STEPS TO getting an Alberta driver's license

Alberta has a Graduated Driver Licensing program (or “GDL” for short), which has 3 Stages:

Stage 1 – Class 7 – Learner’s licence
Stage 2 – Class 5 (GDL) – Probationary licence
Stage 3 – Class 5 – Non Probationary licence

STAGE 1

To obtain a Learner’s licence (Class 7) you must:

• be 14 years of age or older
• pass a vision test and a knowledge test on the rules of the road
• have parental consent if you are under 18 years of age
• present valid Personal Identification

Class 7 Learner’s licence drivers have the following limitations:

• Must be accompanied by a fully licenced (non-GDL probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and is seated next to the driver.
• Not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m.
• Not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts.
• They will be suspended at 8 demerit points.
• Have a zero alcohol level.

Note: If learning to drive a motorcycle, you must be 16 years of age and are not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m. You must be accompanied by a fully licenced (non-GDL probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and is either seated on the motorcycle with you or is following you in or on another motor vehicle.

Note: Operators of a moped with a Class 7 licence are subject to the zero alcohol level restrictions and are not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m.

STAGE 2

To become a Class 5 GDL probationary driver you must:

• Be 16 years of age or older
• Have held a Class 7 learners licence at least one year
• Pass the basic Alberta Class 5 road test

Probationary conditions and limitations for Alberta Class 5 GDL Drivers:

• Must spend a minimum of two years as a probationary driver
• No more passengers than seat belts
• They will be suspended at 8 demerit points 
• Have a zero alcohol level
• No upgrading to a commercial licence (Classes 1, 2, 3 or 4)
• Cannot serve as an accompanying driver to a learner

STAGE 3

Non-probationary licence (Class 5)

To become a fully licenced driver you must:

• Have been suspension free for the last year of the two-year probationary stage.
• Pass an advanced Class 5 road test.

WHAT TO BRING TO YOUR DRIVING TEST

When you apply for a motor vehicle licence, a registry agent must verify your identity through a strict identity confirmation process.

A registry agent will require information to satisfy the following three categories. Expired documents will not be accepted. At least one of these documents must also prove that you are legally permitted to be in Canada.

PRIMARY PHOTO IDENTIFICATION

Photo documents must contain your legal name and date of birth. Some examples of primary photo identification are (this is not an all-inclusive list):

• Alberta operator’s licence or identification card
• Valid Canadian Passport
• Citizenship card (issued before Feb. 1, 2012)
• NEXUS Card
• Canadian Armed Forces Identification Card
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (SCIS) Card (Federally issued)
• Municipal, Provincial or Federal Police Force Identification.
• Valid foreign Passport with appropriate Immigration documents
• Permanent Resident Card.
• Métis Nations of Alberta Card (new version).
  • Métis ID number is displayed on the face of the card.
  •  The card contains water mark features.

SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

Support documents that contain two data elements such as name, date of birth, signature, address, etc. At least one of these documents must show that you live in Alberta and have a residence here. Some examples of support documents are (this is not an all-inclusive list):

• Birth or Marriage Certificate (original or certified)
• Utility statements, such as cable, telephone, gas, electricity
• Work Visa, Student Visa, Permanent Resident Card
• Canada Citizenship Certificate (issued after February 1, 2012)
• Income tax assessment
• Property tax bill
• Insurance policy documents (life, residential, etc.)
• Government assistance document(s) (e.g. Income Support document, cheque, etc.)

* You may also use another piece of acceptable photo identification as outlined above in lieu of these support documents.

Some examples of UNACCEPTABLE support documents are (this is not an all-inclusive list):

• Interim/temporary driver’s licence
• Business cards
• Video membership cards
• Library card
• Cheque cashing card
• Social insurance number (SIN)

DRIVER LICENCES SERVICES

Important Things to Know before Applying for an Alberta Driver’s License:

If you are a resident of Alberta and looking for some basic information about applying for your Alberta Driver’s License, here are some of the facts that you need to be aware of about Alberta’s Graduated Driver Licensing program.

Alberta offers the following driver’s license classifications for

• Professional drivers of all vehicles (Class 1 Licence)
• Professional bus drivers (Class 2 Licence)
• Drivers of vehicles with 3 (or more) axles (Class 3 Licence)
• Drivers of taxis or ambulances (Class 4 Licence)
• Drivers who will be operating cars, motor homes or lightweight trucks (Class 5 Licence)
• Operators of motorcycles (Class 6 Licence )
• Drivers who are learning how to operate 2 axle vehicles and motorcycles or are driving a moped (also known as a learner’s licence - Class 7 Licence)

Aspiring drivers must demonstrate sufficient skills by passing a knowledge test and a road test in Alberta. There are additional tests given to each and every driving applicant who will be working with large motor vehicles equipped with air brakes.

GETTING STARTED

In order to apply for either a learner’s license or a regular driver’s license, you must be a legal resident of Alberta. All applicants will have to mandatorily submit proof of Canada’s citizenship.

14 years is the minimum age for you to apply for learner’s licence in Alberta. A regular Alberta Driver’s License is available for those individuals who are 18 or older. Teens below 18 should have the legal consent of their respective parent or guardian to apply for any license to drive a vehicle responsibly. Emancipated minors and individuals who are married can apply for an Alberta driver’s license even if they are younger than 18 (need to show proof in both instances).

If you have any medical history or sight problems that could interfere with your ability to properly operate a motor vehicle you need to talk with a representative from the department of driver records before you submit an application. A representative can be reached by dialing this toll free number- (310-0000) 780-427-8230.

After a thorough discussion about your situation with authorized personnel, you might have to submit a medical report approved from your eye specialist or family physician. This report should attest to the fact that a health professional has examined you and is verifying that your medical/visual problems are not going to impede your ability to operate a vehicle.

A new resident in the Alberta province is required to apply for a driver’s licence within 3 months (90 days).

GDL –GRADUATED DRIVER LICENSING

Alberta drivers are now being licenced through GDL. This is a Graduated Driver Licensing program which makes certain that all new drivers are going to display the skills, knowledge, and abilities that are required for proper operation of motor vehicles. This program also helps drivers by offering the opportunity to receive the necessary instruction, experience, and support that they may need in order to successfully pass the road and knowledge tests.

The GDL program has a comprehensive list of driving requirements that each applicant must fulfill. 

It is the responsibility of each licence applicant to make sure that the GDL requirements have been met before they attempt to take the road test. Any road tests that are conducted prior to the completion of the mandated driving experiences will be automatically voided.

*You can check out all of the information and details related to GDL by visiting the website for Alberta Transportation. When you visit this online site you can also view the information that is included in the driver handbooks. You can even challenge your knowledge by taking an online Alberta class 7 practice exam.

TESTING DRIVER KNOWLEDGE

You must first clear the DKT (automated Driver Knowledge Testing System) which is a computer-generated examination. This will be given when you visit Alberta’s registry agent offices.

The computer will choose 30 random questions for you to answer. In order to pass, you must answer at least 25 questions.

This examination is conducted in more than 10 languages including:

English – French – Arabic – Hindi – Farsi
Punjabi – Vietnamese – Spanish – Chinese – Tagalog

Every applicant can also choose audio assistance* at the testing stations. If you choose this option, the test will be conducted verbally. 

*Additional charges will be applied and the service should be requested at the counter prior to the start of the exam 

Once you have successfully cleared the driver knowledge test, your score will be valid for one year. Individuals can apply for a driving licence during this period without having to attend the knowledge test again. It is important to keep in mind that you only receive a permit when you pass this examination. This certification is not valid for independent driving purposes, and you are not yet authorized to be operating any motorized vehicle by yourself. This is only the first step of your journey to earning your driver’s licence.

ROAD TESTING

When you are confident to take up the road test you must schedule an examination time with a registry office or online. A licenced driving examiner will critique your ability and skills behind the wheel.

The cost for a road test will depend on which type of road test you are eligible for.  Prior to scheduling your road test you may want to inquire about the cost, available scheduling times and payment options. You can review more information about these tests by looking at our road test page or by visting in person.

ALBERTA DEMERIT POINTS SYSTEM

If you wish to find out more about demerit points, fines, or even suspension you may be facing in Alberta, check out this complete guide to Alberta demerit points.

MAKING THE ROADS SAFE FOR EVERYONE

The Alberta Driving test has been structured to promote better driver education and ensure higher levels of safety on the road. It is hoped that the standardized testing procedures will give individuals the chance to develop the skills, experience and knowledge that they need to operate motor vehicles safely on the Canadian roadways.