Ontario truck driver training school group proposes $6,500 minimum MELT fee
A group representing 50 Ontario truck driver training schools is proposing a minimum fee of $6,500 to provide mandatory entry-level training (MELT).
Narinder Singh Jaswal, president of the Ontario Commercial Truck Training Association (OCTTA), told trucknews.com that although a maximum fee cap exists and varies by school, there is no minimum price point, creating inconsistencies in training.
Noting that some driving schools offer MELT programs at low price points, Jaswal questioned how proper training could be provided and wondered if corners were being cut.
About 35 OCTTA members met Nov. 27 in Mississauga, Ont., and agreed to propose a minimum MELT training price.
Jaswal said his group will reach out to the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO), which has 56 accredited schools, along with other associations and stakeholders.
Market decides price at the moment
Philip Fletcher, TTSAO president, said he would be in favor of putting the $6,500 minimum price proposal forward but is not counting on it being accepted.
Truck driving schools are private career colleges under the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU), and Fletcher noted that the ministry prefers an open marketplace that determines the cost of training.
He also questioned whether driving schools presently charging $3,000 or $3,500 for MELT would provide proper training or continue to cut corners. “If they are paid more, they would just make more income,” Fletcher said.
One hour of drive time costs $125
Jeff McKay, president of Kitchener, Ont.-based Transport Driver Training, said he would be okay with the minimum training fee proposal. He said it was impossible to provide proper training by charging students $3,000 or $4,000.
Breaking down the costs, McKay said that factoring in fuel, wages, insurance, and wear and tear, it comes to about $125 to $150 per hour of drive time. It costs him a minimum of $3,700 to provide a student with 32 hours of drive time.
OCTTA’s Jaswal said that members will send letters to the association in support of the proposal this weekend. The group is planning to forward the proposal to the MCU and the Ministry of Transportation next week.
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I thought price fixing (collusion) was illegal.
The entire MELT program needs a reboot. My understanding is that any upgrade to an AZ license requires the full MELT program. Someone with 10 yrs experience in a triaxle dump with DZ licensing needs to take the full course to upgrade to AZ so he can pull a pony pup driving the same truck he has driven for 10yrs? I understand the added weight and length but surely to God there is a difference (or there should be) between a no experience driver and someone with experience with handling weights. There needs to be a distinction between entry level and upgrade.
Enacting a minimum fee will not stop the unscrupulous operators from scamming
Schools should demonstrate that all can instruct students properly. Price doesn’t always guarantee quality. Stop turning out unqualified students with questionable skills to be drivers
A mandatory minimum with no oversight and enforcement just means the bad schools who are currently charging $3500.00 and not teaching the required 103.5 hours will just charge $3 grand more, teach the same amount of hours and make more money for being corrupt….