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Part of Search public engagements

Commercial driver and road test engagement

Gathered feedback on initiatives to improve training and oversight of the commercial truck and bus industry and driver road test services.

Status: Completed
Ministry responsible: Transportation
Completed: 2018

Overview

Safety on Alberta roads is a top priority. We explored 3 initiatives to strengthen the training, testing and oversight of all drivers, particularly those in the commercial trucking industry:

  • modifying the road test model for all driver's licence classes
  • mandatory entry level training for commercial truck and bus drivers
  • pre-entry requirements for new commercial carriers

Driver examiner road test model (complete)

Albertans and stakeholders provided feedback on 2 key areas: returning to a government-run road test program and standardizing road test fees across the province, to address the following issues:

  • Alberta is currently the only jurisdiction in Canada with a fully privatized road test model and has the highest road test fees in the country.
  • Inconsistent fees, poor service and an overall lack of integrity in the system were identified in a 2016 independent report.
  • The need for improved service, particularly in rural Alberta.

What we heard

  • Responses highlighted overall public support for:
    • a government-run road test program (78% in the online survey; 70% in the random telephone poll)
    • standardized road test fees (90% in the online survey; 88% in the random telephone poll)

Outcome

Mandatory training for commercial drivers (complete)

Albertans provided input on introducing a mandatory entry-level training (MELT) program for drivers who want to get a Class 1 (tractor-trailer) or Class 2 (bus) professional licence.

  • Currently, Alberta does not have regulated training requirements for Class 1 or 2 licences.
  • Following Ontario's lead, jurisdictions across Canada are considering MELT programs.
  • Feedback will help inform the new requirements and refine the curriculum.

What we heard

  • Responses highlighted very high levels of support for mandatory entry level training (94% in the online survey, 91% in the random telephone poll).

Outcome

  • As of March 1, 2019, all new commercial drivers will be required to take mandatory entry-level training to obtain their Class 1 and Class 2 driver's licence.

Requirements for new commercial carriers (complete)

Albertans weighed in on options to require new commercial carriers to prove their compliance with national standards before receiving a Safety Fitness Certificate.

  • Currently, Alberta is the only jurisdiction in Canada to offer a temporary certificate, giving new companies a 60-day period to prove their compliance.
  • By removing the temporary certificate, new trucking companies will have to demonstrate they have comprehensive knowledge of federal and provincial regulations before they begin operations.
  • Feedback will identify possible barriers for smaller carriers and inform new requirements.

What we heard

Albertans and stakeholders provided feedback on 2 key areas requiring:

  • new carriers to complete a safety and compliance course, prior to opening a commercial transport business in Alberta
  • all commercial carriers to renew their Safety Fitness Certificate (which currently has no expiry date)

Based on these key areas, responses highlighted:

  • overall support for Safety Fitness Certificate renewal for all commercial carriers (87% support in the online survey, 89% support in the random telephone poll)

Outcome

  • As of March 1, 2019, new requirements for commercial carriers include taking a mandatory safety and compliance course and knowledge test before beginning operations, and conducting a formal review of compliance with federal and provincial safety regulations within one year of starting operations. All carriers must renew their Safety Fitness Certificate every 3 years. The temporary SFC will be eliminated as of January 1, 2019.

Engagement

More than 3,300 Albertans participated in the consultation.

  • In-person stakeholder sessions, held in July 2018, included representatives from driver training schools, commercial truck and bus companies, as well as driver examiners and registry agents.
  • An online survey was open to everyone from July 10 to 27, 2018, and received 1,736 responses.
  • A random telephone poll was also conducted, with 1,335 people providing feedback.

Contact

Connect with Examinations and Licensing:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone (Edmonton): 780-427-8230
Phone (Calgary): 403-297-6679
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

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