Manitoba Drivers Handbook

Table of Contents

• Establishing Identity
• Class Licence System
• Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)
• Traffic Signs and Signals
• Driving Practices
• Vehicle Equipment
• Emergency Procedures
• Environmental Considerations

Establishing Your Identity

• Required for obtaining a Manitoba driver's license or ID.
• Aligns with North American standards to prevent identity theft.
• Must provide documents proving birth date, legal name, photograph, and Manitoba residence.

Class Licence System

• Class 1: Semi-trailer trucks (minimum age 18, requires MELT).
• Class 2: Buses with seating over 24 passengers.
• Class 3: Trucks with more than two axles.
• Class 4: Emergency vehicles, smaller buses.
• Class 5: Passenger cars and small trucks.
• Class 6: Motorcycles (minimum age 16).

Basic Class 5 Licensing Requirements

• Must pass a knowledge test.
• Road test required to advance stages.
• Various retesting conditions apply (collisions, suspensions).

Graduated Driver Licensing Program

• Learner Stage (Class 5L): Minimum 9 months, no drugs/alcohol, supervising driver required.
• Intermediate Stage (Class 5I): Minimum 15 months, limited passengers.
• Full Stage (Class 5F): After 15 months in Intermediate, must remain drug/alcohol-free initially.

Application and Test Requirements

• Knowledge test: $10 fee, requires registration and ID.
• Vision and medical standards must be met.
• Road Test: Must provide a properly registered and insured vehicle.

Safe and Legal Driving Practices

Signs and Signals

• Importance of recognizing sign shapes and colors.
• Regulatory and warning signs guide traffic flow.

Starting, Lane Changing, and Turning

• Proper use of signals and shoulder checks.
• Differences between right and left turns.

Driving Responsibly

• Maintain safe speeds and distances.
• Special attention to large vehicles and emergency vehicles.

Sharing the Road

• Cyclists: Follow same rules as motorists, awareness of cyclist positioning is crucial.

Parking

• Techniques for parallel, angle, and reverse angle parking.
• Specific rules about hill parking and illegal parking.

Vehicle Equipment

• Regular checks of brakes, lights, tires, mirrors, and other critical components.
• Legal requirements for operating a safe vehicle.

Driving Emergencies

• Procedures for handling skids, blowouts, and other emergencies.
• Emphasis on maintaining control and safety.

Collisions

• Immediate actions required at collision scenes.
• Legal requirements for reporting and exchanging information.

Impaired Driving

• Severe penalties for drug/alcohol impairment.
• Immediate roadside suspensions and potential criminal charges.

Driver Safety Rating and Programs

• Safe driving rewards, poor driving results in higher premiums.
• Programs available for mature drivers and those with disabilities.

Environmental Considerations

• Importance of vehicle maintenance to reduce emissions.
• Techniques for fuel-efficient driving.

Additional Information

• Organ donation registry details.
• Contact information for reporting collisions and claim processing.

This handbook provides an overview of safe driving practices, licensing requirements, and the legal implications of driving in Manitoba.