Mandatory Entry-Level Training for Class 1 and 2 driver’s licences

Step 1. Complete MELT program

You must participate in training delivered by a licensed driver training school. Refer to the list to find a school that provides the MELT program.

• Class 1 MELT program will take 113 hours to complete. This total does not include the Air Brake program.
• Class 2 MELT program will take 50 hours to complete.
• Class 2-S MELT program will take 53.5 hours to complete.

Classroom training

The standardized classroom session is:

• Class 1: 40.5 hours
• Class 2: 18 hours
• Class 2-S: 18.5 hours

In-yard training

The standardized in-yard training session is:

• Class 1: 15.5 hours
• Class 2: 10.6 hours
• Class 2-S: 11 hours

Practical training

The standardized practical training session is:

• Class 1: 57 hours
• Class 2: 21.25 hours
• Class 2-S: 24 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 $5,000 for Class 2 and Class 2-S MELT

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

Step 2. Pass driver knowledge test

Once you complete the MELT program, go to any Alberta registry agent to complete the Class 1 or 2 driver's knowledge test.

Step 3. Schedule road test

You have the option to schedule a Class 1 or 2 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.

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 or 2 driver’s licence.

For more information, go to the Upgrade to a commercial licence page.

Licence received prior to October 11, 2018

If you got a Class 1 or 2 driver’s licence before October 11, 2018, you are not required to take the MELT program, enhanced knowledge test or enhanced road test.

Licence received between October 11, 2018 and February 28, 2019

If you got a Class 1 or 2 driver’s licence between October 11, 2018 and February 28, 2019:

• You must take the new enhanced knowledge test and enhanced road test. You must successfully pass these tests to keep your Class 1 or Class 2 driver’s licence.
• You will receive a letter from Driver Programs and Licensing Standards (DPLS) with details on how to take the enhanced knowledge test and road test. You will have 2 attempts to pass these tests.
• Commercial road tests will be available for these drivers starting May 1, 2019.

The Government of Alberta will pay for the first enhanced knowledge test and first enhanced road test. You must pay for all other costs, including the vehicle rental.

If you fail either enhanced test on your first attempt, you will have one more chance to take the test at your own expense.

When MELT is required for existing Class 1 or 2 Alberta drivers

If you fail both the enhanced knowledge test and the enhanced road tests after 2 attempts:

• your driver’s licence will be re-classified to the licence class you held before getting your Class 1 or Class 2 driver’s licence
• you must take the MELT program to get a Class 1 or 2 driver’s licence

For more information, refer to the letter you received from DPLS.

If you transfer your Class 1 or Class 2 driver’s licence from another Canadian jurisdiction to Alberta after March 1, 2019, you will be subject to Alberta's new commercial driver training policies.

Canadian jurisdictions with MELT programs

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

Canadian jurisdictions without MELT programs

Drivers with a Class 1 or 2 licence for more than 24 months

If you have held a Class 1 or Class 2 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, the enhanced knowledge test or the enhanced road test.

Drivers with a Class 1 or 2 licence for 12 to 24 months

If you have held a Class 1 or Class 2 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:

• take the Class 1 or Class 2 enhanced knowledge test and enhanced road test (if you pass these tests on the first attempt, you are not required to take Alberta’s MELT program), or
• complete Alberta’s MELT Program and take the Class 1 or 2 enhanced knowledge test and enhanced road test

If you do not pass either the knowledge test or the road test on the first attempt, you must complete Alberta’s MELT Program.

Drivers with a Class 1 or 2 licence for less than 12 months

If you have held your Class 1 or Class 2 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 enhanced knowledge test and the enhanced road test.

To support a successful 2019 farming season, farmers and farm workers will have until November 30, 2019 to apply for an extension to comply with the MELT program for new commercial drivers.

Apply for an extension

To be eligible, farmers must apply for the extension by filling out the application form(PDF, 207 KB). Email the completed application form to Alberta Transportation at transitiondrivers@gov.ab.ca.

Drivers who get their Class 1 driver's licence under the extension must still meet the new MELT standards. These drivers must take and pass the enhanced knowledge and road test (based on the new Class 1 MELT curriculum) by March 1, 2020, in order to retain their Class 1 licence. These drivers must have their employer fill out the confirmation of employment letter (DOCX, 30 KB) and email it to transitiondrivers@gov.ab.ca to be eligible to take the enhanced tests.

More information on the application process and how to get and keep your farmer's extension Class 1 licence is included in the MELT: Agriculture Industry fact sheet (PDF, 71 KB).

How it works

Until November 30, 2019, drivers approved for an extension can continue to:

• get a Class 1 licence under the pre-MELT process
• take the pre-MELT knowledge and road test to get their Class 1 licence
• study the Commercial Driver's Guide to prepare for testing

Class 1 requirements

Drivers must meet all other Class 1 requirements:

• be at least 18 years old
• have a non-probationary Class 2, 3, 4 or 5 Alberta driver’s licence (Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program drivers are not eligible for a Class 1 licence)
• have an approved Class 1 driver’s medical completed by a physician
• have successfully completed the Air Brake Endorsement Program

To support Alberta’s schools, new school bus drivers will have until July 31, 2019 to apply for an extension to comply with the MELT program for new commercial drivers and to get their required School Bus Driver Improvement Program S-endorsement.

Apply for an extension

To be eligible, school bus providers must apply for the extension by filling out the application form (PDF, 197 KB) on behalf of their employees.

Drivers who get their Class 2 licence under the extension must still meet the new MELT standards. These drivers must take and pass the enhanced knowledge and road test (based on the new Class 2 MELT curriculum) by March 1, 2020, in order to retain their Class 2 licence.

How it works

Until July 31, 2019, drivers approved for an extension can continue to:

• get a Class 2 licence under the pre-MELT process
• take the pre-MELT knowledge and road test to get their Class 2 licence
• study the Commercial Driver's Guide to prepare for testing
• get their S-endorsement training up until July 31, 2019

More information on the application process and how to get and keep your school extension Class 1 licence is included in the MELT: Education and school authorities fact sheet (PDF, 71 KB).

Class 2 requirements

Drivers must meet all other Class 2 requirements:

• be at least 18 years old
• have a non-probationary Class 3, 4 or 5 Alberta driver's licence (Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program drivers are not eligible for a Class 2 licence)
• have an approved Class 2 driver’s medical completed by a physician
• have successfully completed the Air Brake Endorsement Program, if applicable