Effective March 1, 2019, individuals who want to obtain a Class 1 or Class 2 driver’s licence must take the Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT). Anyone having an agricultural or school bus licence extension is exempted. This program comprises of mandatory standardized Class 1 and Class 2 curriculums. This training helps produce highly skilled truck and bus drivers. It includes in-class, in-yard (where the vehicle is not moving) and in-vehicle (where the vehicle is moving) training. All enrolled candidates are required to pass an enhanced knowledge and driving test.
At Registry @ South Trail Crossing Ltd, we can help you register your new vehicle or renew your driver’s licence. Our highly trained staff strives to provide exceptional customer service.
WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A DRIVER’S LICENCE IN ALBERTA?
To apply for a Class 1 or 2 driver’s licence you must:
be 18 years of age or above
be a holder of any class of Alberta non-probationary driver’s licence
have an approved medical examination report completed by a physician
have successfully completed the Air Brake Program
completed the MELT program
WHO ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE MELT TRAINING?
Those who obtained their Class 1 or Class 2 licence between October 11, 2018 and February 28, 2019 are required to pass the enhanced driving tests. The updated curriculum will be available by March 1, 2020. If you took your road test on or before October 10, 2018 you don’t have to take the program. Out of Province residents who apply for Alberta’s driver’s licence are also needed to enroll in MELT.
Driver training schools and entities administering Class 1, Class 2 and school bus programs should apply to Alberta Transportation to be relicensed by March 1, 2019. All training instructors have to be retrained, retested and relicensed to administer MELT to students. The Government of Alberta will train senior driving instructors without charge.
HOW LONG IS THE MELT PROGRAM?
Class 1 MELT program takes 113 hours to complete. The time for each training session is:
In-class - 40.5 hours In-yard - 15.5 hours In-vehicle - 57 hours
Class 2 MELT program takes 50 hours to complete. The time for each training session is:
In-class - 18 hours In-yard – 10.6 hours In-vehicle – 21.25 hours
WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST OF THE MELT PROGRAM?
The Government of Alberta has decided the cost of the MELT program. Any driver training institute cannot charge more than this predetermined fee. The maximum amount charged can be:
Up to $10,000 for Class 1 training
Up to $5,000 for Class 2 training
Some providers may choose to charge less, depending on their organization.
IS FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR MELT PROGRAMS?
Yes. There are several funding opportunities available to those who meet the Government of Alberta eligibility requirements.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT AVAILABLE FUNDING PROGRAMS?
Canada-Alberta Job Grant
The employer applies on behalf of the employee for training costs and contributes about one-third of the total. The government contributes about two-thirds of the cost, a maximum of $10,000 per trainee per fiscal year. This is available to:
Private and non-profit sector employers
First Nations and Metis Settlements
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
Alberta Treasury Branches
To be eligible for the grant the employees must be:
Canadian citizens
Permanent residents
Protected people under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada)
Training for Work Funding
Alberta works with the Government of Canada to provide funded employment support programs and services. This benefits individuals who are unemployed, marginally-employed or are on Employment Insurance (EI) and other income supports. It also includes programs catering to under-represented groups like women and indigenous people. Whether you are looking for vehicle registration or planning to take a driving test in Calgary, we can help. Contact Registry @ South Trail Crossing today!