AZ truck driver training is the required first step if you want to drive a tractor-trailer in Canada in 2026. In Ontario the licence is Class A, usually called AZ when it includes the Z air brake endorsement. In the western provinces it is Class 1. Before the road test, you must complete Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) or, in Alberta, the Class 1 Learning Pathway. This guide compares hours, costs, funding and pay by province.
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Demand for drivers is steady. According to Job Bank, about 319,400 people worked as transport truck drivers in 2023, and 48% of them were aged 50 or older. Job Bank expects a moderate risk of labour shortage for this occupation from 2024 to 2033. On October 23, 2026, a Job Bank search for “truck driver” returned more than 2,200 postings across Canada.
To see current openings, use the button below. It takes you to Job Bank, the Government of Canada’s job board. Each posting comes from an employer, and you apply directly with that employer. We are not a carrier, a driving school or the government, and we do not take applications.
What AZ and Class 1 drivers do
Tractor-trailer drivers move freight across cities, provinces and borders. Routes can be local, regional or long-haul, and each type has a different schedule. Typical duties include:
- Doing a pre-trip inspection of the tractor, trailer and air brakes.
- Coupling and uncoupling trailers and checking that the load is secured.
- Driving safely in all weather, including mountain and winter conditions.
- Recording hours of service, often on an electronic logging device.
- Handling bills of lading, delivery receipts and border paperwork.
Requirements before AZ truck driver training
Each province sets its own licensing rules. The main ones are:
- Ontario: be at least 18, hold a valid Ontario licence other than G1, G2, M, M1 or M2, pass a vision and knowledge test, submit a medical report and complete MELT before the road test. Since May 11, 2026, applicants must also show proof of Ontario residence, legal presence in Canada and eligibility to work. From January 1, 2027, Class A road test candidates must have held a Class G or higher licence for at least six months.
- British Columbia: be at least 19, hold a full-privilege Class 5 licence and pass the Class 1 knowledge test, which includes air brakes, to get a Class 1 learner’s licence before starting MELT.
- Alberta: be at least 18, hold a full Class 5 licence and have medical fitness approval.
- Saskatchewan: be at least 18, not be a novice driver and meet the medical standards.
- Manitoba: meet the medical and vision standards and complete an approved course before booking the Class 1 road test.
MELT hours by province
The minimum training hours below come from each provincial regulator. Schools can offer longer programs, but not shorter ones.
| Province | Licence | Minimum training | Key details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Class A | 103.5 hours | From a registered career college or an organization in the Ministry of Transportation’s Driver Certification Program, including approved colleges. |
| British Columbia | Class 1 | 140 hours | Includes air brake training and six hours of flexible practical training. Must be completed within 12 months of enrolment at an ICBC-approved school. |
| Alberta | Class 1 | 40 + 67 hours, then 10 to 18 hours | Class 1 Learning Pathway, which replaced MELT on April 1, 2025. Add an 8-hour air brake course if you have no Q endorsement. |
| Saskatchewan | Class 1 | 121.5 hours | 47 hours in class or online, 17.5 hours in the yard and 57 hours behind the wheel, with SGI-certified instructors. |
| Manitoba | Class 1 | 121.5 hours | 40 hours in class, 40.5 in the yard and 41 in the cab, including 9 hours of air brakes. A 244-hour program at a private vocational institute also qualifies. |
How Alberta’s Class 1 Learning Pathway works
Alberta now uses tiers. The Entry Program is 40 hours, online or at a school. The Core Learning Program is 67 hours since September 1, 2026, after which you take the road test for a Class 1 licence restricted to Alberta. The Competence Building Program, 10 to 18 hours of one-on-one driving, removes the restriction so you can drive between provinces.
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British Columbia accepts MELT from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta, with some conditions. Ontario drivers without 24 months of Class 1 experience must complete the air brake part of BC’s course.
How much AZ truck driver training costs
Only Alberta publishes official price limits. For students who enrol on or after April 1, 2026, the full Class 1 Learning Pathway at a licensed school costs a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $12,000. Core Learning is capped at $8,300 to $9,500 and Competence Building at $1,000 to $1,800, while the online Entry Program costs $250.
Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation says training providers set their own costs, and ICBC says the same for British Columbia. Before you sign, ask each school what is included: truck time for the road test, air brakes, re-tests, books and licensing fees. Get the total in writing.
Funding for AZ truck driver training
| Province | Program | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Better Jobs Ontario | Up to $28,000 for eligible training of one year or less, plus up to $500 a week for living costs. Ontario also lists WSIB, Ontario Works and Indigenous bands as possible funding sources. |
| Ontario | Ontario Job Grant | Employers can receive up to $10,000 per trainee to train new hires or staff. |
| British Columbia | Provincial grants listed by ICBC | Community Workforce Response Grant, Skills Enhancement Training Grant, Indigenous Skills Training Development Fund and B.C. Employer Training Grant. |
| Alberta | Class 1 Learning Pathway grant model | Helps offset costs for employers who hire new and inexperienced drivers. |
| Saskatchewan | Class 1 Truck Driver Training Rebate | Up to $5,000, paid as $1,000 a year for five years, for MELT completed between October 1, 2024 and December 31, 2028. |
If a carrier offers to sponsor your training, read any repayment clause carefully before you sign.
Truck driver pay by province
Job Bank publishes wages for transport truck drivers (NOC 73300). The figures were updated on November 19, 2025 and use 2023–2024 data. Your pay depends on the carrier, the route and whether you are paid by the hour, the mile or the load.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $21.00 | $30.00 | $42.31 |
| British Columbia | $22.00 | $30.77 | $40.38 |
| Manitoba | $17.00 | $24.00 | $34.72 |
| New Brunswick | $17.00 | $23.00 | $32.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $17.97 | $24.75 | $36.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $18.00 | $24.00 | $30.00 |
| Ontario | $19.23 | $26.00 | $35.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $18.00 | $24.00 | $30.29 |
| Saskatchewan | $18.50 | $27.00 | $37.00 |
| Northwest Territories | $25.00 | $30.00 | $40.00 |
| Nunavut | $20.17 | $29.00 | $40.00 |
| Yukon | $26.50 | $34.00 | $43.27 |
Source: Job Bank. The national median is $26.42 an hour.
Hours of work on the road
Commercial drivers follow federal hours-of-service rules. South of latitude 60°N, you cannot drive after 13 hours of driving or 14 hours of on-duty time in a day. Under cycle 1, you cannot drive after 70 hours on duty in any 7 days.
If you work for a federally regulated carrier that crosses provincial or national borders, the Canada Labour Code applies. Standard hours for highway drivers may exceed 40 a week but not 60, and for city drivers they are capped at 9 hours a day and 45 a week.
How to get your AZ or Class 1 licence
- Check your province’s age, licence and medical rules on the official website.
- Get a medical report and pass the vision and knowledge tests where required first.
- Compare approved schools on the regulator’s list and ask for a written quote.
- Apply for funding before you enrol, and wait for approval if the program requires it.
- Complete MELT or Alberta’s pathway and keep your completion certificate.
- Book and pass the road test in a vehicle that meets your province’s standards.
- Search Job Bank for driver jobs and apply directly with each carrier.
Your rights as a truck driver
Federally regulated drivers must earn at least the federal minimum wage of $18.15 an hour since April 1, 2026. Drivers who stay within one province are covered by provincial rules, such as Ontario’s $17.95 minimum since October 1, 2026. Ask whether you will be an employee or a contractor, because employees are covered by minimum wage, overtime and vacation pay rules. Get your pay method, route type and home time in writing.
Résumé and interview tips
- List your licence class, endorsements and the date you finished MELT.
- Attach a recent driver’s abstract if the carrier asks for it.
- Highlight safe-driving habits, inspections and any experience with logs or ELDs.
- Ask about trainer or mentor programs for new drivers, and how routes are assigned.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying a school that is not on the provincial approved list.
- Enrolling before checking your medical fitness.
- In Ontario, taking the road test in a truck that does not meet the full Class A standard, which can lead to a restricted licence.
- Signing a carrier-sponsored training contract without reading the repayment terms.
How to spot trucking job scams
- Never pay anyone for a job offer or a work permit support letter.
- Never send your SIN, passport or licence by text or WhatsApp before a real written offer.
- Be careful with “guaranteed licence” schools; only the province issues licences, after you pass its tests.
- Check the carrier’s address, website and safety record before you accept.
Similar jobs you may like
If you prefer driving passengers, see our guide to bus driver jobs in Canada. For local routes without a Class 1 licence, look at delivery driver jobs. You can also start in logistics through forklift certification.
Frequently asked questions
How long is AZ truck driver training in Ontario?
Ontario’s MELT includes at least 103.5 hours of instruction, and the MTO truck handbook estimates the course takes about four to six weeks.
Which province has the longest Class 1 training?
British Columbia, with a 140-hour course that includes air brakes. Saskatchewan and Manitoba require 121.5 hours.
How much does AZ truck driver training cost?
Alberta caps the full Class 1 pathway at $10,000 to $12,000 for enrolments from April 1, 2026. In Ontario and BC, schools set their own prices, so compare written quotes.
Can I get funding for Class 1 training?
Possibly. Better Jobs Ontario, BC’s grant programs and Saskatchewan’s $5,000 rebate are the main options. Each has its own eligibility rules.
Does MELT expire?
No. Ontario says the training is valid for life, and ICBC calls it a one-time requirement.
Where can I find truck driver jobs?
Use Job Bank, the Government of Canada’s job board, and apply directly with each employer. Applying is free.
Sources
- Ontario: Mandatory training for Class A licence applicants
- Alberta: Class 1 Learning Pathway
- SGI: Class 1 licence
- Manitoba Public Insurance: Class 1 training standards (PDF)
- Saskatchewan: Class 1 Truck Driver Training Rebate
- Job Bank: Wages for truck drivers
