Driving Tests

How to Get a Class 5L Learner Licence in Manitoba (2026 Steps)

informational·how to guide·Published October 2, 2026

How do I get a Class 5L learner licence in Manitoba?

You must be at least 16, or 15 years and 6 months as a high school driver education student. Under 18, a parent or legal guardian must consent. Register with Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI), pass the CAD 12 knowledge test and meet the vision and medical standards. Then buy the licence for CAD 20 plus driver premiums. Hold it at least 9 months before the road test.

Where these rules come from

The steps follow the MPI Driver's Handbook page on Class 5 licences, the MPI Graduated Driver Licensing guide (August 2026) and the Driver Licensing Regulation (M.R. 47/2006). The nine-month rule is in The Drivers and Vehicles Act, and the CAD 12 test charge is in the Charges Regulation (M.R. 42/2006). This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with Manitoba Public Insurance (mpi.mb.ca) before you drive.

Steps to get your Class 5L licence in Manitoba

1
Check your age
The minimum age is 16. A high school driver education student can apply from 15 years and 6 months. The FAQ below gives the conditions.
2
Get a parent's approval if you are under 18
A parent or legal guardian must give written approval for the licence. The same approval is needed before you take the knowledge test.
3
Register as an MPI customer
Register with Manitoba Public Insurance and show proper identification documents. The easiest place to register is an Autopac agent.
4
Tell Driver Fitness about a medical condition
If you have a disease or disability that may affect safe driving, tell Driver Fitness before the knowledge test. Call 204-985-1900, or toll-free 1-866-617-6676.
5
Pay for and pass the knowledge test
Pay for the test and book your appointment at any Autopac agent. The charge is CAD 12 for each test.
6
Meet the vision and medical standards
You must meet both standards to get a licence. MPI may ask for vision or medical information first.
7
Buy the licence
After you pass the test and meet the standards, you buy the learner licence before you drive. The next section gives the cost.

What does a Class 5L licence cost in Manitoba?

The learner licence costs CAD 20 plus base driver premium charges of up to CAD 45, plus any applicable additional driver premium. The knowledge test is a separate CAD 12 charge for each attempt. If you take the Driver Education Program, its charges include one knowledge test.

What is on the Manitoba knowledge test?

The test checks what you know about traffic laws, safe driving practices and road signs. It is a closed-book test, and you cannot use a phone or another electronic device. You can take it in English or French, and the Class 5 knowledge test is also available in more than 20 other languages. Try the practice question on what the Class 5 knowledge test assesses.

What if I fail the test or need a medical check?

You fail the knowledge test

In the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program, you wait seven days before you take the test again.

MPI asks for a medical report

Driver Fitness must approve the report before you can take the knowledge test or enrol in the driver education course. Manitoba Health does not pay for this report or its tests, so you pay these costs.

You need corrective lenses or another restriction to drive

The restriction is shown on your driver's licence.

You do not meet the minimum medical or vision standards

You may not be eligible for a driver's licence.

What paper do I get first?

You get a temporary driver's licence certificate that is valid for up to 45 days. Carry it with you at all times until the one-piece driver's licence arrives in the mail. For your first licence, you get your photo taken at an Autopac agent or an MPI Service Centre. You need a new photo every five years.

Rules while you drive with a Class 5L

A supervising driver must be with you, and only the supervising driver may sit in the front passenger seat.
Your supervisor must hold a valid Class 1F, 2F, 3F, 4F or 5F licence and must have held a full-stage licence of Class 5 or higher for at least three years. The guide to supervising driver rules has the full list.
You cannot have drugs or alcohol in your system when you drive.

How long do I stay in Class 5L?

Under The Drivers and Vehicles Act, a new driver must hold the learner stage licence for at least nine months before moving to the intermediate stage. After the nine months, you may apply for the Class 5 road test. A pass moves you to Class 5I, the intermediate stage.

Key takeaways

The minimum age is 16, or 15 years and 6 months in high school driver education. Under 18, a parent or legal guardian must consent.
Register with MPI at an Autopac agent, pass the CAD 12 knowledge test and meet the vision and medical standards.
The licence costs CAD 20 plus base driver premium charges of up to CAD 45, plus any applicable additional driver premium.
Hold the Class 5L for at least nine months before the road test.
Next step: practise on the free Manitoba Class 5 practice test, in English only.

Class 5L questions in Manitoba

Can I get a learner's licence in Manitoba at 15?

Only from 15 years and 6 months. The Driver Licensing Regulation lets MPI issue a Class 5L at that age to a student who is enrolled in a high school driver education course and has completed its online training and classroom instruction. MPI calls this course Driver Z. A student under 16 also gives a completed driver education form before the knowledge test.

How many passengers can ride with me on a Class 5L?

Only your supervising driver may sit in the front passenger seat. Other passengers must ride in the back seat, and their number cannot be more than the number of working seatbelts in the back.

Can I tow a trailer with a Class 5L?

No. A learner may not tow a vehicle. A learner also may not drive a Class 3 vehicle registered as a farm truck, or drive an off-road vehicle along or across a highway unless the learner holds at least a Class 6I licence.

Does time with a suspended licence count toward the nine months?

No. You earn credit in the learner stage only while your licence is valid. Time does not count while your licence is invalid, cancelled, prohibited or suspended, so a suspension makes the wait for the road test longer.

Can I get a motorcycle licence while I have a Class 5L?

Yes. A learner may apply for a Class 6L motorcycle licence. First you get the Motorcycle Training Course Stage licence, and then you must complete an approved motorcycle training course. A learner cannot apply for Authorized Instruction in the commercial Classes 1 to 4.