details of MSDS
• Review and discuss classifications of hazardous materials and their effects
• Routes of entry
• Explain toxic
• Explain common ailments caused by substance exposure
• Controlling use, handling and storage of hazards products
• Give WHMIS quiz and explain any incorrect answers

Length Of WHMIS Course: Two (2) Hours

• A spill which may cause adverse health or safety effects to people.
• Spills which may cause adverse effect(s) on the natural environment.
• Environmental spill which may contaminate the storm or sanitary sewer system
• A substance spilled which may damage property, equipment, machinery or materials.

The successful passing of an examination is necessary to obtain the certificate. The cost of the course is $50.

If you are planning on shipping any items that are classified as Dangerous Goods, you need to have successfully completed a course in the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and attain a valid certification. TDG for Drivers is a effective course designed specifically for drivers who transport dangerous goods. The course fulfills the general training requirements for drivers as established by both Transport Canada (federal) and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (British Columbia). This course is designed for both novice and professional drivers alike.

Based on historical accidents, risks, and research Transport Canada develops safety standards and regulations that govern the transportation of dangerous goods. Through the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC) this federal organization provides expert advice and policies on the transportation of goods that present a hazard to our environment and our health. In the event of a dangerous goods accident, Transport Canada provides expert advice on its cleanup. Transport Canada works to promote public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport in Canada.

In British Columbia the Transport of Dangerous Goods Act and the Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulation govern the transportation of dangerous goods. In conjunction with the federal TDG Program, the TDG program promotes safety in British Columbia. The provincial program is limited to road transportation, while the federal program focuses on all transportation modes and the inter-jurisdictional movement of dangerous goods. The provincial regulations follow suit with the federal standards, thus making a TDG certificate valid in most provinces in Canada and the United States.

Need your personnel certified with a Crossing Guard Safety course? CSTT Driver Training offers a 4-hour course which certifies crossing guards.

The crossing guard assumes a big responsibility when helping children cross busy roads on their way to and from school. Traffic is in a hurry, and children don’t always pay attention to the dangers and hazards present on roadways. Crossing guards shoulder a significant responsibility to assist children and others to safely cross the roadway.

A crossing guard is defined as an adult employed to supervise and expedite the crossing of school children at complex, hazardous or congested locations.

A number of people taking a certification program may have been working as a crossing guard for some time. The course is designed such that it draws on the knowledge and skills of veteran crossing guards; therefore, these students provide detailed and valuable information for other crossing guards that may be less experienced.

As a result of the diversity of experience among students, the program draws from recent pedagogy in adult education and facilitates discussion. An interactive forum for learning is thus created, which encourages and motivates students to discuss, comment and provide a wealth of information that may not otherwise be available.

The course draws on law, traffic safety, and child development for its source material. Students learn about roads signs, rules of the road, and legislation that govern both their actions as crossing guards and the movement of traffic. As well, students are informed about safety equipment, communication, interpreting the traffic environments in which they will be working and techniques that augment the safe crossing of pedestrians.

Most who purchase a new camper trailer, or upgrade to a larger unit are TrailerParkexcited about getting out and experiencing all that our magnificent region has to offer. In light of this euphoria, operators need to be aware that authorities require drivers to successfully pass both a written and practical exam for any trailer exceeding 4,600 kilograms (10,000 lbs). Although advances in materials and design have made trailers lighter, the addition of numerous creature comforts and slides have significantly increased overall weights. Be sure you know the weight of your unit by getting it weighed at a public scale.

• Recreational (house) trailers exceeding 4,600 kilograms provided neither the truck nor the trailer has air brakes
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

For new drivers obtaining their house trailer endorsement, the pre-trip inspection House Trailer presents a challenge. A pre-trip inspection however, is the key to a safe vehicle while driving on the highway. A pre-trip inspection can also save the owner’s expenses on the highway by detecting problems before she begins her journey. Also, the increased weight of the vehicle, reduced acceleration and longer braking distances require the driver to acquire new skills that will allow her to make adjustments for the combination vehicle’s unique handling characteristics. Further, the driver will now be dealing with larger blind spots and will need to adjust her driving accordingly. And owing to the increased height of the vehicle, drivers need to develop an awareness of low bridges, overpasses, covers over fuel stations, and other projections from buildings which may potentially damage the unit.

The house trailer endorsement course trains the student to conduct a comprehensive pre-trip inspection, back the unit safely, and drive defensively. The driver also learns new skills that will allow them to safely manoeuvre the vehicle on the highway, in city traffic, and in confined spaces such as campgrounds and fuelling stations. The cost is approximately $800.00 for training and the use of our equipment.