Class 1 MELT Truck Driver Training
Northern Lakes College offers Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) as well as Air Brakes Q Endorsement in Slave Lake. Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors are mandated to ensure the safety of all those who share our province's highways. Effective March, 2019, all new Class 1 driver's are required to take MELT in order to obtain their commercial driver’s license. The primary goal of the MELT program is to teach new drivers the critical knowledge and skills that will create a foundation for safe driving as well as foster the development of positive driving attitudes and behaviors in new commercial drivers.
Class 1 MELT course includes 113 hours with theory training (40.5 hrs), in-yard practical teaching (15.5 hrs) and experience behind the wheel (57 hrs). Students advance through a series of practical exercises involving rural and urban traffic circuits under actual driving conditions.
The Air Brakes Q Endorsement course includes a classroom session and then practical training. Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 drivers must complete an approved air brake course to get a Q Endorsement on their driver’s license to operate a vehicle equipped with air brakes.
Class 1 MELT on-line curriculum includes:
- Safety practices
- Vehicle and Load Documentation
- Acts, Rules and Regulations
- Driver Training - Practical Application
Admission Requirements
+- 18 years of age
- Current Class 5 driver's license, no GDL restrictions
- Physically fit - driver's medical completed by a physician
Eligibility to get a Class 1 driver’s license you must
+- be at least 18 years of age
- hold any class of Alberta non-probationary driver’s license (Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program drivers are not eligible for a Class 1 driver’s license)
- have an approved Alberta driver’s medical examination report completed by a physician and approved by a registry agent or Alberta Transportation’s Driver Fitness and Monitoring before taking MELT training (this will ensure you are medically eligible for a Class 1 license prior to investing in training)
- have successfully completed the Air Brake Program (Q Endorsement), if applicable
- complete the MELT program
**To confirm you are medically eligible to apply for a Class 1 license, it is recommended you complete a medical assessment through a physician before participating in the MELT program. Medical forms are available from an Alberta registry agent or an Alberta physician. Medical forms can only be approved by a registry agent or by Alberta Transportation’s Driver Fitness and Monitoring.
Cost
+- Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) - $9,275.00
- Air Brakes Q Endorsement - $275.00
Total Tuition: $9,550.00
*students are required to pay additional fees when they schedule a commercial Class 1 vehicle road test
Important Fee Information:
- Please note that the following items are NOT included in the base fee: Truck rental for road test, road test permit fee, and government examiner fee.
- Additional Services, if required, hourly instruction of $150/hr with a minimum of two-hour booking.
For questions, contact: drivertraining@northernlakescollege.ca