Alberta Transportation Information Hoarding: Ministerial Order 20/25 – Key Regulatory Changes Affecting Carriers

On May 12, 2025, Alberta’s Minister of Transportation, Devin Dreeshen, signed Ministerial Order 20/25, which introduced amendments to the Commercial Vehicle Certificate and Insurance Regulation (AR 314/2002). These changes are already in effect and impact driver recordkeeping requirements, NSC Standard 15 audit scoring, and NCCR evaluations.

Despite reaching out to Alberta Transportation Compliance and Oversight and the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA), I have received no clarification or further information on the updated requirements or the prescribed new form. Stakeholders are left without guidance on compliance changes that are now enforceable.

Summary of Key Changes to Section 41(1): Driver Records

Previous Regulation:

Carriers were required to maintain the following:

  • (a) A completed application form including a 3-year employment history
  • (b) A driver’s abstract dated within 30 days of hire
  • (c) Annual updated driver abstracts
  • (d) The 3-year employment history (repeated for clarity)

Revised Regulation (Post-Ministerial Order 20/25):

  • (a) The application form now includes employment history – the 3-year employment history requirement is removed
  • (b) The requirement for an abstract upon hire is removed
  • (c) The annual abstract clause now includes the requirement for an abstract within 30 days of hire

My Interpretation of the Changes:

The revised wording appears to consolidate several previous requirements:

  • The application and employment history are now merged into one item.
  • The abstract upon hire and annual abstract are now a combined requirement.

Impact on NSC Standard 15 & NCCR Audit Scoring

Previously, carriers could earn up to 4 points across four individual audit questions. Now, due to the consolidation:

  • Only 2 broader clauses appear to remain.
  • If a carrier complies with one part (e.g., abstract upon hire) but fails another (e.g., annual abstract), the entire clause is scored “no,” resulting in the loss of both points.

Key Concern:

This scoring method could disadvantage carriers and negatively impact audit results unless there is an accompanying change to the scoring methodology—which has not been communicated by Alberta Transportation.

New Requirement: Record of Commercial Driving Experience (driver exit abstract)

Ministerial Order 20/25 introduces two new sections: 31.3 and 31.4.

Section 31.3(1–2):

  • Requires carriers to maintain a record of commercial driving experience for each driver.

Section 31.4(1–2):

  • Requires carriers to provide a commercial driving experience certificate when a driver departs.

My Understanding:

This relates to drivers transitioning from Learning Pathway (Alberta-only restricted license) to a full Class 1 license. However, the specific certificate format or template has not been made available.

What Should Carriers Do Now?

Here’s my advice until further direction is provided:

✅ Update your safety program driver recordkeeping policies:

  • Ensure your driver application form includes employment history.
  • Remove the outdated requirement for 3-year employment history.
  • Ensure your driver abstract process includes an abstract within 30 days of hire and is updated annually.

✅ Review your driver files:

  • Merge abstract records if they are kept separately (e.g., one for hire and one annual).
  • Revise your hiring policies and forms to reflect current regulation.

⚠️ Regarding the commercial driving experience certificate:

  • Do not take action on this requirement until the Registrar provides a prescribed form or official guidance.
  • If you are penalized in an NSC Audit, NCCR, or investigation for not having this form:
    • Appeal immediately or challenge it in court.

Final Thoughts & Call to Action

It has now been over a month since the Order was signed, and Alberta Transportation has failed to provide adequate updates or resources to affected carriers. This level of information hoarding puts carriers at risk of non-compliance through no fault of their own.

What You Can Do:

  • Email Alberta Transportation Compliance and Oversight to request:
    • A template of the commercial driving experience certificate.
    • Clarification on the updated scoring structure for NSC audits.

I will continue reaching out to Alberta Transportation and the AMTA. As soon as I receive any updates, I will post a follow-up blog.

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