MELT Program in BC Canada: All You Need to Know

Career opportunities in Trucking in British Columbia have abounded and the MELT Program or Class 1 license is a crucial first step if you want to begin a career as a trucker.

What is the MELT program/Class 1?

MELT i.e Mandatory Entry-Level Training or Class 1 is a course offered across Canada for commercial drivers(truckers). 

Participants in this course will be able to receive instructions from experts in large-rig driving. These experts have connections to long-standing big rig-driving businesses across Canada.

Before becoming eligible for a road test, students receive classroom and on-road instruction in heavy rigs through the MELT program. It entails completing several hours of in-class, in-yard, and in-vehicle training from accredited driving schools.

Canada’s MELT program is being implemented across the country. These include Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia.

The BC Ministry of Transportation has announced details about the launch of its MELT (Mandatory Entry-Level Training) program for commercial drivers on March 31, 2021, following the lead of neighbouring provinces.

You can look over those announced details by clicking here.

As of October 18, 2021, drivers must complete a rigorous training program with a minimum of 140 hours of instruction and training to get a Class 1 Commercial Driver’s Licence in British Columbia.

Learn about OTT's Class 1 Training:

The British Columbia Insurance Corporation (ICBC) oversees class 1 driver training in Surrey, Delta, and Langley, BC for schools and instructors to complete the MELT program. The following are the three main components of the OTT Driving Academy’s class 1 melt curriculum for the ICBC in Surrey, Delta, and Langley, British Columbia.

  • Instruction in the classroom for 47 hours (in-depth knowledge of the Trucking Field, Backup, Vehicle Parts, Driving Methods, Working Hours, Chaining, Documentation, Regulations, Inspection of Vehicles, and more)
  • 37 hours spent working outside and traveling (Straight backing, offset backing, Alley-dock backing)
  • The driving modules before and after nightfall total about 50 hours of on-road time

Benefits of the MELT program in BC Canada

There are numerous benefits to taking the MELT program, in addition to the fact that it is mandatory. The MELT program is the first step toward a fantastic career in the trucking sector.

Let’s have a look at the benefits of the phenomenon MELT program.

  •  It provides the fundamentals you’ll need for a career in trucking.

There were several trucking schools out there that did not provide appropriate training for their students. As a result, their graduates were entering the workforce lacking some other fundamentals. It is one of the reasons BC and other provinces started demanding the MELT Program.

These promote road safety for both you and other drivers. Additionally, the knowledge you gain in the MELT program makes you a more self-assured driver, which helps you not only get your foot in the door but also position yourself for professional advancement.

  • The MELT Program will help you prepare for the workforce.

It might be scary to enter the field initially. You can gain more self-assurance in your chosen field by enrolling in the MELT program. While hiring, employers can feel more secure knowing that the trucking school graduates they hired have completed the MELT program and possess the necessary skills. Besides its benefits, you might be curious to know some more facts about MELT. We are here for you to get to know more about this program.

The B.C. Class 1 MELT course lasts how long?

  • The course lasts 140 hours and includes six hours of mandatory flexible practical training in addition to air brake instruction. 
  • Students should follow the training schedules specified by ICBC-approved instructors.
  • Within a year of the course’s start date, students must complete the B.C. Class 1 MELT course.

 

But it’s anticipated that students will finish the course in significantly less time.

What kind of instruction is in the BC Class 1 MELT course?

  •  The Class 1 MELT program in Surrey BC consists of classroom instruction, on-highway driving, and practical in-yard training.
  • The National Safety Code’s compliance concerning commercial vehicle safety necessities, load security, and other fundamentals like air brakes and expert on-highway servicing hours.
  • Safe operating procedures for British Columbia’s hilly terrain are focused on in the Class 1 MELT training.

What is the expense of the BC Class 1 MELT course?

To give customers more choices, the driver training school industry will set its competitive price for the cost of training, which will vary from school to school.

Who can enroll in a Class 1 MELT course in British Columbia?

  • To enroll, a person must be 19 years old and have a Class 1 learner’s permit from British Columbia.
  • Candidates must satisfy all relevant commercial driver record pre-screening standards and be eligible to Pass the necessary knowledge tests and be in good enough health and vision to drive.

While most citizens feel that MELT Programs are a good idea overall, some are worried that they would increase the cost of training and perhaps deter some students from working in the trucking industry.  Fortunately, several government initiatives are available to help students in this area.

If you’re considering a career in the trucking industry and want to acquire the training you need to obtain your Class A license, you should contact OTT driving academy. The MELT program has also approved the OTT driving academy as a training facility. Our truck driving school Surrey, Delta, and Langley, British Columbia will teach you how to drive large commercial vehicles. We provide individualized instruction based on your specific requirements and pinpoint your strengths and potential improvement areas…