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COMMERCIAL DRIVER TRAINING ON VANCOUVER ISLAND

Are you looking for a new career in the transportation industry? Give us a call today. We can talk about various driving courses available for you. Parkway Driving Academy has been offering a complete line of commercial driver training courses on Vancouver Island for over 15 years. Whether you’re considering class 1 driver training or an air brake course on Vancouver Island, we can help you get started on the right path.

We offer the following professional driver training classes at our Nanaimo facility:
Class 1 

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Class 1 Driver’s License - MELT

On March 31, 2021 the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and ICBC, announced the Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) Program.

The 140-hr training program exceeds the requirements set by the National Safety Code Standard, to ensure new commercial drivers are trained to a higher, consistent standard. 

 

- Students are required to complete the B.C Class 1 MELT program within 12 month of enrollment, but it is expected that the students will finish between 6-8weeks.

- The Framework will provide a minimum required number of practical "In-Cab" hours, "In-Yard" hours and Theoretical classroom hours.

- All training will be delivered by our professional Instructors with many years of experience, providing every student with the knowledge and skills to operate safely on B.C's busy roads and highways.

Class 1 MELT Program - $15,725.00

*ICBC fees are separate

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“Having mandatory entry-level commercial vehicle training will result in better-trained new drivers and improved road safety for everyone in British Columbia” - Rob Flemming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure

 

 

 

 

Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT)- FAQs

*MELT affects driver training requirements for Class 1 only

 

Prerequisites:

  • Minimum age: 19 years old

  • hold a Class 5 BC driver's License

  • Class 1 Learners Licence - Study the "Driving Commerical Vehicles" available at no charge at your local ICBC center

  • $2,500 deposit due upon registration

2023 CLASS 1 MELT SCHEDULE

October 10, 2023 - available

December 2023

more dates to be announced

** Limited space available at this time

Class 2 Driver’s License

This driver’s license allows a person to drive vehicles in Class2 and Class4.

Requirements: Must be 19 years of age and hold a BC Class 5 license.

 

Steps Involved:

Obtain Class 2 learner’s license
Take an air brake endorsement course
Register for driver training
Take pre-trip and road test at ICBC Driver Services once the training is completed
Do a driver’s medical

Training Packages Include:

  • 22 hours of driver training - $3450.00

  • Pre-trip and use of bus before the exam

  • Air brakes are sold separately

We expect that all fees must be in place before training commences. Students are responsible for all ICBC fees as well as medical fees.

 

*Use of the bus for the road test is provided to the students who take our training program.

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Class 3 Driver’s License

This driver’s license allows a person to operate trucks with more than 2 axles such as dump trucks, mobile truck cranes, and large tow trucks.


Requirements: Must be 18 years of age and obtain driver’s abstract from ICBC Driver Services.

 

Steps Involved:

Obtain class 3 learner’s license
Take 20 hours of air brake course
Register for driver training
Take pre-trip and road test at ICBC Driver Services once the training is complete
Do a driver’s medical

Training Package Includes:

  • 38 hours of one-on-one driver training program - $4600.00

  • Air Brakes are sold Separately

Please note: Our program comes with additional classroom time and include all materials. Lessons are taught in 4-hour blocks. 

 

We expect that all fees must be in place before training commences. Students are responsible for all ICBC fees as well as medical fees. Contact us for our pricing.

Class 4 (Unrestricted) Driver’s License

This driver’s license allows a person to operate a bus with a maximum seating capacity of 25 persons, and also taxis, limousines, ambulances, and other vehicles used to transport people with disabilities. The primary focus of the program is pre-trip inspection, road craft, and passenger safety. The students will be provided with a handbook of instructions for easy reference. 


Requirements:

Must be 19 years of age
Must have a class 4 learner’s license in order to register for the program

Training Package Includes:

6-hours of training (use of the van for the road test) - $725.00

We expect that all fees must be in place before training commences. ICBC fees are paid separately.


*Use of the van for the road test is provided to the students who take our training program.

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Government Certified Air Brake Course

With this course, we’ll provide the students with both theoretical and practical knowledge on operating vehicles that are equipped with air brakes.


Training Package Includes:

16 hours of air brake theory
4-hour practical training on trucks, pre-trip inspections, and brake adjustment instructions
An examination on practical learning is conducted on a one-on-one basis with the instructor
Completion certificate will be taken to ICBC Driver Services within 90 days, and a computerised exam is conducted
Upon successful completion, you’ll have an air brake endorsement 15 on your driver’s license
Course also includes an air brake manual

Requirements and Policy

Fees are due when participant registers for the course
Refunds given up to 7 days prior to the course minus a $20.00 cancellation fee
Attendance for the 2 ½ days is mandatory for obtaining the completion certificate as per ICBC regulations
There are no refunds if a person does not complete the course

To learn more about our professional driver training courses on Vancouver Island, give us a call today.

Upcoming Course Dates – Schedule Below

Course Name

Air Brakes  $ 275.00

Friday 5:45 PM – 10:00 PM - Office opens at 5:30 pm for sign in

Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Sunday 8:00 AM – Noon

Assessments

Sunday 12:30 PM – 4:30 PM

 

 

Dates

Due to high demand and limited seating, our courses have been selling out quickly - We take names for waitlists

Please call the office for more information

               

2023

October 13, 14 & 15 - waitlist

November 3, 4 & 5 - waitlist 

November 17, 18 & 19 - available

December 1, 2 & 3 - available

December 8, 9 & 10 - available

 

more dates to be announced

 

 

Fees are due upon registration for the course. Refunds given up to 7 days prior to the start date minus a $20.00 cancellation fee.

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Ready to start your career?

Parkway Driving Academy can help you achieve a safe and professional driving experience.

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