Mandatory Entry-level Training (MELT) for Commercial Class 1 Truck Drivers - FAQs

What is MELT?

MELT stands for Mandatory Entry-Level Training. Effective August 5, 2024, all PEI drivers applying for a commercial Class 1 driver's license for the first time must complete entry-level training at a provincially licensed driver training school before attempting a road test. Following the training, knowledge and performance testing will take place at a Highway Safety Office and will be based on Standard 16 of the National Safety Code (NSC). 

What is the National Safety Code?    

The National Safety Code (NSC) is a set of 16 standards developed to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across Canada. Canadian regulations governing commercial vehicles, drivers and motor carriers are based on the NSC. Standard 16 sets minimum course requirements and instructional hours to be followed by professional driving schools for NSC compliant training. 

Who is required to take MELT?

All drivers applying for a Class 1 driver's license for the first time. Applicants must successfully complete MELT at a provincially licensed commercial driver training school before being tested at a Highway Safety Office.  

Who is qualified to provide MELT?

Mandatory entry-level training can only be provided by a registered commercial driver training school and instructors that have been licensed by the Province of PEI. Currently, registered MELT providers are:

• ASTA Safety Consulting and Training (902-206-0122)
• JVI Provincial Transportation and Safety Academy (902-894-5726)

How is the MELT course organized?

Training will be based on NSC Standard 16: Commercial Truck Driver Entry-level Training. Applicants will also be expected to study the PEI Commercial Vehicle Driver’s Handbook and understand relevant regulatory requirements. Training will include:

• in-classroom learning;
• in-yard practical learning;
• in-cab and highway driving; and,
• air brake instruction.

Will there be provincial funding assistance for MELT?

On PEI, driver training schools are responsible for setting the course fees. Provincial funding may be available to help you cover costs. To determine eligibility and how to access funding, visit princeedwardisland.ca/MELTFunding. 

What are the eligibility requirements for MELT?

To be eligible for MELT, applicants must: 

• be at least 19 years old
• hold a valid, non-GDL Class 5 driver’s license; and, 
• provide a Driver’s Medical Certificate completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner.

What are the requirements for a PEI Class 1 driver’s license after August 5, 2024?

To be eligible for a PEI Class 1 driver’s license, applicants must: 

• be at least 19 years old;
• be a resident of Prince Edward Island;
• hold a valid, non-GDL Class 5 driver’s license; and,
• meet all prerequisites noted above and complete a MELT program at a licensed commercial driving school.

Moving to PEI with a Class 1 Driver’s License

Canadian jurisdictions with a MELT program

• A Class 1 driver who has successfully completed an entry-level training program in another Canadian jurisdiction with experience of 12 months or more, will be eligible for a Class 1 exchange, subject to meeting residency and other requirements. 
• A Class 1 driver with less than 12 months experience must pass a pre-trip inspection and road test. You will have two attempts to complete the road test. If you are not successful, you must complete the MELT program.

Canadian/US jurisdictions without a MELT program

• If you have a Class 1 driver’s license from another Canadian/U.S. jurisdiction with more than 24 months driving experience, you are eligible for a Class 1 exchange and are not required to take PEI’s MELT program.
• If you have a Class 1 driver’s license from another Canadian/U.S. jurisdiction with 12 to 24 months driving experience, you are required to pass the air brake written test, the Class 1 Commercial Driver knowledge test and the road test (or complete MELT). You will have two attempts to complete the road test. If you are not successful, you must complete the MELT program.
• If you have a Class 1 driver’s license from another Canadian/U.S. jurisdiction for less than 12 months, you must complete the MELT program prior to successfully passing the testing regime at Highway Safety.

Non-Residents with a Class 1 from countries other than Canada/US with Reciprocity
(PEI currently has reciprocity agreements with Austria, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States)

• Non-residents from reciprocal countries who have held Class 1 license for less than 24 months must complete MELT.
• Non-residents from reciprocal countries who have held a Class 1 license for more than 24 months will have the choice to:
  • Pass the air brake test, the Class 1 Commercial Driver knowledge test and the road test. You will have two attempts to complete these tests. If you are not successful, you must complete MELT program, or
  • Complete the MELT Program and then successfully complete the testing regime at Highway Safety. 

Non-Residents with a Class 1 from countries other than Canada/US without Reciprocity

• Before being eligible for a Class 1, non-residents from countries without reciprocity must first qualify for a PEI Class 5 driver’s license. This includes passing a vision test, a written knowledge test, and a road test.
• If non-resident drivers have more than 24 months of driving experience, the option of enrolling in the Licensed Driver Education Course (LDEC) may be open to you. Recognition of previous experience means new residents may have an alternative to the three-year Graduated Driver Licensing Program.
• You may take advantage of the LDEC if:
  • you are a new resident over the age of 19;
  • you are from a non-reciprocity country;
  • you meet the vision standards of Highway Safety;
  • you are an experienced driver with a minimum of two years driving experience;
  • you hold a valid Class 5 (or equivalent) license from your country-of-origin; and,
  • you present acceptable supporting documentation.
• The LDEC is administered by provincially approved licensed driving schools in PEI.  As a first step, contact a driving education school from Table A and tell them you would like to enrol.
• The Driving School will contact Highway Safety and schedule an appointment for you so your Driver's License from your home jurisdiction is validated and your immigration documents provide evidence of identity and residence.

For more information, visit the LDEC website. 

Who delivers the MELT program on PEI?

Driver training schools and driver training instructors who are provincially licensed under the authority of the PEI Private Training Schools Act and the Highway Traffic Act Driving Schools Regulations.  

Will there be a maximum number of hours specified for the PEI MELT program?

The National Safety Code (NSC) sets a minimum training standard at 112 hours. As per the NSC, provinces and territories may deliver a more comprehensive driver training course, providing the program is approved by the appropriate authority. The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has set PEI's standard at 140 hours of training plus 100 hours of observation in order to provide an expanded program to improve safety and competencies for Class 1 driver licensing. To find out more, contact a commercial driver training school from Table B for course details. 

Why is PEI implementing MELT?

PEI is moving forward with mandatory training to meet Standard 16 of the National Safety Code for commercial vehicles introduced nationally in 2020. Entry-level training aligns Canadian provinces and territories with the NSC and provides all new drivers with the theory, skills and practical experience required to safely transport goods.

How does MELT differ from the current process for obtaining a PEI Class 1 license?

Individuals wishing to obtain a Class 1 license for the first time are now required to complete a minimum number of training hours at a commercial driver training school before they can take a Class 1 road test with Highway Safety. 

Will there be changes to Class 1 testing?

Yes. Applicants will complete an additional written test - the commercial driver’s knowledge test (multiple choice) based on the Commercial Vehicle Driver's Handbook. As before, all testing will take place at a Highway Safety Office. The road test will still be completed with a Class 1 truck-tractor and trailer vehicle configuration:
•    automatic or manual transmission* 
•    full‐air brake system on both tractor and trailer
•    minimum tandem axle tractor and a tandem axle trailer
•    5th wheel coupling device
*If the road test is taken with an automatic transmission, the “Y4” restriction will be added to your driver’s license restricting the driver to operating a vehicle with an automatic transmission only. 

Will there be an exemption for commercial drivers who want to enter a specific sector of the trucking industry?

No. As with other provincial Class 1 entry-level training requirements, PEI will not provide sector specific exemptions for drivers who require a Class 1 driver's license to operate within an industry.

Is the PEI MELT program adapted from another jurisdiction's existing training program?

PEI’s Class 1 MELT course and testing requirements align with the Class 1 MELT programs of other Canadian provinces and with the National Safety Code.  

As a driving school instructor, am I permitted to enrol students in a MELT course before August 5, 2024?

Highway Safety is currently working with driver training schools and instructors to ensure that all interested parties are aware of the MELT standard and have time to review the new training requirements. MELT training is not to begin until August 5, 2024.

As a first-time applicant for a Class 1, if I have a medical concern during the application process, what should I do?

The commercial driver training schools will have Driver Medical Certificate forms on hand to provide to applicants. The medical certificates must be approved by Highway Safety before any testing for a Class 1 will be given. 

Am I required to have a medical prior to enrolling in MELT?

Yes. We encourage drivers to provide a completed Driver’s Medical Certificate for Highway Safety approval before formally enrolling in a MELT course.  Medicals completed within the last 12 months will be accepted; if your medical took place more than 1 year ago a new medical examination is required.

I've recently passed the air brake test, will I be able to get a road test before MELT is required on August 5, 2024?

Currently, there is a 2–7 week wait time for Class 1 road test appointments on PEI. Anyone seeking a Class 1 road test must have an approved medical and their air brake test completed and passed prior to booking a Class 1 road test. So, a person who has passed their air brake test and would like an appointment for a road test will need to call or visit an Access PEI location prior to August 5, 2024. A road test appointment will be booked and this person will be exempt from MELT. 

If I already passed my air brake test but wait to call Access PEI after August 5, 2024 to book a road test, do I have to take MELT?

Yes. MELT is effective on PEI as of August 5, 2024. If you did not call or visit an Access PEI location to schedule a Class 1 road test prior to August 5th, you will be required to enrol in MELT. 

If a driver wants to upgrade from an existing commercial 2, 3, or 4 driver’s license to a Class 1, are they required to take MELT?

As noted, there is currently a 2-7 week wait time for Class 1 road tests. Applicants who call or visit an Access PEI location prior to August 5, 2024 to book an appointment for a Class 1 road test will be able to attend their road test as scheduled and will be exempt from entry-level training. Remember, you must have passed your air brake test and have a completed medical before a road test can be taken.

Who can I contact if I have questions about the PEI MELT program? 

For questions about classroom, in-cab, in-yard and highway learning modules, please contact a commercial driver training school.

For questions on the written and practical testing requirements, please contact Highway Safety at (902) 368-5271 and your MELT question will be directed to the appropriate staff person. 

For questions on funding eligibility and how to access funding support, please visit PEI MELT Funding for information.