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Canada · Air brake test

MPI air brake test in Manitoba

Manitoba’s air brake endorsement needs two tests from Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI): a written knowledge test based on the Air Brake Manual, then a practical test on a vehicle with air brakes. You book the MPI air brake test through an Autopac agent. The knowledge test isn’t open book, and phones and other devices aren’t allowed.

  • Class 5LLicence you need before writing
  • 8 weeksFurthest ahead you can book a test
  • 30 minutesTime limit for the knowledge test
Find an Autopac agent to book

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

How much does the MPI air brake test cost?

ItemFee
Knowledge test$12
Air brake practical test$35
Class 1, 2 or 3 road test$50

There’s no extra charge for the practical air brake test when you take a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 road test in a vehicle with air brakes.

Booking and retakes

  • Most knowledge and road tests are by appointment, on weekdays, booked through an Autopac agent up to eight weeks ahead. Winnipeg also has Saturday appointments.
  • Walk-in knowledge tests are at MPI’s Gateway Service Centre in Winnipeg, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Buy the test first, then bring proof of purchase, valid ID and a completed Medical Examination Report.
  • If you fail the air brake knowledge test, you can retake it the next working day.

Class 1 and the air brake component

For Class 1, the air brake test is part of the road test and can’t be taken separately. The pre-trip inspection has three parts, the inspection, the air brake test and coupling, and you must pass all three. No separate air brake endorsement is issued until you pass the full Class 1 test, and if you already hold one, you still do the air brake part of the road test.

Class 1 entry-level training hours →

The S endorsement and other Manitoba rules

  • Adjusting manual slack adjusters needs an S air brake endorsement. You can take the S test within one month of passing the air brake practical test, and only after passing the automatic slack adjustment part.
  • Class 3 or 5 vehicles with air brakes that are registered as farm vehicles don’t need the endorsement.
  • You need the endorsement for air-over-hydraulic brakes, and you qualify by passing the knowledge test and a regular single-unit air brake practical test.
  • A learner may drive with air brakes while supervised by someone who has held an air brake endorsement for at least two years.
Slack adjusters and adjustment →

Studying for the MPI air brake test

The knowledge test is based on MPI’s Air Brake Manual. MPI’s testing page offers the air brake knowledge test in English, French or Punjabi; road and practical tests are in English or French. The 2022 manual lists only English and French, so go by the testing page.

Manitoba Public Insurance: Air Brake Manual (PDF) ↗Other provinces’ manuals →
Sources: Manitoba Public Insurance and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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