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Training for obtaining a Class 1 driver’s licence

Standardized, entry-level training mandatory for all new Class 1 commercial drivers.

Overview

Drivers seeking a Class 1 (tractor trailer) licence are required to complete mandatory training to apply for their commercial driver’s licence. 

Training uses standardized curriculums that are taught at all licensed Alberta driver training schools. The training also requires a government-mandated number of training hours for in-class, in-yard and in-vehicle modules:

  • in-class – refers to an educational setting inclusive of classroom, digital and/or blended instruction facilitated by an instructor
  • in‐yard (around the vehicle) – refers to activities that occur around the vehicle when it is not moving (for example, vehicle inspection)
  • in‐cab (behind the wheel) – refers to the student operating behind the wheel of the vehicle either off‐road or on‐road 
    • includes coupling/uncoupling, backing exercises, and driving along

Eligibility

See the Obtaining a commercial licence page to learn about the eligibility criteria for a Class 1 licence.

Medical fitness

See the Driver medical fitness review page to learn about the fitness requirements for commercial drivers.

New learning pathway

Effective April 1, 2025, the government is making changes to the Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) program in favour of a new, made-in-Alberta learning pathway for commercial drivers.

To learn more about the learning pathway, see Changes to the driver licensing system.

Requirements

  • New Class 1 Alberta drivers

    Step 1. Complete MELT program

    You must successfully complete training delivered by an Alberta licensed driver training school. Refer to the list to find a school that provides a Class 1 MELT program. Not every school offers every MELT program.

    • Class 1 MELT program will take 113 hours to complete. This total does not include the Air Brake program, which is approximately 8.5 additional hours.
    • Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT program will take 40 hours to complete. This total does not include the Air Brake program, which is approximately 8.5 additional hours. For details on the program eligibility, read the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT section below.

    Classroom training

    The standardized classroom session is:

    • Class 1: 40.5 hours
    • Experience and Equivalence Class 1: 11 hours

    To get a Class 1 driver’s licence, you must first successfully complete the air brake program to get your Q-endorsement.

    In-yard training

    The standardized in-yard training session is:

    • Class 1: 15.5 hours
    • Experience and Equivalency Class 1: 6.5 hours

    Practical training

    The standardized practical training session is:

    • Class 1: 57 hours
    • Experience and Equivalency Class 1: 22.5 hours

    Costs

    To ensure training costs are fair and accessible, the maximum amount a driver training school or organization can charge is:

    • up to $10,000 for Class 1 MELT
    • up to $4,000 for Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT

    Driver training providers may choose to charge less, depending on their organization.

    Step 2. Pass driver's knowledge test

    Upon successfully completing the classroom portion of a MELT program you are eligible to attempt the Class 1 driver's knowledge test at an Alberta registry agent. To attempt the knowledge test you must have:

    • a completed Classroom Evaluation Form showing 80% or higher on the classroom assessments, or
    • have a MELT designation on your driving record indicating you have completed a MELT program in its entirety.

    Step 3. Schedule road test

    You have the option to schedule a Class 1 MELT driver's road test (as applicable) through the Alberta Road Test Scheduler online or in person at any Alberta registry agent.

    You must provide a vehicle for the road test that meets all legal requirements and has the following configuration.

    Class 1

    • a tractor-trailer with gross vehicle weight of at least 11,794 kg and a:
      • 13-speed manual transmission
      • full air brake system on both tractor and trailer (requires the Q-endorsement)
      • minimum tandem axle tractor and a tandem axle trailer
      • fifth wheel coupling device
      • single trailer with a minimum length of 48 feet and a minimum distance of 35 feet measured from the kingpin to the centre of each rear axle

    Step 4. Pass road test

    You must pass the pre-trip inspection and the driver’s road test.

    Step 5. Go to the registry agent

    Once you have passed the pre-trip inspection and road test, you can go to any Alberta registry agent to get your Class 1 driver’s licence.

  • Out-of-province Class 1 drivers

    Canadian jurisdictions with MELT

    If you have successfully completed an equivalent MELT program in another Canadian jurisdiction, you are not required to take Alberta’s MELT program or the MELT knowledge or road tests to get an Alberta Class 1 or Class 2 driver’s licence.

    Canadian jurisdictions without MELT programs

    Drivers with a Class 1 driver’s licence for more than 24 months

    If you have held a Class 1 driver’s licence from another Canadian jurisdiction for more than 24 months when you apply for an Alberta driver’s licence, you are not required to take Alberta’s MELT program or the MELT knowledge or road test.

    Drivers with a Class 1 driver’s licence for 12 to 24 months

    If you have held a Class 1 driver’s licence from another Canadian jurisdiction for 12 to 24 months when you apply for an Alberta driver’s licence, you can choose to:

    • pass the Class 1 MELT knowledge and road tests
      • if you fail either of these tests on the first attempt you must complete Alberta’s MELT program, or
    • complete Alberta’s MELT Program and take the Class 1 MELT knowledge and road tests

    Drivers with a Class 1 driver’s licence for less than 12 months

    If you have held your Class 1 driver’s licence from another Canadian jurisdiction for less than 12 months when you apply for an Alberta driver’s licence, you must complete Alberta’s MELT Program prior to taking the MELT knowledge and road tests.

    Drivers with a Quebec Class 1 Licence

    Drivers who have a Quebec Class 1 licence may apply for an Alberta Class 1 driver’s licence without having to take an Alberta Class 1 MELT course or the Class 1 MELT knowledge and road tests if they have:

    • completed a vocational training program, and
    • hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation (for Class 1 only) issued by Quebec’s Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur.

    You must provide proof of successful completion by presenting a registry agent with a copy of the transcript or the Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation.

  • Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT

    Transfer to other jurisdictions

    Class 1 driver’s licences earned through the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program in Alberta may not be transferable to other jurisdictions (provinces and territories) where MELT designations are required. If you are looking to transfer your Alberta driver’s licence to other Canadian jurisdictions, check with them to determine their requirements.

    This does not affect interprovincial travel while you remain an Alberta resident.

    Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program

    To recognize the experience gained by drivers operating commercial trucks, a shorter version of the Class 1 MELT program is available.

    The Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program fees are capped at $4,000.

    For more information on the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program, read the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program Overview.

    To take the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program, drivers must:

    Step 1. Apply to Transportation and Economic Corridors

    To apply, please submit a completed Experience and Equivalency Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training Application to [email protected].

    To be eligible, drivers must:

    • have a valid Alberta Class 1, 2 or 3 driver’s licence
    • have held an Alberta Class 1, 2 or 3 driver’s licence or the equivalent driver’s licence from another Canadian jurisdiction for 2 or more years
    • have 2 or more years of work experience operating a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles

    As part of the application, you will need to submit documentation that demonstrates experience.

    Step 2. Receive approval from Transportation and Economic Corridors

    You will receive an emailed response approving or denying your eligibility after your application has been reviewed.

    Step 3. Provide approval to driver training school to schedule training

    You must provide the approval to the driver training school before they will schedule you for the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program.

  • Eligible farmers and family members

    Effective April 1, 2024, upon successful completion of a Class 1 knowledge and road test, vision screening, and submission of a driver’s medical assessment, eligible farmers and their immediate family members may apply for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence with condition code “P”, indicating they must comply with farmer restrictions. The driver will not be required to complete pre-licensing training.

    This Class 1 farm-restricted driver’s licence is valid only when operating vehicles or combinations of vehicles for specified farming purposes. For more information, see Farm-Restricted Class 1 Driver’s Licence.

    • Farm-restricted Class 1 drivers may also be subject to driver’s licence code restriction “N” which means the holder may not operate vehicles or combinations of vehicles which require a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence unless that person has completed the required knowledge and road tests as well as completed any other conditions of a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence.

    For more information, see Farm-Restricted Class 1 Driver’s Licence.

  • Edmonton office

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

  • Calgary office

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

    Address:
    Examinations, Licensing and Support:
    1st Floor, Willowglen Business Park
    803 Manning Road NE
    Calgary, Alberta  T2E 7M8

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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