Changes to the driver licensing system

Farm-restricted Class 1 licence

Effective April 1, 2024, eligible farmers and their immediate family members may apply for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence.

The farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence allows Alberta farmers to operate Class 1 vehicles for specified farming activities within Alberta.
This change is intended to relieve pressures on Alberta farm families by exempting them from the requirement for training and providing them with a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence that allows them to transport their own goods.
There will be penalties for drivers found to be misusing their farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence – by using it for purposes other than specified farming activities within Alberta.
To find out how to get this licence, see this page: Farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence.

Effective April 1, 2025, the Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) program changes to a new Class 1 Learning Pathway for commercial drivers.

The new, made-in-Alberta Class 1 Learning Pathway is being designed as an apprenticeship-style model to increase driver skills, improve safety and enhance training for current and prospective Class 1 drivers in Alberta.
The apprenticeship-style model will offer a learning pathway for Albertans to develop the skills to succeed and advance in their career as a professional driver.
Drivers will proceed through phases while training to become a Class 1 driver.
Phases are currently under development in partnership with industry members. More information about these changes will be announced closer to the implementation date of April 1, 2025.
To learn more about the learning pathway, review this document: New Made-in Alberta Learning Pathway for Professional Drivers.

Connect with us about these licensing changes:

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