Military driver qualifications now transferable

The B.C. Government, ICBC, and DND are supporting transitioning military personnel and retired veterans by transferring their truck driving credentials to commercial licences,  and by removing any requirement for additional testing.

This will provide transitioning military personnel and recently retired veterans with a marketable qualification and new career opportunities in the commercial trucking industry.

“Military members transitioning out of the Canadian Armed Forces into civilian life can face many challenges as they seek out new employment. The announcement by the B.C. government and ICBC eliminates one of those key hurdles for many of our current and former serving members,” said Rear Admiral Gilles Couturier, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific. “I thank the Province of British Columbia, the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, and Helmets to Hardhats for working so closely with us to support the men and women who serve, by recognizing military driver’s license as a valid professional qualification in the province.”

This agreement allows retired and active members with a DND driver’s licence to obtain an equivalent B.C. commercial licence (class 1, 2, 3 or 4). The streamlined approach allows applicants with prior DND credentials to drive semi-tractors, large trucks, buses and limousines. To further support military driver transition, B.C. will also issue class 5 or 7 passenger vehicle licences without additional testing to drivers with equivalent DND credentials.

The newly signed agreement by the B.C. government, ICBC, and DND goes into effect Jan. 25.

Removing this hurdle for military personnel and veterans in B.C. is part of an initiative spearheaded by the national non-profit group, Helmets to Hardhats Canada.

Helmets to Hardhats Canada is focused on providing members of the Canadian Armed Forces with opportunities for apprenticeship training and/or careers, with good wages and benefits in Canada’s unionized building, construction and maintenance industries.

“We are happy to help current and retired Canadian Forces members continue to use their well-earned commercial driving skills once they decide to leave the military, and this initiative will also help fill the growing labour shortage in this industry,” said Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

The Conference Board of Canada estimates Canada could experience a labour shortage of 25,000 to 33,000 trained and qualified truck drivers by 2020. The introduction of this initiative will directly address labour shortages in the commercial trucking industry.

For more information on how to exchange your DND licence, go to:
www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Pages/exchange-dnd-licence.aspx

For more information on Helmets to Hardhats Canada, go to:
www.helmetstohardhats.ca/en/home.htm

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