Class 1 Driver Training

GPRC Continuing Education offers a variety of programs and courses for individuals wanting to become a Class 1 professional driver and those with a Class 1 licence who want to further develop their driving skills.

A Class 1 licence in Alberta is a driver’s licence that allows you to drive any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles other than a motorcycle. You can drive a motorcycle only for learning purposes. To drive a motorcycle legally you need a Class 6 license.

With a Class 1 license in Alberta you can drive almost any type of vehicle:

• any single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles
• any motor vehicle with 3 or more axles that is towing a trailer with one or more axles

The above-mentioned vehicles (depending on the type of vehicle) can sometimes be referred to as semi-trucks, semi-trailers, 18-wheelers, truck tractors or tractor-trailers.

You can also drive:

• school bus (if you obtain your “S” endorsement)
• transit bus
• motor coach
• taxi ambulance

You can drive a school bus without the S endorsement if it is not directly related to transporting children to and from school.

Career Opportunities
By obtaining a Class 1 licence, you will gain access to career paths for one of the most in-demand occupations in Alberta, Transport Truck Driving.

Career opportunities may include:

• long haul drivers
• delivery drivers
• oilfield driver
• line haul drivers

For more information about what a Class 1 license is, and the steps to obtain it, please visit our Professional Driver FAQ.

Class 1 Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) Program
As of March 1, 2019, all new Class 1 drivers will be required to take Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT), in compliance of Alberta Transportation legislation, in order to obtain their commercial driver’s license. The Class 1 knowledge and road tests has been expanded to encompass the new training requirements. All new drivers will be required to demonstrate their competency in all the training components of MELT. 

Learn more: Class 1 Driver Training - Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT)  

Experience and Equivalency Class 1 (Class 3 to 1 Transfer) Program 
Drivers who have held a Class 3 driver’s license with two (2) or more years of experience driving Class 3 commercial vehicles may be eligible to take the Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT Program.

Learn more: Experience and Equivalency Class 1 MELT (Class 3 to 1 Transfer) - MLT02

“Q” – Air Brakes Endorsement
Before you can do your Class 1 road test, you will need to get your air brakes endorsement. You can obtain your “Q” – Air Brakes Endorsement by taking our Air Brakes (Q Endorsement) course.

Learn more: Air Brakes (Q Endorsement)

Additional Training For Class 1 Drivers
Class 1 drivers can further develop their skills by our taking one of our additional training options:

• Cargo Securement
• Hours of Service & Fatigue Management
• Oilfield Driver Awareness