Mandatory entry-level training (MELT) is being introduced for drivers who wish to obtain a Class 1 commercial B.C. driver's licence. Drivers will need to successfully complete a MELT course before taking their Class 1 road test.
B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course includes practical in-yard training, on-highway driving and theoretical learning components.
There is a focus on National Safety Code compliance for commercial vehicle safety, hours of service requirements, load securement, and other fundamentals like air brakes and professional on-highway driving skills.
The B.C. Class 1 MELT course emphasizes safe operating practices for B.C.'s mountainous geography and diverse climate conditions, and highlights the unique driving conditions that can occur in other jurisdictions.
Refer to the Curriculum Framework for details.
The course is 140 hours, and includes air brake training as well as 6 hours of mandatory flexible practical training.
Students should complete the training in accordance with the schedules set by ICBC-approved driver training schools or institutes that offer the course.
Students are required to complete the B.C. Class 1 MELT course within 12 months from the date of enrolment, but it is expected students will complete the course in a much shorter timeframe.
Driver training schools and driver training instructors who are licensed by ICBC to provide Class 1 driver training will deliver B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course, providing the driver training school is authorized to deliver the B.C. Class 1 MELT course. Instructors must take the B.C. Class 1 MELT orientation course to become authorized to teach.
The model will be similar to what is in place for the ICBC-approved GLP course and will require the driver training school or instructor training facility to enter into an agreement with ICBC to deliver all theory and practical components of B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course (theoretical, in-yard and on-road).
ICBC has the MELT Curriculum Framework and supporting training materials for schools, facilities and instructors who will be delivering B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course. Members of the public can find information on icbc.com.
No. The length of the Class 1 road test booking time and how the test is marked will remain the same. The road test will continue to consist of:
Vehicle pre-trip
Air brake pre-trip, and
Practical on-road test.
Applicants must use a vehicle for the road test that is a tandem or tridem rear axle semi-truck or tractor towing a loaded tandem or tridem rear axle trailer. Both the tractor and trailer must have air brakes.
If an applicant is using a fifth wheel trailer, the overall trailer length must be at least 12.19 m (40 feet). If the applicant is using a pintle hitch trailer, it must have an overall length of at least 7.5 m (24.6 feet). The tractor and trailer combination, including load, must weigh at least 28,000 kgs GVW.
There are no changes to the current 16-hour air brake course or 20-hour air brake certification course. If you are a commercial driver training school or air brake training school or certification facility that offers these courses, you may continue to do so.
Refer to the FAQ, "What about drivers who want to apply for an air brake endorsement on a Class 2, 3, 4, or 5/7 driver's licence. What are the air brake training options?" under Class 1 driver's licence applicants and MELT below.
No. A student must complete the whole BC Class 1 MELT course at a single driver training school.
However, driving schools who wish to offer a BC Class 1 MELT course, but who may have an insufficient number of licensed practical or theoretical Class 1 driver training instructors may enter into a contractual agreement to employ a driver training instructor from another driving school.
If you require more information, reach out to your driving school inspector.
No. At this time, the security amounts (bonds) the driver training industry is required to maintain under Division 27 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations will remain the same.
B.C. requires higher bond amounts than other Canadian jurisdictions with a MELT program. ICBC will monitor whether there is a need to increase the security amounts required to be held by the driver training industry.
The B.C. Class 1 MELT course is aimed at entry-level training for new Class 1 drivers and requires that schools teach the approved curriculum in alignment with the minimum hours required.
However, some new Class 1 drivers may wish to complete a more comprehensive professional-level training course.
Driver training schools may deliver a more comprehensive professional-level Class 1 driver training course, providing the program is reviewed and approved by ICBC and is found to contain all of the core curriculum requirements of B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course.
At the discretion of the student, up to 10 hours of practical on-road training may take place in a vehicle with an automatic or automated transmission. However, the remainder of the training must take place in a vehicle with a manual transmission. Manual transmission vehicles must have a minimum 13-speed transmission.
The student may choose to attempt the ICBC Class 1 road test using a minimum manual 13-speed transmission or automatic/automated transmission vehicle. If a student qualifies on the ICBC Class 1 road test with an automatic or automated transmission vehicle, they will be issued a driver's licence restricting them to Class 1 commercial vehicles with an automatic transmission.
ICBC is working with driver training schools and instructors to ensure that schools can begin to teach the Class 1 MELT course prior to October 18, 2021. It's expected that driving schools will transition at different times, but ICBC will work with the industry to ensure a fair roll-out to all schools who want to deliver the MELT course.
ICBC will work with the driver training industry to orient them to the curriculum.
The government is making this announcement well in advance of October 18, 2021 so that those who are in the process of completing a Class 1 driver training course can complete their training and still have a reasonable amount of time to qualify on an ICBC Class 1 road test.
While ICBC is also publicly communicating these changes early, it's important for Class 1 driver training schools and instructors to make sure their students are aware of the changes so they can help students plan accordingly in the transition.
ICBC will not be increasing the availability of Class 1 road test bookings for schools leading up to October 18, 2021.
If a student chooses to enrol in a Class 1 driver training course that is not an approved B.C. Class 1 MELT course, they will not be able to attempt the Class 1 road test on or after October 18, 2021.
To enrol in MELT, a person must be 19 years of age and hold an ICBC issued Class 1 learner's driver's licence (LDL).
They must:
Meet all commercial driver record pre-screening requirements if applicable
Qualify on required knowledge testing, and
Be able to meet driver medical fitness requirements and Class 1 vision standards.
Effective October 18, 2021, a person applying for a new B.C. Class 1 driver's licence must successfully complete the B.C. Class 1 MELT course before attempting a Class 1 road test.
Cost is an important factor for new Class 1 drivers. The driver training school industry may set their own competitive price for the cost of the training, which will likely vary from school to school and allow choice for consumers.
A number of government programs exist to assist with the training costs, and to support new Class 1 drivers entering the commercial trucking industry moving forward. These include:
Skill Enhancement Training Grant
Indigenous Skills Training Development Fund, and
BC Employer Training Grant.
To determine eligibility and how to access funding, Class 1 applicants can visit the B.C. government's Funding and Grants page.
No. As in the other Canadian provinces with a Class 1 MELT requirement, B.C. will not provide sector specific exemptions for drivers who require a Class 1 driver's licence to operate within an industry.
This aligns with feedback from the B.C. trucking industry and driver training industry that basic entry-level training is necessary to operate heavy vehicles that require a Class 1 driver's licence. This is necessary for road safety reasons regardless of what industry a driver is operating in, where they may be operating, or how frequently they are operating.
No. ICBC will not be increasing the number of Class 1 road test appointments available. Government has made the announcement of this new program requirement well in advance of October 18, 2021 to allow individuals currently enrolled in a training program to have a reasonable amount of time to book and complete a Class 1 road test before the changes take effect.
It's important for Class 1 driver training schools and instructors to make sure their students are aware of the changes so they can help students plan for their road test accordingly in the transition.
There is no guarantee that those who got their Class 1 learner driver's licence after March 31, 2021, will receive a Class 1 road test appointment before October 18, 2021.
Drivers that are unable to obtain a Class 1 road test appointment before this date, may wish to consider completing the Class 1 MELT course before it becomes a requirement on October 18, 2021.
Applicants for an air brake endorsement may continue to complete the 16-hour air brake course and be issued an air brake course card before taking an ICBC air brake knowledge test. An air brake course card provides three attempts on the knowledge test.
However, during the transition phase to B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course, a driver may complete the 9-hour MELT air brake theory course component instead of the 16-hour course. The 9-hour MELT air brake theory course component is recognized as equivalent to the 16-hour course. The driver will be issued an air brake course card limited to three attempts on the knowledge test. If unsuccessful, they will have to repeat the 9-hour MELT air brake theory course component (or the 16 hour course) and be issued a new course card. The course card will note which air brake theory course was completed.
It is important to note that enrolling in the 9-hour MELT air brake theory course component, means they are not eligible to complete the 4-hour practical air brake certification. They will be required to complete an air brake pre-trip with ICBC.
Therefore, if they intend to follow the air brake certification pathway, they must enrol in the current 16-hour air brake course and complete the 4-hour practical course and assessment.
Yes, please see our July 15 news release on changes to air brake knowledge testing.
We have a list of driver training schools approved to deliver B.C.'s Class 1 MELT.
Driver training schools will use the ICBC MELT resource materials, developed in partnership with the commercial trucking and driver training industry. ICBC will provide the following to driver training schools that deliver the Class 1 MELT course:
Curriculum Framework — Class 1 MELT course standards and learning outcomes
Student Guide — Class 1 course content and additional information for student reference
Classroom Lesson Plans — guide for teaching, including tips and activities
Practical Lesson Plans — guide for teaching, including tips and checklists
Practical Assessment Forms — assessments for practical activities
Theoretical Assessment Forms — assessments for classroom and theoretical activities
Other course forms and handouts.
B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course and program requirements align with the Class 1 MELT programs of other Canadian provinces, while being tailored to B.C.'s challenging topography and changing regional climates.
Yes. To support development of the curriculum, ICBC and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure partnered with the driver training industry and truck transport industry to ensure their expertise and insights contributed to the B.C. Class 1 MELT program.
ICBC is the regulator of B.C's driver training industry, which includes the province's driver training schools, driver training instructors and instructor training facilities.
ICBC is also responsible for delivering provincial driver licensing requirements in B.C. As the Class 1 MELT course will become a pre-requisite to applying for a Class 1 driver's licence on October 18, 2021, it makes sense for ICBC to manage oversight and delivery of the overall MELT program requirements.
ICBC has the authority to review the MELT programs of other Canadian jurisdictions to confirm the program, and a driver who has completed the program, meets B.C.'s minimum training requirements for exemption from the B.C. Class 1 MELT course.
At this time, B.C. is only introducing mandatory training for Class 1 drivers who are authorized to operate all commercial vehicle types and passenger vehicles.
B.C. will recognize the full Class 1 MELT courses from Alberta*, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario* to support driver licensing reciprocity among Canadian jurisdictions and limit financial and employment barriers for citizens who move to B.C.
A driver who can demonstrate they already completed a Class 1 MELT course in another Canadian province, will not be required to complete the B.C. Class 1 MELT course, with some exceptions:
*Ontario — While B.C. will recognize you completed an Ontario Class A MELT course, if you have less than 24 months of consecutive Class 1 experience you will be required to complete a mandatory B.C. air brake course and pass an air brake pre-trip before being issued a B.C. Class 1 driver’s licence (15.5 hours of air brake theory and practical training must be taken at a MELT approved, Air Brake Certification Facility).
*Alberta — Class 1 drivers who completed Alberta's Class 1 MELT course of 121.5 hours will not have to complete B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course on or after October 18, 2021. However, if the driver only completed Alberta's Class 1 "experience and equivalency" course, they'll be required to complete B.C.'s full Class 1 MELT course. In either case, Alberta Class 1 drivers applying for a B.C. Class 1 driver's licence must provide their Alberta Notice of Course Completion form or other verification document from Alberta's Ministry of Transportation to confirm which Alberta Class 1 MELT course was completed.
The air brake system on a tractor-trailer vehicle is a foundational component of the vehicle configuration and lack of knowledge on how this system works and how to check for proper brake adjustment poses a significant road safety risk for all road users.
While some driver may have taken air brake training in Ontario, it's not mandatory for Class A drivers as part of the Ontario MELT course or as a stand-alone course.
Under the National Safety Code, the entry-level training standard for Class 1 drivers requires air brake training as part of any Canadian jurisdiction's mandatory training of Class 1 drivers because of the safety risk of inadequately maintained brakes, especially in mountainous regions of a province.
B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course will contain a comprehensive air brake portion in alignment with the national entry-level training standard and based on recommendations from industry consultations.
No. Consistent with most other Canadian provinces with a Class 1 MELT course, B.C. will not provide advanced standing or credit toward completion of training done in another country.
The quality and content of training programs from jurisdictions outside of Canada cannot be verified to ensure that each one meets the same standards required under the entry-level training framework in the Canadian National Safety Code, or in B.C.'s Class 1 MELT course.
Applicants must declare any known or suspected medical conditions prior to applying for a Class 1 driver's licence. You may be issued a Driver's Medical Examination Report (DMER) earlier in the application process depending on an initial medical declaration. The application process starts when you attend an ICBC driver licensing office to take the Class 1 knowledge test.
A person will generally be issued a DMER, to be completed by a physician, once they have qualified on the Class 1 road test. We understand that some drivers will want to ensure they can meet the driver fitness requirements defined by the National Safety Code prior to enrolling in the B.C. Class 1 MELT course. After starting the MELT course, if the driver's medical situation changes and you think it might affect your eligibility to drive or you wish to seek a medical accommodation, you can request a DMER.
It is important to complete the DMER form within the required timeframe and ensure it is returned to the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles at RoadSafetyBC to avoid negative impacts to your current class of driver's licence.
If you request a Class 1 DMER from an ICBC driver licensing office and then change your mind about making a Class 1 driver's licence application, contact RoadSafetyBC to have the DMER cancelled to avoid cancellation of the current class of driver's licence.
