Alberta Class 1 Commercial cheat sheet

A Class 1 licence authorizes operation of a tractor-trailer or any truck-trailer combination where the towed unit exceeds 4,600 kg.

Class 1 also covers a motor vehicle with a trailer exceeding 4,600 kg, and any vehicle covered by lower classes.

Mandatory entry-level training (MELT) in Alberta requires a minimum of 113 hours of instruction before the Class 1 road test.

Minimum age for a Class 1 learner's permit is 18; a graduated driver licensing exemption does not apply to commercial classes.

A Class 1 learner must hold the permit and drive only under supervision of a fully licensed Class 1 driver seated beside them.

Air brake endorsement (Q) requires a written air brake test and a practical air brake inspection; it is a separate endorsement.

The knowledge test for Class 1 covers air brakes, hours of service, cargo securement, weights and dimensions, and inspection.

A medical examination report is required at application and periodically thereafter based on the driver's age and medical status.

Demerit suspension thresholds apply: 15 points for fully licensed drivers; commercial drivers face stricter carrier safety monitoring.

A pre-trip inspection must be completed within 24 hours before driving and is valid only for that vehicle configuration.

The inspection covers: coupling system, air brake system, lights, tires, wheels, steering, suspension, exhaust, and load security.

The fifth wheel must be checked for proper engagement: pull the tractor forward with the trailer brake applied to confirm the kingpin is locked.

Tire tread depth minimum for steer tires is 4 mm; drive and trailer tires require at least 2 mm in the major grooves.

Air brake system check: with the engine off, the system must not lose more than 3 psi per minute (single vehicle) or 4 psi (combination) with brakes released.

Low-air warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi; the spring brakes must apply automatically between 20 and 45 psi.

A trip inspection report must be completed every 24 hours and retained by the carrier for at least 31 days.

Defects that affect safe operation must be recorded and the vehicle taken out of service until repaired, per the defect schedule.

Daily inspection records must identify the vehicle, the driver, the date, and any defects found and the corrective action taken.

Normal operating air pressure range is 100 to 120 psi; the compressor governor cuts out near 120 psi and cuts in near 100 psi.

The low-pressure warning device (buzzer/light) must activate before pressure falls below 60 psi.

The spring (parking) brakes apply automatically when system pressure drops to approximately 20 to 45 psi.

A leak-down test: charge to full pressure, shut off engine, hold brakes released for one minute - loss must not exceed 3 psi (single) or 4 psi (combination).

Applied leak test: hold the brake pedal fully, one minute - loss must not exceed 4 psi (single) or 6 psi (combination).

The alcohol evaporator or air dryer removes moisture; drain air tanks daily to prevent freeze-up and brake failure.

Brake fade occurs from overheating; control speed by gearing down before descending a grade rather than riding the brakes.

Stopping distance increases with speed and weight; the total stopping distance equals perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance.

When brakes fail, downshift, use engine braking, and apply the emergency/parking brake gradually; do not lock the wheels.

Aggregate working load limit (WLL) of all tiedowns must equal at least 50% of the cargo weight.

Minimum number of tiedowns: one for cargo up to 1.52 m (5 ft) and 500 kg; two for cargo longer than 1.52 m or heavier than 500 kg.

Cargo must be secured to prevent shifting; any load that could shift must be blocked, braced, or tied down.

Each tiedown must be attached to the vehicle and the cargo so that it can be tightened and remains tight during transit.

Edge protection is required where tiedowns could be cut or abraded by the cargo or vehicle edges.

Front-end structures must withstand a load equal to 0.4 times the cargo weight; rear-end structures 0.25 times; side structures 0.5 times.

Cargo must not extend beyond the front of the vehicle; rear overhang limits apply and a red flag or light is required for overhangs.

Inspect tiedowns and cargo at the start of the trip and after the first 80 km, then every 3 hours or 240 km thereafter.

Commodity-specific rules apply to logs, dressed lumber, metal coils, concrete pipe, intermodal containers, vehicles, and boulders.

Maximum legal gross vehicle weight on Alberta highways is 63,500 kg under a permit; standard legal limit is 36,287 kg (80,000 lb) for most configurations.

Steering axle weight limit is 5,500 kg; single axle limit is 9,100 kg; tandem axle group limit is 17,000 kg.

Tridem axle group limit is 24,000 kg; the maximum weight depends on the number of tires and axle spacing.

Maximum legal width is 2.6 m; maximum height is 4.15 m; maximum length for a tractor-trailer combination is 23 m.

Overweight permits are required when axle or gross weights exceed the legal limits shown on the vehicle's registration.

Weight must be distributed so no axle or axle group exceeds its rated capacity; bridge formula limits apply to axle spacing.

Over-dimensional loads require permits and escorts depending on width, height, and length thresholds.

A weigh scale (stationary or mobile) may be used to verify weights; drivers must stop when directed by an inspection officer.

Registered gross weight must cover the actual loaded weight; operating overweight voids insurance coverage in many cases.

Maximum driving time is 13 hours in a 24-hour period; maximum on-duty time is 14 hours, followed by 10 consecutive hours off duty.

A driver must take at least 8 consecutive hours off duty in each 24-hour cycle, and 10 hours off after a 13-hour driving day.

Cycle limits: 70 hours on duty in 7 days, or 120 hours on duty in 14 days, with a mandatory 24-hour or 72-hour reset.

Daily log must be completed for each 24-hour period and current, including all duty status changes, and retained for 6 months.

Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are mandatory for most commercial carriers; paper logs allowed only under specific exemptions.

A driver must carry the previous 14 days of logs (or ELD records) and produce them on demand to an officer.

Sleeper berth split: the 10-hour off-duty can be split into two periods, one of at least 8 hours and one of at least 2 hours.

Adverse driving conditions may extend the 13-hour driving limit by up to 2 hours in specific circumstances.

On-duty time includes inspection, fueling, loading/unloading, and waiting time when the driver is required to remain with the vehicle.

A trip inspection must be performed every 24 hours on a commercial vehicle and a report filed even if no defects are found.

The trip inspection report must be signed by the driver and retained by the carrier for at least 31 days.

Defects are categorized as major or minor; major defects require the vehicle to be taken out of service until repaired.

The National Safety Code Standard 13 sets out the trip inspection requirements; carriers must follow the provincial schedule of defects.

A carrier must maintain a written safety program including maintenance schedules, driver training, and collision reporting.

Collisions involving injury, death, or property damage above the threshold must be reported to the carrier and to police.

Drivers must carry a valid licence, registration, insurance, and, where required, permits and inspection documents.

A driver must not operate a vehicle with a known defect that affects safe operation; the driver is responsible for reporting defects.

Carrier Safety Fitness ratings and on-road inspections can trigger audits; carriers must keep records available for inspection.

A 24-hour log day begins at the hour chosen by the carrier and must be consistent; all duty status changes are recorded to the nearest minute.

Off-duty and sleeper berth time count toward the required rest; on-duty not driving counts toward the 14-hour window but not driving time.

The 14-hour on-duty window is not extended by breaks; any driving after the 14th hour is prohibited.

A mandatory 30-minute break is required after 8 hours of driving or on-duty time in some jurisdictions; verify provincial rule.

Deferral of off-duty time is available in some provinces for up to 2 hours per day, subject to conditions.

Personal use of a commercial vehicle is permitted under specific conditions and does not count as on-duty in some cases.

Emergency or adverse conditions exemptions must be documented and do not permit driving beyond the daily limits without justification.

Records must be produced at the request of a peace officer; falsifying logs is an offence under provincial and federal law.

Carriers must monitor driver hours and ensure compliance; a driver cannot be required to drive beyond the legal limits.

Check all lights: headlights, high beams, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, clearance lights, and marker lights.

Check tires for cuts, bulges, tread separation, and proper inflation; dual tires must not touch and must be matched in size.

Check wheels for cracked rims, loose lug nuts, and rust streaks indicating loose fasteners.

Check the coupling system: fifth wheel jaws closed around the kingpin, safety latch engaged, and trailer air lines properly connected.

Check the landing gear is fully raised and the mud flaps are secure; check the rear impact guard.

Check the steering for excessive play (more than 10 degrees free play at the steering wheel is a defect).

Check the suspension: broken leaves, loose U-bolts, air bag leaks, and proper ride height.

Check the exhaust system for leaks and secure mounting; a leak into the cab is a serious hazard.

Check the emergency equipment: fire extinguisher, triangles, and spare fuses are present and serviceable.