Alberta’s government is taking tough enforcement action to improve safety across the trucking industry. The province is applying vigilant oversight of driver training schools and carriers through inspections, audits and targeted investigations.
Alberta’s government has ordered the closure of five driver training schools. In addition, the province issued 39 disciplinary letters, more than $100,000 in administrative penalties, six corrective action plans, revoked 12 instructor licences, and sent four warning letters to driver examiners.
“Our families’ safety won’t be put at risk by reckless operators who ignore the rules. Anyone cutting corners or operating unsafe trucks will be removed from our roads. Alberta truckers have earned a reputation as some of the most trusted drivers in the country, and we will not allow a few bad actors to undermine that trust.”
Thirteen commercial trucking companies have also been removed from Alberta’s roads due to poor on-road performance, unsafe equipment or failure to meet mandatory safety standards. Of those, seven were identified as “chameleon” carriers – companies that try to avoid regulatory oversight by changing names, creating new entities or relocating operations across jurisdictions.
Alberta’s government is working with federal and provincial/territorial partners to strengthen enforcement across jurisdictions including addressing “chameleon” carriers. Work is also underway by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators to develop a national database to address the loophole that carriers currently use to exploit gaps in interprovincial data sharing and enforcement.
"Elevating driver training standards to align with the established benchmarks of a designated trade with the ultimate goal of achieving Red Seal designation for the transportation industry represents a significant and positive step forward. This initiative is supported by the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC) and will not only contribute to safer roadways but also foster greater professionalism and integrity across all sectors of the industry.”
Alberta is also targeting the misclassified driver scheme known as Drivers Inc., where companies hire drivers as independent contractors to avoid payroll taxes and benefits. These drivers often lack proper training and oversight and are vulnerable to exploitation. In July 2025, a week-long commercial driver status and classification check stop revealed that 20 per cent of the 195 drivers stopped were suspected of being misclassified, including several temporary foreign workers.
Alberta’s government continues to work with industry partners to build on this progress and ensure that only safe, qualified drivers, carriers and training schools operate in the province’s trucking sector.
Quick facts
- On April 1, the province launched the Class 1 Learning Pathway, a made-in-Alberta program that raises the bar for training by requiring 125-133 in-truck training hours, which is well above the national Mandatory Entry Level Training minimum.
- The program strengthens oversight by introducing stricter licensing requirements for driver training schools, mandatory safety equipment standards and enhanced monitoring of instructors.
- Students now have access to an improved complaints process to ensure they receive consistent, high-quality training.
- By late 2025, driver experience records will follow the driver, not the company, improving transparency for hiring and insurance.
- Alberta’s government has invested $54.1 million over three years in training and transferability grants to support driver recruitment, training and onboarding, retention and industry diversification.
- Oversight of driver training schools, driving instructors and driver examiners include regular audits, inspections, investigations and ensuring compliance with the Code of Conduct and Ethics.
- Driver training schools, driving instructors and driver examiners found not in compliance with safety regulations are issued remedial actions, such as directives to correct non-compliance, re-education, administrative penalties and disciplinary actions as such as suspensions or cancellation of their licence.