Policy

The new, made-in-Alberta Class 1 Learning Pathway, being implemented on April 1, 2025, has been designed as an apprenticeship-style model to develop/increase driver skills, improve safety, and enhance training for current and prospective Class 1 drivers in Alberta. The apprenticeship-style model will offer a learning pathway for Albertans to develop the skills to succeed and advance in their career as a professional driver. 

Note:
Drivers who obtained and hold a valid (not expired more than three years) Class 1 driver’s licence in Alberta prior to April 1, 2025, are not impacted by the Class 1 Learning Pathway. 

The Class 1 Learning Pathway replaces the Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) program starting April 1, 2025. If a driver has a MELT 1 course completion certificate, where the course was started on or before March 31, 2025, and finished by October 1, 2025, this can be accepted instead of Class 1 Learning Pathway; see 3.20.07 Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) Program. These drivers may still challenge the Class 1 knowledge or road test any time after October 1, 2025, as long as they produce a valid course completion certificate.

The Class 1 Learning Pathway is a mandatory program for all new Class 1 drivers, except farmers who qualify for an exemption (see below). Drivers will progress through four learning programs:

1. 1. Entry Program - The Entry program introduces prospective Class 1 drivers to a career in commercial driving, with a focus on developing the foundational knowledge and attitudes essential for success. The 40-hour program is delivered through a flexible, self-directed online learning system that includes interactive activities, videos, and assessments. 
    
2. 2. Core Learning Program - Successful completion of the Entry program allows drivers to proceed to the Core Learning program, which equips new drivers with the practical skills necessary to drive a commercial vehicle in Alberta. This rigorous 60-hour program is delivered by licensed driver training schools through a combination of classroom, in-yard, and in-cab instruction. An additional eight hours of air brake training is also completed during this program.
    
3. 3. Experience and Equivalency Program - The Experience and Equivalency Program (EEP) is a program for individuals who have held a Class 1, 2, 3, or Farm-Restricted Class 1 driver’s licence, with two or more years’ experience driving commercial vehicles, in Alberta or other Canadian provinces. This program is a shortened version of the Entry and Core Learning program.  
   
   To qualify for this program, drivers are required to provide verifiable proof of experience through a driver’s abstract, verified daily logbook and/or a letter from an employer. 
   
   To enroll in this program, clients must apply to Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC) through the Government of Alberta website. Drivers must submit a completed application along with the requisite supporting documentation above. 
   
   Upon government approval, the driver will receive an approval letter via email. This letter serves a verification on their eligibility and must be presented to a licensed driver training school to register for the Experience and Equivalency Program.
    
4. 4. Competence Building Program - The Competence Building program enables customized learning based on individual learning needs identified through each driver’s road test results. This personalized approach ensures that each driver receives targeted training to address their specific areas of need.

Milestones and Designations

Milestone – A representation of a driver’s Class 1 Pathway related training, as well as any prior course completion (i.e. MELT1).

Designation – A meaningful description that describes the level of training a driver has achieved. The designations follow the existing CCMTA (IRE) Standards and format, currently in place. 

The milestones with an asterix (*) will be automatically filled, through the Learning Management System interface, once a driver has completed the course. The milestones without an asterix are entered by a Registry Agent (with the exception of PROF which is a discontinued program, and FULLCLS1 which was automatically added to drivers who held a Class 1 licence prior to March 1, 2019); see appropriate policies in section 3.10 Reciprocal and Other Licensing and 3.20.07 Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) Program. An Operator service is required to update the appropriate Designation on their driver’s licence.

Milestone (displayed in Driver Designation Display)	MOVES Designation  (displayed in Operator Service/Display, IRE, Driver Abstracts and on Driver’s Licences)	Designation Description
COMPTENC *	ELT1	Full Class 1 training.
CORE *	ELT1 Class 1 AB ONLY	Core Class 1 training (restricted to operation in AB).
EE12TO24*	No designation	Approved to participate in the Experience and Equivalency Program.
ENTRY*	ELT1 In-Class Only	Class 1 Online Entry Program Training Only.
EEPCORE*	ELT1 Class 1 AB ONLY	EEP Core Class 1 training (restricted to operation in AB).
FARMXMPT	No designation – however, will result in a condition code P being added to the driver file, and a condition code N unless the driver has held a Class 2 or 4 licence within the last three years.	Driver has been approved for a Class 1 licence under the Farmer Exemption Program.
FULLCLS1	No designation	Added through a one-time automatic update to MOVES for any driver who had a fullcls1 attribute, meaning the client held a Class 1 licence in Alberta prior to the implementation of MELT (April 1, 2019). The one-time update was completed on April 1, 2025, and use of this milestone is now discontinued. Clients with this milestone are not required to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway unless their Class 1 licence has been expired for more than three years, and they have failed the Class 1 knowledge or road test.
OOPELT1	ELT1	Class 1 ELT training completed in another Jurisdiction. Must be verified through an IRE query.
MANLOOP1	No designation	No training required; driver held a Class 1 licence for more than 24 months, in another jurisdiction. Must be verified through an IRE query.
MANLCLS1	No designation	Pre-MELT/Full Class 1 drivers. Must only be entered if:  A driver has downgraded their Class 1 licence to a lower class prior to April 1, 2025, and is now applying to have a Class 1 licence re-issued. A registry agent must ensure the client held a Class 1 licence in Alberta within the last three years and that the driver does not already have an existing milestone on their record (for example, FULLCLS1).  OR  When a Class 1 driver has a Primary/Alias relationship, and the driver records are being unaliased. Prior to adding the milestone in this situation, a registry agent must contact Registries Assurance to ensure the correct milestone is added to the appropriate MVID(s).
MELT 1	MELT1	Pre-April 2025 Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level training.
MELT 2	MELT 2	Pre-April 2025 Class 2 Mandatory Entry Level training.
PROF	PROF	Pre-2019 Professional Driver training.  (Program discontinued).

Out of Province Operator Exchange

As of April 1, 2025, before being issued an Alberta Class 1, clients from another Canadian jurisdiction must meet the following standards: 

Table 1 – Class 1 Equivalencies for Class 1 Learning Pathway

Jurisdiction	Class	Length of time Licenced in Class	MELT Knowledge and Road Test?	MELT?
BC	1 with ELT designation	N/A	No	No
MB	1 with ELT designation	N/A	No	No
ON	A	N/A	No	No
QC	1 with a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation	N/A	No	No
SK	1 with ELT designation	N/A	No	No
All other Canadian jurisdictions	1	>24 months	No	No
		12-24 months	Yes	Yes (if client failed Class 1 knowledge or road test. May apply for the Experience and Equivalency Program.)
		< 12 months	Yes	Yes
UA	CE	< Two years of Class CE driving experience within the last 10 years	Yes	Yes
		Two to Five years of Class CE driving experience within the last 10 years	Yes	Yes (May apply for the Experience and Equivalency Program)
		> Five years of Class CE driving experience within the last 10 years	Yes	No

Exceptions:

• British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan are currently the only other Canadian jurisdictions that have implemented a ELT Class 1 Program which is seen as an equivalent to Alberta’s Class 1 Learning Pathway for the purposes of Canadian licence exchanges.
• A BC, MB, or SK Class 1 with ELT designation, regardless of the length of time licenced, is not required to complete a Class 1 knowledge or road test, or the Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • If the Class 1 driver’s licence or CCMTA IRE search indicates the client has completed a MELT Program, a registry agent must update the client file with the OOPELT1 milestone designation prior to issuing the Alberta Class 1 driver’s licence. The licence will print with a ELT1 designation.
• A client with an ON Class A, regardless of the length of time licenced, is not required to complete a knowledge or road test, or the Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • If the ON Class A driver has completed a ELT program from Ontario and would like the ELT1 designation on their Alberta Class 1 driver’s licence, an Ontario three year driver abstract indicating ELT must be provided. A registry agent must update the client file with the OOPELT1 milestone prior to issuing the Alberta Class 1 driver’s licence.
  • When the client has not provided a driver’s abstract indicating ELT completion in ON, a registry agent must enter the MANLOOP1 milestone in the MLSTN field. The Alberta driver’s licence will print with no designation.
• A client with a QC Class 1 driver’s licence who has completed the vocational training program and holds a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation (for Class 1 only) issued by Quebec’s Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, regardless of the length of time licensed, are not required to take a Class 1 knowledge or road test, or complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway; however, a MELT or ELT1 designation must not be added unless the client does complete a MELT course or the Class 1 Learning Pathway in Alberta. A registry agent must enter the MANLOOP1 milestone in the MLSTN field for these drivers. The Alberta driver’s licence will print with no designation.  A registry agent must compare the document provided by the client to the applicable sample to ensure it is the correct document and all requirements are met. A copy of the applicable document proving a client’s successful completion must be sent for imaging, and sent to Motor Vehicles immediately following completion of the service:
  • Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation (see sample);
    or
  • Transcript that shows the completion of all the following courses (see sample; the applicable courses are highlighted in the sample):
    • Métier et formation
    • Possibilités systèmes camion
    • Réglementation
    • État du camion
    • Techniques de base de conduit
    • Planification d'un voyage
    • Chargement et déchargement
    • Conduite mil. rural/autoroutes
    • Voyage avec livraison
    • Intégration milieu de travail
• For all Canadian jurisdictions except BC, MB, ON, and SK; if the length of time licenced cannot be confirmed through the CCMTA IRE Issue Date or the Date First Licenced comments by Class (QC, NB, NS), the client must provide official documentation from the licensing authority stating how long they have held the Class 1 driver’s licence if they wish to be exempt from completing the Class 1 Learning Pathway and knowledge and road test.
• If a client held a UA Class CE driver’s licence for less than two years within the last 10 years, the client must complete a Class 1 knowledge and road test and the Class 1 Learning Pathway.
• If a client held a UA Class CE driver’s licence for two to five years within the last 10 years, the client must complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway, but is eligible to apply to the Experience and Equivalency Program (EEP).
• If a client held a UA Class CE driver’s licence for more than five years within the last 10 years, the client is not required to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • The client must still complete the Class 1 knowledge and road test, vision-screening, driver’s medical and air brake training. 
• If the client is applying for a Farm-Restricted Class 1 Alberta licence, they are not required to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway but must still pass a Class 1 knowledge and road test.
• Out of province and UA clients who must complete the road test can use their valid (not expired) out of province Class 1 driver’s licence.
  • If the out of province licence is expired, the client must be issued the next allowable class of Alberta driver’s licence to complete the road test.

If a client fails either the knowledge or road test, they must:

• Be issued the next allowable class of licence in Alberta.
  • A registry agent must place a five year alert on the client file stating “Client has failed the out of province mandatory Class 1 Learning Pathway testing and cannot reclass to a Class 1 driver’s licence without successfully completing the Class 1 Learning Pathway and passing the Class 1 knowledge and road test.”
    • If the client passed the knowledge test but failed the road test, the knowledge test permit results are still valid for one year from the date validated as passed.
  • If the client is applying for a Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence, they are not required to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway if they fail either test.

For detailed licensing requirements for clients coming from Canadian jurisdictions; see the appropriate sub-section in 3.10 Reciprocal Licensing.

Requirements for Applications for a Class 1 Drivers Licence

Eligibility Criteria

To participate in the Class 1 Learning Pathway, a client must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Hold at minimum a valid (Non-GDL) Class 5 driver’s licence
• Not be suspended

Entry Program

A client must:

• Complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway Entry Program, either on-line or through a licenced driver training school. (Alternatively, they may complete the Experience and Equivalency program (EEP) if they qualify; see steps for EEP below).
• Clients may attempt the Class 1 knowledge test once the Entry Program is successfully completed or upon the completion of the Core Learning program.

Upon completion of this program, MOVES will automatically be updated with an ENTRY milestone. A registry agent must:

• Check the client’s Driver Designation Display on MOVES to ensure the ENTRY milestone is present.
• If the ENTRY milestone is present, complete an operator service to add the ELT1 In-Class Only designation to the client’s physical driver’s licence.  
• Issue the knowledge test permit if a client wants to complete the Class 1 knowledge test at this stage (they may choose to complete the knowledge test after obtaining the Core Learning milestone instead).

Core Learning Program

A client must:

• Complete the Class 1 Pathway Core Learning Program, through a licenced driver training school, after they have completed the Entry Program.
• Pass the Class 1 knowledge test before or after completing the Core Learning Program; for knowledge testing requirements, see 3.25.01 Knowledge Permits / Tests.
• Pass a Class 1 road test; for road testing requirements, see 3.25.03 Road Test Permits / Bookings.
  • A road test permit must not be issued until the client has passed a Class 1 knowledge test. The client must also provide a completed Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) if they do not already have an air brake (Q) endorsement on their licence.
• Apply to obtain a new driver’s licence once passing the Class 1 road test. The licence will be a restricted Class 1 licence which allows the client to operate Class 1 vehicles in Alberta only. 

Upon completion of this program, MOVES will automatically be updated with the CORE milestone. A registry agent must:

• Check the client’s Driver Designation Display on MOVES to ensure the CORE milestone is present. 
• Issue the Class 1 knowledge test permit, if client has not already passed. 
• Issue the Class 1 road test permit.
• If the CORE milestone is present, and driver has successfully passed the knowledge and road test, complete an operator reclass service to add the ELT1 Class 1 AB ONLY designation to the client’s physical driver’s licence.
  • A registry agent must ensure all other requirements for a Class 1 licence have been met, such as vision, driver’s medical, airbrake training, etc.

Experience and Equivalency Program (EEP)

The Experience and Equivalency Program (EEP) offers an accelerated route for drivers with prior commercial driving experience in Alberta or other Canadian provinces to obtain their Class 1 operator’s licence. Clients who are approved to participate in the EEP will complete an abbreviated version of the Entry and Core learning programs designed for experienced commercial drivers and are not required to complete the Entry Learning Program or the Core Learning Program.

The client must:

• Be approved by government to participate in the EEP. 
  • Upon approval to participate in EEP, MOVES will be updated with an EE12TO24 milestone. 
• Complete the EEP through a licensed driver training school.
  • Upon successful completion of the EEP, MOVES will be updated with an EEPCORE milestone.
• Pass the Class 1 knowledge test.
  • Clients that have been approved to participate in EEP may attempt the Class 1 knowledge test before or after successful completion of the EEP.  
• Pass the Class 1 road test.
  • Clients must complete the EEP before attempting the Class 1 road test.
  • A road test permit must not be issued until the client has passed the Class 1 knowledge test. The client must also provide a completed Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) if they do not already have an air brake (Q) endorsement on their licence.

A registry agent must:

• Check the client’s Driver Designation Display on MOVES to ensure the client has been approved to participate in or has successfully completed the EEP. 
• Issue the Class 1 knowledge test permit if the client has either the EE12TO24 or the EEPCORE milestone.
• Issue the Class 1 road test permit if the client has the EEPCORE milestone.
• If the EEPCORE milestone is present, and driver has successfully passed the knowledge and road test, complete an Operator Reclass service to add the ELT1 Class 1 AB ONLY designation to the client’s physical driver’s licence. 
  • A registry agent must ensure all other requirements for a Class 1 licence have been met, such as vision, driver’s medical, airbrake training, etc. 

Competence Building Program

Clients who wish to remove the Alberta-only restriction from their Class 1 licence must: 

• Complete the Class 1 Pathway Competence Building Program, through a licenced driver training school. 

Upon completion of this program, MOVES will automatically be updated with the COMPTENC milestone. A registry agent must:

• Check the client’s Driver Designation Display on MOVES to ensure the COMPTENC milestone is present.
• If the COMPTENC milestone is present, complete an operator exchange service which will remove the "Alberta only restriction" and automatically add the ELT1 designation to the client’s physical driver’s licence. 

Milestone Not Updated or Incorrect 

If the milestone has not been added to the clients Driver Designation Display in MOVES, the client must follow up with the driver training school they attended to make sure the Learning Management System has been updated. 

If the client believes there has been an error, they should contact TEC Examinations and Licensing by email at tec.licensingtraining@gov.ab.ca. 

Class 1 Driver's Licence Expired More Than Three Years

Any Alberta driver or driver exchanging an out of province licence who previously held a Class 1 driver’s licence but the licence has been expired / inactive for three years or more must successfully pass an Alberta Class 1 knowledge and road test.

If the client fails either the knowledge or road test, the client must complete training in the Class 1 Learning Pathway (this includes clients who may have completed MELT or the Class 1 Learning Pathway in the past).

A registry agent must:

• Process an operator reclass to the next allowable Class of driver’s licence.
• Place an alert on the client file that states “Client has failed the Class 1 testing and cannot reclass to a Class 1 driver’s licence without successfully completing the Class 1 Learning Pathway or Experience and Equivalency Program and passing the Class 1 knowledge and road test.”
  • If the client passed the knowledge test but failed the road test, the knowledge test permit results are still valid for one year from the date validated as passed.

Farmer Exemption – Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence

Farmers and their immediate family members may apply for a Class 1 driver’s licence without having to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway. If a client applies for a Class 1 licence under this exemption, the driver is restricted to operating vehicles in the Class 1 category in Alberta and for farm-use only. 

Farm-restricted Class 1 drivers are not permitted to operate vehicles or combinations of vehicles which require a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence unless they have previously held a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence within the last three years; see QR 3.3 Condition / Endorsement Codes.

More information about eligibility criteria for the exemption can be found here. 

When a farmer (or family member of the farmer) is applying for a Class 1 farm-restricted licence for the first time, a client must:

• Attend a registry office and inform the registry agent that they are a farmer or relative of a farmer and that they will be applying for a Class 1 licence under the Farmer Exemption.
• Pass the Class 1 Knowledge Test.
• Pass a vision test.
• Obtain a satisfactory driver’s medical.
• Complete the Application for Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence (DPLS13510).
• Provide a completed Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) if they do not already have an air brake (Q) endorsement on their licence.
• Pass the Class 1 Road Test.
• Attend a registry office to have their licence reclassed.
• Provide the completed Application for Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence form.

A registry agent must:

• Verbally confirm with the client that they are applying for a Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence.
• Issue the Class 1 knowledge test permit.
• Ensure the client has fully completed the Application for Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence form.
• Obtain the client’s completed Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) if they do not already have an air brake (Q) endorsement on their licence.
• Issue the Class 1 road test permit.
• A road test permit must not be issued until the client has passed the applicable knowledge testing and air brake training; see 3.25.03 Road Test Permits / Bookings.
• Reclass the driver’s licence.
  • Add a condition code Q if the client does not already have a Q on their licence.
  • Enter the FARMXMPT milestone into the MLSTN field on MOVES. This will result in MOVES automatically adding the Condition Code P to the driver’s licence. MOVES will also check the DFL record to determine if the driver held a Class 2 or 4 Licence in the last three years. If they have not, MOVES will automatically add the Condition Code N. Once service is completed, MOVES will automatically create the milestone in the Driver Designation Display function.
  • Submit the completed Application for Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence form and any other supporting documentation for imaging.

To renew a farm-restricted Class 1 licence, a client must:

• Provide a satisfactory driver’s medical.
• Complete the Application for Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence (DPLS13510).

To remove condition code P, the client must complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway. If they have held the Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence for 12 months or more, the client may choose to complete the Competence Building phase only.

Date Originally Issued: Apr 01, 2025
Date Last Revised: Oct 09, 2025