The province has introduced mandatory training for entry-level commercial truck drivers. The training is for new Class 1 commercial driver’s license applicants and comes into effect, Oct. 18, 2021.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Province of B.C.
October 06, 2021 - 3:38 PM
The province has introduced mandatory training for entry-level commercial truck drivers.
The new training is for new Class 1 commercial driver’s license applicants and comes into effect, Oct. 18.
The program aligns with a new truck driver training framework introduced across Canada in February 2020 as part of the National Safety Code, according to a Ministry of Transportation media release.
The Mandatory Entry-Level Training program is designed to produce safer, more skilled commercial drivers, who will have to successfully complete an ICBC-approved Class 1 MELT course before doing a road test.
“British Columbia’s new MELT program is an important step toward improving overall commercial vehicle safety across Canada,” Lawrence and Ginny Hunter said in the release. Their 18-year-old son Logan was fatally injured in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash that killed 16. The couple are also on the board of Safer Roads Canada
“Truck and bus drivers operate some of the heaviest vehicles on our roads through a variety of climates and on challenging routes. The risks are present every day for these workers, but programs like MELT help to mitigate these risks and prevent accidents," they said.
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The program was developed through a review of best practices from other Canadian jurisdictions with input from industry in the province, and completed by the ministry through consultations with the commercial driving industry, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and ICBC.
Driver training facilities delivering the program must align with the federal Standard 16-Class 1 Entry-Level framework and will be overseen by ICBC, the ministry said.
Lindsay Matthews with ICBC said the provincial program exceeds the minimum standards set by the National Safety Code.
“By harmonizing our program with other provinces, new commercial drivers in British Columbia will be able to smoothly and confidently operate across Canada,” Lindsay said in the release.
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The program requires 140 total hours including various areas of training and the provincial program requires almost double the hours of theoretical and hands-on air brake training above the national standard.
Commercial drivers will be better prepared for the highway networks changing weather patterns, and mountainous geography, and learn how to properly chain up their vehicle for winter driving, the ministry said.
Read more about commercial drivers and driving schools, and to find an ICBC-approved driver training school that delivers MELT, here.
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