How to Get Your Saskatchewan Class 1 License
A Comprehensive Guide
Getting a Saskatchewan Class 1 license is a significant professional milestone for aspiring commercial truck drivers. This license lets operators drive semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other heavy commercial vehicles across Canada. The transportation industry offers many career opportunities to licensed drivers.
The journey to earning a Class 1 license has several significant steps. Drivers must complete the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) program, pass knowledge tests, and clear a road test. This complete guide explains SGI (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) requirements and the essentials of the Professional Driver’s Handbook. You’ll find detailed information about medical requirements, training procedures, and licensing processes. The guide helps new drivers and those with out-of-province licenses from reciprocal countries.
Understanding Saskatchewan Class 1 License Requirements
Saskatchewan’s Class 1 license applicants must meet SGI’s (Saskatchewan Government Insurance) specific requirements. These long-standing requirements ensure commercial drivers have the skills and health conditions they need to operate large commercial vehicles safely.
Age and eligibility criteria
A driver must be 18 or older to qualify and cannot have novice driver status. This license allows drivers to operate power units, semi-trailers, and trucks with trailers where the towed unit’s gross weight exceeds 4,600 kg. It also lets Class 1 license holders drive vehicles in classes 2, 3, 4, and 5. Special endorsements remain mandatory for vehicles with air brakes, motorcycles, or school buses.
Medical fitness requirements
Medical fitness is a vital component of the licensing process. Applicants must submit a Commercial Driver’s License Medical Report to evaluate their health status before they start any testing. The required frequency of medical reporting depends on the driver’s age:
- Every five years for drivers aged 18-45
- Every three years for drivers aged 46-65
- Annually, for drivers aged 66 and above
The following medical conditions might affect a driver’s eligibility:
- Seizure disorders
- Certain heart conditions
- Insulin-dependent diabetes
- Physical disabilities
- Blackouts or dizziness
- Head injuries
- Vision or hearing impairments
Vision test details
A vision test is required to get your commercial driver’s license. You must take this test during your knowledge exam appointment. The test checks your visual acuity and perception. These checks confirm that you can drive commercial vehicles safely. Your license might get an L restriction if you fail the medical assessment or vision test. This restriction will limit the types of vehicles you can drive.
These requirements align with the National Safety Code standards, which set complete minimum performance rules for safe commercial vehicle operation across Canada.
Completing Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT)
Since March 15, 2019, Saskatchewan’s detailed Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) program has trained aspiring commercial drivers. The standardized program will provide consistent quality and safety standards throughout the province’s trucking industry.
Overview of the 121.5-hour MELT program
The MELT program has 121.5 hours of well-laid-out training that covers everything in these areas:
- Professional driving skills and habits
- Vehicle inspection procedures
- Air brake operation and maintenance
- Safety protocols and industry standards
Classroom/online instruction (47 hours)
Students have two options for completing their theoretical training. Traditional classroom settings provide face-to-face learning at certified training schools. The SkillsPass™ training platform, through SGI’s partnership with Bluedrop Learning Networks, gives students an online alternative, letting them learn at their own pace and schedule.
Yard training (17.5 hours)
Students master practical vehicle handling skills in a controlled environment. The training covers these maneuvers:
- Pre-trip inspection procedures
- Coupling and uncoupling techniques
- Simple vehicle positioning and control
Behind-the-wheel training (57 hours)
In this final component, students gain extensive hands-on driving experience. Certified instructors supervise them through ground-driving scenarios to help them develop the significant skills needed for commercial driving operations. Their practical training focuses on safety protocols and professional driving techniques that align with national standards.
SGI may waive the MELT requirement for drivers from reciprocal countries outside Canada or the United States who can prove five years of Class 1 experience in the last decade. To qualify for this exemption, drivers must provide proper documentation through a driver’s abstract or official correspondence from their home jurisdiction.
Passing the Required Tests
A Saskatchewan Class 1 license requires candidates to pass all mandatory tests. This achievement is a vital step in getting the license. Candidates must showcase their knowledge and skills through detailed assessments after they complete their MELT training.
Knowledge tests (Class 1, 2, 3, 4, Basic, and Sign)
Commercial driving knowledge tests evaluate several key areas of expertise. Candidates need to pass these tests:
- Class 1 Test (20 questions)
- Class 2 Test (15 questions)
- Class 3 Test (10 questions)
- Class 4 Test (10 questions)
- Basic Class 5 Test (20 questions)
- Sign Test (30 questions)
SGI driver exam offices conduct these tests regularly. Regina and Saskatoon Central offices offer walk-in service from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Other locations require appointments.
Trip inspection demonstration
A trip inspection test reviews how well drivers know to assess their vehicle’s safety and operational condition. Class 1 vehicle drivers must demonstrate their knowledge of:
Component Inspection: Drivers must verify that randomly selected components work properly and are in good condition. They need to spot potential defects and explain the right corrective actions. The inspection covers both truck and trailer components according to Schedule 1 requirements.
Road test in a Class 1 vehicle
A road test reviews how well candidates know how to operate a commercial vehicle safely in traffic conditions of all types. Each candidate must bring a test vehicle that meets these specifications:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Three-axle power unit with minimum 48 ft. trailer |
| Documentation | Valid inspection certificate and trip inspection report |
| Condition | All systems operational (signals, horn, brakes, etc.) |
The test requires candidates to show:
- Their mastery of gear changes through all speeds
- Highway turn-about maneuvers
- Offset backing and alley dock backing
- Coupling and uncoupling procedures
Important: Examiners may deny tests when vehicles show dangerous goods placards or lack proper safety inspection decals. They can also refuse tests if the candidate’s vision or medical fitness falls below the required standards.
Obtaining and Maintaining Your Class 1 License
Drivers must complete all required tests before getting their Saskatchewan Class 1 license, a process requiring several key steps. Drivers must also meet ongoing requirements to stay compliant with provincial regulations.
Applying for your Class 1 license
It would be best to visit a motor license issuer after passing all tests to complete your application. The following documents are required:
- Valid identification documents
- Completed Commercial Driver’s License Medical Report
- MELT program completion certificate
- Knowledge and road test results showing successful completion
License renewal process
Saskatchewan Class 1 licenses remain valid for five years. Drivers can choose between two payment options to renew their license:
| Payment Type | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Payments | CAD 34.70 x 5 | Total: CAD 173.50 |
| Single Payment | CAD 138.80 | Upfront payment |
Important: Drivers whose licenses have expired for more than five years must complete the MELT program and pass all required tests to reinstate them.
Ongoing medical reporting requirements
Commercial drivers must undergo regular medical assessments under the National Safety Code Program. These assessments help maintain commercial driving privileges. The assessment schedule depends on the driver’s age:
- 18-45 years: Every 5 years
- 46-65 years: Every 3 years
- 66 years and older: Annually
SGI mails a Commercial Driver’s License Medical Report form as the due date approaches. A physician, nurse practitioner, or occupational health nurse must complete this form. Drivers need to return the completed form within 90 days. Missing the deadline leads to an automatic downgrade to a Class 5 license.
Special Considerations: Some medical conditions may result in a “W” restriction that limits how drivers operate commercial vehicles in the United States. These restrictions apply to conditions like epilepsy and hearing impairments that affect dangerous goods transport or operations under a medical waiver.
FAQs
What steps are required to obtain a Class 1 driver’s license in Canada?
To acquire a Class 1 driver’s license in Canada, you must complete the Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) program at an Alberta licensed driver training school. Following this, you must pass the driver’s knowledge test, schedule and pass a road test, and finally, visit a registry agent to complete the process.
What does being a Novice 1 driver in Saskatchewan entail?
In Saskatchewan, once a driver turns 16, they can take the road test. Passing this test qualifies them as a Novice 1 driver for six months. During this phase, the driver can only have family members as passengers or one non-family passenger. Additionally, Novice 1 drivers are prohibited from consuming alcohol and using cell phones while driving.
How can one obtain a driver’s license in Saskatchewan?
To get a driver’s license in Saskatchewan, start by confirming your eligibility. Study the Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook thoroughly, then pass the knowledge test to obtain a Learner’s License. Enroll in and complete a Driver’s Education course, practice driving, and pass the road test to get your full driver’s license.
What are the requirements for becoming a tow truck driver in Saskatchewan?
To become a tow truck driver in Saskatchewan, you may need to complete a driver training course, which can last up to three months, offered by vocational schools or community colleges. Depending on the type of tow truck, a Class 3 or D license is necessary for straight-body trucks, while a Class 1 or A license is required for driving long combination vehicles.