EDMONTON, AB — Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation announced his government will now begin to recognize the DND 404 military driver’s permit.

This allows for the awarding of the civilian equivalent commercial licence to serving and recently retired vets who had a valid DND 404 within the qualifying timeframe.

Until now, such military driving qualifications were not transferable into a commercial licence despite the fact that many serving and retired veterans have already acquired the needed driver training, qualifications and experience in the Canadian Armed Forces to drive heavy military vehicles on Canadian roads and abroad.

By now recognizing the commercial equivalent of the various DND 404 military driver permits, vets can more readily and seamlessly transfer into the civilian work force in a variety of commercial driver roles.

“This agreement allows conversion from the DND 404 licence to Alberta driver’s licence classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, allowing applicants to drive semi-tractors, large trucks, buses and limousines, thereby addressing labor shortages in the commercial trucking industry,” said Brian Mason, minister of transportation.

Already in place in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador, this initiative stems from the Helmets to Hardhats Canada program, designed to give Canadian Armed Forces veterans the opportunity to obtain jobs in the construction industry.

“The trucking industry is proud of the government’s efforts to support our troops after their term of service with the Department of National Defence. As the industry faces a shortage of experienced and qualified professionals, we welcome the opportunity to provide employment to these former members of the military,” said Dan Duckering, chairman of the Alberta Motor Transport Association board of directors.