Alberta is tightening enforcement in the trucking sector with a series of actions targeting unsafe driver training schools, non-compliant carriers and exploitative employment practices, part of a broader push to strengthen road safety.

The province has intensified oversight of commercial driver training operations through audits, inspections and targeted investigations. That effort has resulted in the closure of five driver training schools, the issuance of 39 disciplinary letters, more than $100,000 in administrative penalties, six corrective action plans, the revocation of 12 instructor licences and four warning letters sent to driver examiners.

Authorities have also taken 13 trucking companies off the road due to unsafe practices, poor safety records or failure to meet regulatory standards. Among them, seven were identified as so-called “chameleon” carriers — operators that try to avoid scrutiny by changing company names, creating new entities or relocating operations across provincial boundaries. Alberta is coordinating with federal and provincial partners to close these enforcement gaps, and a national database is in development to prevent carriers from exploiting weaknesses in data sharing between jurisdictions.

Work is underway to elevate professional standards in commercial driving by aligning training with national benchmarks and pursuing Red Seal trade designation for the sector. Industry groups, including the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada, have endorsed this approach as a way to improve safety and enhance professionalism across the industry.

The province is also cracking down on the “Drivers Inc.” model, a misclassification practice in which companies label drivers as independent contractors to avoid payroll taxes and benefits. These arrangements often leave drivers without proper oversight or training. A week-long inspection in July 2025 found that roughly 20 per cent of 195 drivers checked were suspected of being misclassified, including several temporary foreign workers.

Alberta continues to strengthen its regulatory framework with new training requirements and improved oversight. The Class 1 Learning Pathway, launched in April, now requires 125 to 133 hours of in-truck instruction — well above the national minimum — and introduces stricter licensing rules for training schools, mandatory safety equipment standards and enhanced instructor monitoring. Students also have access to a more robust complaints process to ensure consistent, high-quality training.

By the end of 2025, driver experience records will follow individual drivers rather than companies, increasing transparency for employers and insurers. The province has committed $54.1 million over three years to support driver recruitment, training, onboarding, retention and industry diversification.

Enforcement remains ongoing, with regular audits, inspections and investigations to ensure compliance with safety standards and the Code of Conduct and Ethics. Non-compliant training schools, instructors and examiners are subject to corrective measures, including re-education, administrative penalties, suspensions or licence cancellations.