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Part of Get a driver's licence

Changes to the driver licensing system

Improvements to the driver licensing system reduce costs and red tape for Albertans while maintaining safety.

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.

Class 1 Learning Pathway for professional drivers

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.

Contact

Connect with us about these licensing changes:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Email: [email protected]

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