To drive a bus carrying more than 11 passengers in Alberta, a Class 2 license is required. This license specifically permits the operation of passenger vehicles designed to carry more than ten passengers, making it suitable for larger buses and certain types of shuttle vehicles. The Class 2 license emphasizes the need for the driver to demonstrate specific skills and knowledge pertaining to the safe operation of larger passenger vehicles, which have different handling characteristics compared to standard cars or smaller vehicles.
The Class 5 license is a standard operator’s license for smaller vehicles and does not encompass the ability to operate larger buses. A Class 3 license is intended for vehicles such as trucks with air brakes but doesn't authorize the driver to operate passenger buses with capacities exceeding 10 passengers. A Class 1 license, while it allows for the driving of all types of vehicles including trucks and buses, is typically required for commercial vehicles that fall into the long-haul trucking category, not specifically for buses meant for passenger transport. Therefore, the Class 2 license is the correct choice for this situation.