Starting Aug. 5, 2024, Prince Edward Island will implement mandatory entry-level training (MELT) for new applicants seeking a Class 1 commercial driver’s license. This move aims to bolster road safety by ensuring drivers are well-prepared to handle large commercial trucks under various conditions, it said in a press release.
The MELT program, which will be required for Class 1 driver’s license testing, offers comprehensive training covering safe navigation of commercial trucks on and off the Island. Provincially licensed commercial driver training schools will deliver the training, with the provincial government potentially covering 70% of the training fees for eligible participants. This financial support is intended to remove barriers to employment and facilitate participant training.
Prince Edward Island joins eight other provinces and territories in adopting mandatory entry-level training, aligning its standards with those across Canada. The program’s development involved engagement with the trucking and driving sectors, starting in 2021, to incorporate industry input.
In 2020, the National Safety Code introduced mandatory training standards for Class 1 drivers. PEI’s program will exceed these national standards, offering 240 hours of training compared to the national standard of 112 hours. The training includes in-classroom learning, in-yard practical sessions, in-cab driving, and air-brake training. Additionally, the curriculum addresses human trafficking, equipping drivers to identify and report potential incidents.
“PEI’s commercial truck drivers do a tremendous job keeping our economy rolling, delivering essential goods to Islanders, and doing their part keeping our roads safe for everyone,” said Ernie Hudson, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Entry-level training for new Class 1 drivers will take road safety to the next level.”
Andy Keith, president and CEO of SFX Transport, welcomed the initiative. “Increasing skills and road safety is important for our employees and everyone else on the road,” he said.
Jason Ling, board chair of the PEI Trucking Sector Council, emphasized the program’s alignment with broader standards. “PEI’s training program supports achieving uniformity with other areas that have implemented mandatory entry training,” he said.
