EDMONTON -- Alberta has announced it has joined several other provinces in accepting military credentials for commercial driving licences.

The province says in a news release that the agreement will allow current and retired Canadian Forces members to operate commercial vehicles without additional testing.

It says that previously, military veterans were unable to transfer their credentials when they left the military.

Specifically, the agreement allows conversion from the DND 404 licence to Alberta drivers licence classes 1 through 5.

That would allow applicants to drive semi-tractors, large trucks, buses and limousines.

The province says the move will address labour shortages in the commercial trucking industry.

"I am proud that we are helping those who have sacrificed so much for Albertans make an easier transition to new, well-paying jobs," Alberta Transportation Minister Brian Mason said in the release.

The province says it signed the agreement in June. Since then, two retired and 47 active members of the Canadian Forces have applied. Of those, it says more than two-thirds have transitioned to Alberta drivers licences.

Other provinces, including Ontario, Manitoba, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador already recognize Department of National Defence 404 equivalencies.