By Taylor Chartrand

MELT training for class-one and two licenses now in effect

Mar 1, 2019 | 4:10 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) for drivers seeking a class-one or class-two license took effect today.

The Alberta Government has decided to extend the deadline for farmers and agriculture workers to comply with the new requirements for the 2019 season.

While the new MELT program is encouraged, it will not be mandatory right now for farmers and their workers to reduce pressure on agriculture operations.

To avoid any grey-areas, driving instructors such as Chris Mchale are making it very clear on who can and cannot apply for the exemption.

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“Anyone who is a farmer or working for a farm,” explained Mchale. “So, they have to be currently employed under a farmer or a farmers company and then they can apply for it through the government and that will allow them to get the application for the extension.”

Mchale says there is a bit of confusion surrounding this entire process.

“They can still do the class-one and get their class one tested out and then go drive before they get into any MELT program. So, they don’t have to necessarily get into the MELT program until after November 30th.”

Farmers and agriculture workers may apply for the extension from March 15th to November 30th, 2019. 

“Once they’re done the class-one portion, they will still have to take another test to get the knowledge test done and the driving test under the MELT program. They don’t have to take any additional hours, they just have to get the testing out to retain their class one.”

In order to retain their license, they will have to pass the new training courses by March 1st, 2020.