On Monday morning SGI announced new mandatory minumum training requirments for commercial semi drivers.

Starting March 15 of next year, all drivers looking to acquire their Class 1 commercial licence in the province will have to partake in a minimun of 121.5 hours of training.

The new curriculum will include lessons in the classroom, in the yard and behind the wheel and will focus on basic driving techniques, habits, vehicle inspections and air brakes. The tests taken by those drivers will be updates as well, with Class 1 road tests being given only by SGI examiners.

Another change that will be implemented March 15 is that all semi drivers participating in farming operations must obtain their 'F' endorsement on their current driver's license. That endorsement will only be valid in Saskatchewan.