Mandatory Entry Level Training or ELT Entry Level Training began being introduced in 2017 with the first province Ontario implementing a standard. An unfortunate accident occurred in 2018, where sixteen people died in a collision between a truck and bus and national attention was placed on truck driver training and requirements. Since that time nine of the 13 provinces and territories have implemented a MELT standard and a national safety standard was also created.
Since each province regulates its own licensing there are some differences between the courses provided but, in a nutshell, MELT is the minimum standard of training required before a driver is eligible to take a road test in their jurisdiction. The course includes theoretical training as well as practical yard and driving components that provide the entry level skills required to become a truck driver. Some provinces include the air brake training inside their MELT program, and some have it as a separate requirement to commercial truck licensing.
The course is aimed at improving safety and knowledge, and the minimum standard programs focus on provincial regulations and requirements, employment in the industry as well as the entry level skills to operate a tractor trailer. Some provinces have courses that contain more hours and topics that cover even more than minimum standards require.
Remember, while MELT is the standard required for education in most jurisdictions before obtaining your commercial licence, this is only entry level training. To be a commercial truck driver you still need more training and experience. To truly become a professional truck driver takes years of safe vehicle operation and continuous learning. Wading through the various government websites, some which are easier to navigate than others, I have compiled a comparative list of MELT programs and information. It is interesting to note that moving from province to province is still not a simple procedure. If you are looking to taking MELT training in 1 jurisdiction, moving to another province shortly after licensing could have big implications on your new truck driving licence depending on where you want to move.