The B.C. government says truck drivers will be safer and more skilled once they have completed the province’s new mandatory entry-level training (MELT) program, which comes into effect in less than two weeks on Oct. 18
The Ministry of Transportation says as of that day, anyone applying for a Class 1 driver’s licence in B.C. will have to successfully complete the 140 hour program before attempting a road test.
“Safety for everyone on our roads is always our top priority, and this new required driver training program will make our highways safer,” Transportation Minister, Rob Fleming, said. “A robust MELT program is just one of the ways we are committed to improving highway safety for all British Columbians.”
In a statement, the government says the MELT program was developed after a review of best practices from other Canadian jurisdictions as well as with input from industry in British Columbia. They say it was designed to align with the Standard 16-Class 1 Entry-Level Training framework introduced as part of the National Safety Code in February 2020.
“Our mandatory entry level training program teaches new drivers how to handle B.C.’s difficult terrain and actually exceeds the minimum requirements set by the National Safety Code Standard for Class 1 entry-level training,” Lindsay Matthews, the vice-president of public affairs and driver licensing at ICBC, said, in a statement.
“By harmonizing our program with other provinces, new commercial drivers in British Columbia will be able to smoothly and confidently operate across Canada.”
In addition to 50 hours on-highway and 37 hours in-yard and around the vehicle, B.C.’s program will require 15.5 hours of theoretical and hands-on air brake training, almost double the 8.5 hours required by Standard 16 of the National Safety Code. They will also be trained to handle the challenging conditions and changing weather patterns on highways like the Coquihalla and the Okanagan Connector by having to do things like showing they’re able to properly put tire chains.
In a statement, BC Trucking Association (BCTA) president, Dave Earle says they were “pleased” to contribute to the development of the new training program. so that new commercial drivers are trained to a higher, consistent standard.
“Better trained operators will make better decisions and fewer mistakes, making for a stronger, more efficient trucking industry,” he said.
The changes come three and a half years after the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan where a trucker missed a stop sign and collided with the bus, killing 16 people. One of the victim’s was 18-year-old Logan Hunter, and his parents Lawrence and Ginny have been among those calling for better truck driver training.
“British Columbia’s new MELT program is an important step toward improving overall commercial vehicle safety across Canada,” the Hunter’s said, in a statement.
“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.”
There are currently 46 schools across the province where future truck drivers have been taking MELT program courses since August 2021.
