Class 1 MELT Program
Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) is required by the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure and ICBC for anyone applying for a Class 1 commercial driver’s licence. It ensures new drivers are properly trained before taking the road test.
BC’s MELT program goes beyond national standards, focusing on safety, professionalism, and real-world driving skills. It prepares drivers for challenging conditions like mountainous terrain and changing weather, helping make highways safer for everyone while meeting industry expectations.
If you're looking to operate a large tractor-trailer commercially in British Columbia that requires a Class 1 licence, you'll need to take a Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) course.
B.C.'s comprehensive MELT program became a requirement for all new Class 1 applicants on October 18, 2021. The 140-hour course is designed to align with the new national Class 1 entry-level training standard introduced as part of the National Safety Code. The course includes theory learning, practical training at driving school and on-highway driving and includes learning about the operation of air brakes.
Follow these steps to earn your Class 1 licence in BC:
- Study and prepare for the ICBC knowledge test
- Book and pass the Class 1 written exam at ICBC
- Apply for a Class 1 learner’s licence and clear the vision and medical checks
- Enroll in and complete the MELT program successfully
- Pass the ICBC Class 1 road test
- Complete a medical exam and submit the Driver’s Medical Examination Report to ICBC
- Receive your official Class 1 licence from ICBC
- Completion Requirements: All training sessions, along with 14 practical and 3 written assessments, must be successfully finished within one year to qualify for the ICBC Class 1 road test.
- Assessment & Learning Criteria: Written tests require a good command of English, and students must also complete two online courses.
- Training Guidelines: Program structure includes set time for pre-trip inspections, coupling/sliding, backing, and driving, with automatic transmission training limited to a maximum of 10 hours.
To apply for the Class 1 MELT program, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 19 years old
- Hold or have previously held a full-privilege licence (Class 5 or Class 6) or an equivalent from another province.
- Have fewer than four penalty point offences in the last two years and no motor-vehicle-related Criminal Code convictions in the past three years19 years old for combination vehicles.
- Have no outstanding fines, tickets, or debts with ICBC or the province
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
How the MELT Program is Structured?
The MELT program starts with classroom training, where students learn key concepts such as:
- defensive driving
- hours of service
- road rules
- fuel-efficient driving
- freight handling
- basic backing techniques
After building a strong theoretical foundation, students move to yard training for hands-on practice. This includes skills like:
- load securement
- chaining
- pre-trip inspections
- coupling or sliding the trailer
Finally, students apply both theory and practical skills during in-cab training sessions (usually around 4 hours each). These sessions focus on real driving experience, including:
- highway driving
- advanced backing
- extended trips through mountainous terrain
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