The government of Manitoba will bring in mandatory training for commercial truck drivers on Sept 1. The law will require 121.5 hours of entry-level training, which is consistent with other provinces including Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said, “Commercial truck drivers play an important role in moving our economy forward, and we are focused on ensuring they have the necessary skills and qualifications to do their job in a way that ensures everyone is safe on the road.”
Currently, there is no mandatory training required. Anyone can get a Class 1 truck driving license by passing a written test and a road test.
Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) is working on an implementation plan, and more details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Manitoba Infrastructure, Manitoba Public Insurance, and Manitoba Education and Training consulted with over 100 stakeholders including industry associations, agricultural sector agencies, Indigenous organizations, established sector councils, educational providers, municipal stakeholders and small-scale commercial carriers.
There will be a one-year deferral of the new training requirements for the agriculture sector. This will allow for consultations with the industry in order to determine a phase-in strategy that mitigates impacts on the start of the 2019 farming season.
Earlier this month, Saskatchewan implemented a similar law. As of March 15, 2019, would-be truck drivers there will need to take at least 121.5 hours of training before they’re eligible for a Class 1 commercial licence to drive semis.
