Page 261 - Driving Commercial Vehicles Manual+

driving commercial vehicles

Industrial air brake endorsement

An industrial air brake endorsement on your driver’s licence permits you to
fast fact operate unlicensed vehicles that are equipped with air brakes and used to
transport natural resources on industrial roads. These vehicles include dump
An industrial air brake trucks and logging trucks. Some logging trucks travelling on industrial roads
endorsement is sometimes carry loads that are two to three times the size of those carried by logging
called an off-highway trucks on public roads. The loads transported on industrial roads may also be
endorsement. longer and wider than the loads permitted on public roads.
You don’t need an industrial air brake endorsement to operate every type of
vehicle that is equipped with air brakes on industrial roads. The exceptions
include skidders, loaders, graders and yarders.
There are two types of industrial air brake endorsements:

• Code 18 permits you to drive on industrial roads while operating an
unlicensed single-unit vehicle equipped with air brakes.
• Code 19 permits you to drive on industrial roads while operating an
unlicensed single-unit vehicle or a combination vehicle equipped with
air brakes.
The relevant endorsement will be printed in the “restrictions” section of your
driver’s licence.

How to apply for an industrial air brake
endorsement

Apply for an industrial air brake endorsement at a driver licensing office. You’ll
be required to:
• Submit a medical report form completed by a B.C.-licensed physician who
knows your medical history. The form is available at driver licensing offices.
• Submit a letter of proficiency from a current or previous employer.
Note: The letter of proficiency must outline your industrial air brake
experience. The letter must also include a list of the types of vehicles you
have operated and the total amount of time you’ve operated them. The
minimum acceptable time is three months.
• Pass an air brake knowledge test.
You’ll receive a temporary licence with an industrial air brake endorsement
after you successfully complete the test and pay the fee for your new driver’s
licence. Your new photo licence will be mailed to you.

Driver’s duty to inspect vehicles

You must determine that your vehicle is in safe operating condition before
you drive it. This is part of your job and your responsibility as a professional
driver. If you operate your vehicle when it’s not safe, you’re putting yourself
and others at risk.
Taking the time for pre-trip inspections can prevent costly en route delays and
reduce the chances of a crash caused by a mechanical failure.

248