Starting March 1, 2019, Alberta drivers seeking a Class 1 (tractor trailer) licence are required to complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) to apply for their licence.
New drivers working in agriculture now have until November 30, 2019 under the existing process to earn a Class 1 licence and will have until March 1, 2020 to comply with the new commercial driver MELT program. Eligible farm owners and workers can apply for the extension here starting on March 15, 2019.
Class 1 drivers who were licensed between October 11, 2018 and February 28, 2019 are not required to take the MELT program but must take the new enhanced knowledge test and enhanced road test. The Government of Alberta will notify these drivers by mail. Class 1 drivers who were licensed before October 11, 2018 are not required to take the MELT program, enhanced knowledge test or enhanced road test.
The temporary MELT exemption for drivers in agriculture has been made to accommodate the needs of the 2019 crop seeding and harvest season but also applies to livestock transporters, following consultation with 3,300 stakeholders that wrapped up in July 2018. The existing driver training process remains unchanged, but the classroom portion of the training (the MELT program) has been revised.
For more information on driver training and the Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) program, contact Cristina Neva or Javier Bahamon, Quality Assurance and Production Team, Alberta Pork by email at cristina.neva@albertapork.com or javier.bahamon@albertapork.com. Alternatively, phone 1-877-247-PORK (7675).
