EDMONTON AND SURROUNDING AREA: CLASS 1 DRIVER TRAINING
The Government of Alberta enacted Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) on March 1, 2019, to avoid any accidents by requiring Class 1 (tractor-trailer) operators to get proper training before being evaluated for a Class 1 driver’s license.
Class 3 motorists with at least two (2) years of experience operating Class 3 commercial vehicles may be qualified to participate in the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program.
You will find information about the program application HERE.
Requirements For Qualification:
To enroll in the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT program, motorists should meet the following requirements:
- Must possess a valid Class 3 driver’s license in Alberta
- Must have had an Alberta Class 3 driver’s license or the equivalent from some other Canadian jurisdiction for 2 or more years
- Must have at least two years of experience driving a vehicle having three or more axles (cars that need at least a Class 3 license)
You must present documents demonstrating that you have at least two years of professional experience operating vehicles with three or more axles as part of the registration process. In addition, motorists should include some of the following to indicate whether they meet the standards:
- A signed document(s) from a workplace stating that you have worked for at least two years in an unattended motor vehicle with three or more axles. Include the company’s contact details in the letter.
- A daily report sheet that satisfies the Drivers’ Hours of Service Regulation criteria or perhaps the Government of Canada’s Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations for two years.
- For self-employed professionals, a signed document(s) from clients or providers stating that you drive a vehicle with three or more axles and provide the service to them and that you may have done so for at least two years. You must include clients’ or providers’ contact details in the letter.
What Kind of Training Do You Need?
The Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program has three components; classroom training, in yard training, and behind-the-wheel training. Each module requires a set amount of hours to complete for you to be successful with the MELT program.
The total time with Air Brakes is 48.5 hours. It will take 40 hours if you already have the Air Brake endorsement.
Browse this page for more details on the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT course and acquire the curriculum.
Class 1 MELT without Air Brake Program Experience and Equivalency
3–4 weeks/40 hours $4,000.00
- Behind-the-wheel in-truck training -22.5 hours
- In-yard training – 6.5 hours
- In-classroom training – 11 hours
Please be aware that the MELT program price doesn’t include the cost of the road test license or the cost of the road test truck rental (2 hours).
Hourly Training (Refreshers/Evaluations)
$130/hr
Class 1 MELT Road Test Permit Fee
$220
Before you may schedule a Class 1 road test, you must first ensure that you have finished and can provide the following:
- A government-issued photo ID
- Evidence of Air Brake Approval
- Evidence of a Class 1 driver’s medical certificate
- Evidence of accomplishment of the MELT Class 1 Experience and Equivalency program
- Evidence of passing the Class 1 knowledge exam

Materials For Students And Learning Resources:
- Commercial driver’s guide
- Basic driver’s guide
- Experience and equivalency Class 1 MELT curriculum
- Experience and equivalency Class 1 MELT – PowerPoint and PDF
For more information on Class 1 driver training in Edmonton, call Gennaro Transport Training.

Materials For Students And Learning Resources:
- Commercial driver’s guide
- Basic driver’s guide
- Experience and equivalency Class 1 MELT curriculum
- Experience and equivalency Class 1 MELT – PowerPoint and PDF
For more information on Class 1 driver training in Edmonton, call Gennaro Transport Training.