To apply for a driver's license, applicants must bring valid identification (passport, Permanent Resident Card, valid study or work permits, visitor visa, etc.) and two proofs of residency in Manitoba (health card, bank statement, utility bills, rent receipt, home loan documents, etc.) to any Autopac or MPI Service Centre. There, they can take the written test (registration fee is 10 Canadian dollars). The test consists of 30 multiple-choice questions, and passing requires no more than 6 incorrect answers. Chinese language tests are available.

After passing the written test, if the applicant does not have a driver's license from another country/region, they will receive a 5L license. They must wait 9 months before they can apply for a road test. If they have a driver's license from another country/region (e.g., China), they will receive a 5A license upon surrendering their foreign license and can take the road test immediately without the 9-month wait. The road test registration fee is 30 Canadian dollars. Note that both 5L and 5A are learner's licenses; holders cannot drive alone unless accompanied by a supervisor with at least 3 years of 5F license experience.

Effective September 1, 2018, Manitoba regulation states that driving schools can no longer reserve road test appointments for students. Thus, students themselves must sign up for the road test at any MPI or Autopac location. Starting May 2019, online registration through the MPI website is available.

Road tests include:

• Parallel parking

• Real-world driving operations

• Parking maneuvers

Students must provide their own vehicles for the test, which can be rented from the driving school. Test centers do not provide vehicles.

The vehicle used must be insured, with functioning front and rear turn signals, brake lights, horn, and other equipment, and must be safe and legal for road use. Test-takers should arrive at least 15 minutes early at the test center; if they still have a foreign driver's license, they need to arrive at least one hour early for processing.

Learner's licenses (require a supervisor in the passenger seat):

• 5L (Learner): Must wait 9 months after the written test to take the road test. Passing the road test upgrades the license to 5I (Intermediate), allowing solo driving.

• 5A (Authorized Instruction): Immediately eligible for the road test after the written test if exchanged with a foreign license. Passing the road test upgrades the license to 5F (Full Stage).

Driver's licenses after passing the road test (for solo driving):

• 5I (Intermediate): Solo driving allowed, but no passengers in the back seat from midnight to 5 AM unless a supervisor is in the passenger seat. The driver must maintain a zero blood alcohol level. Eligible to upgrade to 5F (Full Stage) after a minimum of 15 months.

• 5F (Full Stage): Solo driving allowed. For the first 36 months, the driver must maintain a zero blood alcohol level. After 36 months, the license is upgraded to supervisor status.

Manitoba's driver's licenses do not differentiate between manual and automatic transmissions.