Overview

While commercial driver training is available and encouraged across Alberta, it is not currently mandatory and the curriculums vary widely.

Requiring mandatory training for new commercial drivers will result in safer, more highly skilled drivers working in the truck and bus industries.

Ontario is currently the only other jurisdiction in Canada that has implemented similar legislation.

What's changing

Starting March 1, 2019, drivers seeking a Class 1 (tractor trailer) or Class 2 (bus) licence will be required to complete mandatory entry-level training in order to apply for their licence.

  • Training will include a government-mandated number of training hours in-class, in-yard and in-vehicle. Class hours are still being developed.
  • Standardized curriculum must be taught at all Alberta driving schools. Curriculum is under development.
  • Knowledge and road tests for Class 1 and Class 2 drivers will be expanded to include the new curriculum.

Any driver who obtains a Class 1 or 2 licence between October 10, 2018 and March 1, 2019, will be required to retake the new enhanced knowledge and road test when it becomes available in March. This is to ensure all new drivers meet the new standards. Drivers will have two attempts to pass, the first one at the government's expense.

Public engagement

We received feedback from more than 3,300 key stakeholders and members of the public on three initiatives to improve traffic safety in Alberta:

  • mandatory entry-level training for all commercial truck and bus drivers
  • pre-entry requirements for new commercial carriers
  • returning the road test program to a government-run model

The vast majority of participants supported mandatory entry-level training for new commercial drivers.

Learn more about the engagement

Contact

Trans.driver.prog@gov.ab.ca

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