Overview
In response to industry concerns about the high cost of commercial vehicle insurance creating challenges for hiring and insuring experienced Class 1 truck drivers, Alberta’s government is implementing a Class 1 standardized record of driving experience that will provide information relevant for hiring and insuring a driver in Alberta.
The new Class 1 standardized record of driving experience will provide information that is not currently available on other commercial driver documents, such as driver abstracts. The driver experience record will include information about the type of vehicle and jurisdictions in which the driver travels.
Driver abstracts contain information about traffic convictions, licence suspensions and commercial transportation safety violations, but do not show good driving experience with the types of vehicles and cargo that is most relevant for hiring and insurance decisions.
Benefits
The new Class 1 standardized driver experience record is intended to provide insurers with the information needed to more accurately assess driver experience and risk and the cost to insure. This can help ensure that experienced drivers are appropriately recognized in the insurance process.
By improving the accuracy of risk assessments, the change may help commercial carriers access more competitively priced insurance options through standard providers, thereby:
- enhancing competitiveness
- reducing barriers for drivers entering or advancing in the industry
Requirements
The new requirement is targeted to Class 1 commercial driving situations that have the highest risk and costs of severe collisions.
Commercial carriers in the commercial cargo transportation industry will be required to provide driver experience records for Class 1 tractor-trailer truck drivers who:
- operate vehicles 11,794 kilograms or more
- tow a commercial trailer equipped with an airbrake system
Carriers commonly use these vehicles in truck-tactor, semi-trailer configurations.
At the end of the Class 1 driver’s employment or engagement with the carrier, the carrier will provide an up-to-date record to the driver. The driver can provide a copy to future employers or insurers to confirm their driving experience.
The new requirement does not apply to:
- commercial vehicles registered as Class 2 or 3
- commercial buses
To learn more, see the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation.
Timeline
The standardized Class 1 driver experience record will be developed in summer 2025 in consultation with the commercial sector and insurance industry. It will be fully implemented in fall 2025.
A phase-in period for compliance and enforcement will allow carriers to gain familiarity of the requirement and development of both the standardized form and its supporting resources.
After the phase-in period, this requirement will become part of audit activities.
Contact
To connect with Traffic Safety Services:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-2711
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Address:
Main Floor, Twin Atria Building
Room 109, 4999 98 Avenue NW
Edmonton, Alberta T6B 2X3