Frequently Asked Questions

Most of our class 2 and class 3 students begin by taking the Air Brake course with us, then write the Air Brake knowledge and Learners exams with ICBC at the same time. Class 1 MELT students will need to take the ICBC class 1 knowledge test first (which also includes air brakes questions), in order to be accepted into the MELT program.

To get started studying for your knowledge tests, you can pick up the free “Guide to Driving Commercial Vehicles” book from any Valley Driving School office or your local ICBC location. There are also online practice exams available HERE. We would recommend scheduling an appointment for your knowledge tests with ICBC asap as they are quite backed up for appointments. You can make an appointment for a knowledge test with ICBC online or via phone at 1-800-950-1498.

Effective October 18, 2021, a person applying for a new BC class 1 driver’s licence must successfully complete the BC Class 1 MELT Course before attempting an ICBC class 1 road test.

The only exception to this may be someone who received a class 1 licence in another province as BC will recognize the full class 1 MELT courses from other provinces, but with some exceptions. Ontario class 1 drivers may be required to complete an Air Brake Course and pass an air brake pretrip inspection. Alberta class 1 drivers who have only completed the Alberta class 1 “Experience & Equivalency Course” will be required to complete BC’s full Class 1 MELT Course. Documentation detailing your training/testing from another province will be required.

As in the other Canadian provinces with a class 1 MELT requirement, BC will not provide any sector specific exemptions for drivers who require a class 1 driver’s licence to operate within an industry.

This aligns with feedback from the BC trucking industry and driver training industry that basic entry-level training is necessary to operate heavy vehicles that require a class 1 driver’s licence. This is necessary for road safety reasons regardless of what industry a driver is operating in, where they may be operating, or how frequently they are operating.​

Contact ICBC at 1-800-663-3051 for more information and to discuss your specific licensing needs or check out our MELT FAQ page for more answers to frequently asked questions about class 1 MELT.

Choosing a driving school can be confusing, there are many schools and training programs to choose from. Any school must be licensed by ICBC and each Instructor must have a professional driver training Instructor licence along with completing the necessary criminal and medical checks.

But beyond those very minimum requirements, a driving school should be:

• Flexible to your needs. Multiple office locations can offer options for dates and times for classes that meet your scheduling needs. Instructor and lesson availability will allow you to choose appointments that work for your busy schedule.

• Teaching more than to pass the road test. Memorizing certain areas or routes may help you pass the road test but it will not make a safe, confident driver that can drive independently. Coaching students to think independently creates a safe and confident driver who, as a result of their strong driving skills, will pass the road test. By coaching on how to make safe decisions rather than just telling students what to do, it allows the student to develop the necessary critical thinking to make the correct decisions during their lifetime of driving. Once the driving Instructor or qualified supervisor is no longer in the vehicle, has the new driver developed the ability to make their own safe and confident decisions? If a student has always been told what to do when making a left turn, will they be able to confidently and safely make that left turn while no one is there to direct them?

• Offering a variety of Instructors. Are you able to request a certain Instructor or describe the type of Instructor you’d like to be matched with? If you want to change Instructors, is the school able to accommodate a change?

• Consistently upgrading the knowledge and skills of their Instructors. Continual training and upgrading ensure Instructors are always up to date with all driving rules & regulations and are providing accurate information to their students. Routine evaluations of an Instructor’s teaching methods provides you with the confidence to know you are receiving highest quality training sessions.

• Recommendations from others. Ask friends and neighbours; have they or someone they know taken training, can they recommend a school? Why did they choose this school? What feedback or reviews have been posted online?

• Check details. A school’s cancellation policy/charges and privacy agreements should be available and will allow you to ensure your investment and information is safe.

• Offering progress reports. Does the Instructor summarize the training session and provide a report for you to review? Lessons should be in conjunction with practicing with a qualified supervisor. Completing a progress report will help the supervisor know the areas to review to ensure on-going driver development.

Driving a commercial vehicle is a lot of responsibility and there are many things to learn to be a safe, confident driver. On-road training in conjunction with pre-trip training and classroom sessions will ensure you are a qualified driver who will be safe on-road and successful during your road test. Depending on what type of truck you plan on driving and where you hope to work, we can recommend the right training program for you. We would also be happy to conduct a lesson to provide you with feedback so that you and our Instructor can decide which training program would be recommended.

If learning with a friend/employer is an option for you, that can be a great supplement to lessons and will provide a better understanding of the on-road, pre-trip and air brake inspections for a commercial driver based on Industry standards and on ICBC’s expectations for the road test.

Most buses have automatic transmissions and we offer class 2 automatic training on our school bus. Class 2 licence holders are also qualified to drive any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in class 4, including working for ride-hailing compaines.

We offer a variety of training options to companies and their employees. Please contact us at 604-856-0115 or by email so that we can connect you to our Corporate Relations department.

We have group pre-trip courses available to you as part of your program and your Instructor will also cover pre-trip procedures during your training with us.

Our online training website is also a great resource when practicing your pre-trip for your road test.

Yes, we can arrange your lessons for Saturdays and Sundays for class 2, class 3 and class 4 students. We would recommend being available 2-3 times a week in order to keep your training consistent and relevant prior to the road test.

Our Instructors are available daytime, evenings, and weekends to accommodate a variety of schedules.

Class 1 MELT training dates and times are pre-scheduled with no flexibility in re-scheduling. Daytime, evening & weekend availability is required in order to complete the 8-12 week class 1 MELT program.

Our Instructors would be happy to complete a lesson and advise you of your current strengths and skills as well as any habits that may require additional practice prior to testing.

If you have already previously taken a road test on your own, we would be happy to schedule the use of our vehicle for an ICBC Road Test at your earliest convenience. If you still have your original test papers, we would recommend scheduling time for you and our Instructor to go over the results.

Yes! Valley Driving School students are in high demand with employers. Current students and graduates receive exclusive access to our online job board where reputable employers in the transportation industry are looking to hire Valley Driving School graduates. Apply for employment that matches the class of licence you are currently training for, or have recently obtained.

Yes! We offer interest-free payment options! Training may be scheduled upon receipt of a deposit towards your program, with the balance being due during the course of your training. Details regarding a payment plan for your specific training schedule can be discussed further with our office staff.

If you wish, you may pre-pay for your package and should you decide that you will not require the entire package, we will only charge you for the training you received and we will refund the balance.

Students may receive funding through various sources such as WorkBC, WorksafeBC, YWCA, Douglas College, RRSPs & RESPs. For those new to the country both ISS of BC and Windmill Microlending provide low interest loans to fund local training for immigrants. If you are looking at another company for funding, you are more than welcome to attend any of our offices to receive a personalized Acceptance Letter and a packet of information.

More information regarding other funding options and grant opportunities can be found via the Government of BC website.