Effective April 1, 2024, Alberta has changed the requirements for training and obtaining a Class 1 (AZ equivalent) license.
Since the introduction of Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) as a pre-licensing requirement for Class 1 commercial drivers in Alberta on March 1, 2019, the program has been recognized by the trucking industry as a key driver contributing to the continued commercial driver shortage. recognized as one of the factors. This is because it increases the time and cost of the driver recruitment process.
To improve this process, the industry has proposed progressive or restricted Class 1 driver licenses, better training for specific industries, increased in-vehicle training hours to avoid the need for retraining, and It called for an expansion of the training scope to include additional competencies for Class 1 drivers. Licensing. The Government of Alberta is incorporating this feedback into the new process.
As part of the new training and licensing process announced April 1, farmers and their immediate family members will be exempted from pre-licensure training requirements and will only be allowed to farm within Alberta and only for licensed farm purposes. Limited Class 1 driver’s licenses are accepted.
Farmers who qualify for the new farm-only Class 1 driver’s license will still be required to complete a knowledge test, road test, vision test, and submit a driver medical exam proving they can safely operate a Class 1 vehicle.
I would like to know, do you support farm exemptions for Class 1/AZ licenses?
