New Class 1 or 2 Alberta drivers

Step 1. Complete MELT program

You must participate in training delivered by an Alberta 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, which is approximately 8.5 additional hours.

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

To operate a vehicle equipped with air brakes, you must have an air brake (Q-Endorsement) on your driver’s licence. To get a Class 1 driver’s licence, you must first successfully complete the air brake program to get your Q-Endorsement.

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 each for Class 2 and Class 2-S MELT

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

Subject to funding availability, there may be support and training opportunities available through the Canada-Alberta Job Grant (CAJG) program to those who meet eligibility requirements. The CAJG helps employers who are not in the public sector. Funding can be used to help with truck/bus driver training when the trainee is unemployed, or when training is incremental, such as when an individual is moving to a different role in the organization. Training must be provided by a third-party.

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 MELT driver's knowledge test.

Step 3. Schedule road test

You have the option to schedule a Class 1 or 2 MELT 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 and has the following configuration.

Class 1

a tractor-trailer with gross vehicle weight of at least 11,794 kg and a: 13-speed manual transmission full-air brake system on both tractor and trailer minimum tandem axle tractor and a tandem axle trailer fifth wheel coupling device single trailer with a minimum length of 48 feet and a minimum distance of 35 feet measured from the kingpin to the centre of each rear axle



Class 2

a bus with a seating capacity of more than 24 passengers, excluding the driver. If the vehicle is equipped with air brakes, you must have either air brake training (Q-Endorsement) or a course completion certificate from an approved air brake organization.

Prior to your road test, you must go to any Alberta registry agent to confirm your eligibility and identity. This can be done up to 72 hours in advance of your scheduled test.

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.