The MELT program or course stands for mandatory entry-level training that is required to apply for a license to become a truck driver in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
Licensing in Canada is a provincial responsibility, and there are different requirements based on the province you are in.
In this article, we delve into the MELT program or course in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
MELT Program Ontario
In Ontario, an individual needs a Class AZ driving license to operate any truck/tractor-trailer combination with a gross weight between 4,600 kg and 11,000 kg and has air brakes.
Breaking it further Class A means you are fluent in driving a truck and ‘Z’ stands for endorsement of air brake or an air-over-hydraulic brake system (which is a separate program).
Moving forward to MELT in Ontario. It consists of at least 103.5 hours of instruction and covers the basic knowledge and skills required to operate a large vehicle safely on Ontario’s roads.
MELT is the mandatory requirement to get a full Class A license with no restrictions and is needed to give a road test to get licensure.
The Provincial Ministry of Transportation is the official regulatory authority overseeing the licensing in Ontario.
Click here for more information on how to become truck driver in Ontario.
British Columbia MELT Course
MELT officially started in British Columbia on October 18, 2021.
In British Columbia (BC), an individual needs a Class 1 driving license to operate any truck/tractor-trailer combination with a gross weight between 4,600 kg and 11,000 kg with air brakes.
The duration of the MELT course in BC is 140 hours and includes theory learning, practical training at driving school, and on-highway driving and learning about the operation of air brakes.
There is no separate air brake endorsement in BC since it is already included in the MELT course for a Class 1 driving license.
To enroll in the MELT course, an individual needs to be at least 19 years old, but in Ontario, you need to be at least 18.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) is the regulatory authority in BC for the driver training industry, not the Ministry of Transportation.
Click here for more information on how to become a truck driver in British Columbia.
Click here for FAQs on MELT in B.C.
Alberta MELT Program
In Alberta, MELT came into effect on March 1, 2019.
Similar to British Columbia, the license required to operate a truck trailer is called a Class 1 commercial license.
To file for a commercial driver’s license, Class 1 (tractor-trailer) license applicants must complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT).
Training includes a government-mandated number of training hours for in-class, in-yard, and in-vehicle modules with standardized curriculums being taught at all licensed Alberta driver training institutions.
The duration of the Class 1 MELT program in Alberta is 113 hours plus an additional 8.5 hours including the Air Brake program.
These hours are split into 40.5 hours of classroom training, 15.5 hours of in-yard training, and 57 hours of practical training.
Unlike Ontario and British Columbia, Alberta has set a cap of up to $10,000 for MELT. This is the maximum amount a driver training school or organization can charge.
Click here for more information on how to become a truck driver in Alberta.
Saskatchewan MELT
MELT came into effect in 2019 in Saskatchewan.
Drivers seeking a Class 1 commercial license must first complete the mandatory entry-level training (MELT) required in Saskatchewan. MELT includes 121.5 hours of training:
This includes 47 classroom hours, 17.5-yard hours, and 57 in-cab hours. It includes basic driving techniques, professional driving habits, vehicle inspections, and air brakes.
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the regulatory authority responsible for issuing driving licenses and registration of vehicles.
Click here for more information on MELT in Saskatchewan.
Manitoba MELT
Public Insurance Manitoba administers a registry of MELT providers. On September 1, 2019, MELT became a requirement for truck driver licensing in the province.
Before that date, drivers with valid licenses were not required to reapply or take MELT.
The Professional Vocational Institute Branch of Manitoba monitors the operations of driving schools that offer vocational courses and the administration of the province-approved 121.5-hour MELT course.
Click here for more information on MELT in Manitoba.
Does the MELT program qualify for a certificate of qualification for Express Entry?
As of now, MELT is not a certificate of qualification but rather just one of the requirements needed to apply for a truck driver’s AZ license.
To become a truck driver in Ontario, you need to:
a) be 18 years of age or older
b) hold a valid license in Ontario other than G1, G2, M, M1 or M2
c) valid medical report and pass a vision test
d) pass a knowledge test on operating large trucks and tractor-trailers
e) complete 103.5 hours of mandatory entry-level training (MELT) course
f) pass a road test
How much is the cost of MELT course?
MELT cost can vary from $8,000 to $20,000 depending on the province you are in.
The driver training school industry establishes its own competitive price for the cost of MELT course and it varies from school to school, except for Alberta.
Alberta has set a cap of $10,000 for the MELT course.
Reference Link: https://immigrationnewscanada.ca/melt-program-for-truck-drivers-in-canada/
