A bus licence is a responsibility you keep current, not a one-time pass.
- Demerit points: a Class B or E licence holder may not accumulate more than 8 demerit points. Exceeding that triggers an automatic downgrade to the next-highest class the driver is still eligible for. Demerit points stay on your record for 2 years from the offence date.
- Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs: commercial drivers (Classes A through F) must have no alcohol or drugs in their system while driving. There is no "legal limit" for a working bus driver, the limit is zero.
- Medical reporting: a doctor who finds a condition that could affect safe driving, such as a stroke or heart condition, must report it to the Ministry of Transportation. The licence may be suspended until medical evidence shows the condition no longer poses a safety risk.
- Vehicle inspections: a bus must receive annual and semi-annual inspections by a licensed mechanic, on top of the driver's daily inspection.
Common mistake: thinking the demerit ceiling and the zero-alcohol rule are the same as for a regular Class G driver. They are stricter. A bus driver is held to a higher standard precisely because they carry the public.
🧠 Memory hook: "8 points, 0 alcohol, 2 years", 8 is the ceiling 0 is the alcohol limit, 2 years is how long points linger.
Recall: What happens if a Class B or E holder goes over 8 demerit points? What blood-alcohol level may a commercial driver have at the wheel?