What MELT Covers and Why It Exists
Lesson 2 of 6 in AZ/DZ Written Test & MELT Vocabulary · 30 minutes
Read about Ontario's Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) — the 103.5-hour program that every new AZ driver must complete before the road test. Learn about the Humboldt Broncos tragedy that pushed Canada to adopt mandatory training, the structure of MELT (in-class theory, in-yard practice, on-road driving), the topics covered, and what to expect from a good trucking school. By the end of this lesson, you'll know what to look for when choosing a school, what to ask during a tour, and what to avoid.
What you'll learn
- Describe the three components of MELT (in-class theory, in-yard practice, on-road driving) and approximate hours for each
- Explain why MELT was introduced in Ontario (Humboldt Broncos and other crashes; the lack of standardized training)
- Identify the topics covered in MELT theory (rules, vehicle systems, safe driving, hours of service)
- Recognize a registered MELT school (provincial registration, real equipment, real on-road time)
- Avoid common scams and shortcuts that promise faster paths to AZ
From the lesson
Why MELT Exists
In April 2018, a tractor-trailer driver in Saskatchewan ran a stop sign and collided with a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. Sixteen people were killed; thirteen were injured. The driver had been hired with very little training — no formal program and no testing of his preparedness for the highway. The tragedy shocked Canada and made one fact unavoidable: many provinces had been licensing tractor-trailer drivers with little more than a road test and no required training.
Ontario had moved on this issue earlier. Ontario introduced MELT — Mandatory Entry-Level Training — in July 2017, after years of advocacy from trucking associations and several smaller…