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Driver Licence

• Basic Requirement and Qualification
• Change of Address
• Driver’s Abstract / Confirmation Letter
• Knowledge Test
• New Driver Licence
  • Class 7 & Class 5
  • Commercial Driver Licence
  • Exchange Out of Porvince Licence to Alberta
  • Visitors and Temporary Residents
• ​Renewals
  • Remote Application
• Replacement
• Road Test 

​Identification Card

How to get an Alberta Driver's Licence

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** The Alberta government recently announced that the GDL program in Alberta will change in 2023. For more information on the coming changes, click here. **

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• Stage 1: Class 7 ​Learner's Licence
• Stage 2: Class 5 GDL Licence
• Stage 3: Class 5 Full Licence (Non-GDL)

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Stage 1: Class 7 Learner’s Licence

To get your class 7 learner's licence, you must:

• Be 14 years of age or older
  • Parental or guardian consent is required if you are under 18 years of age
• Pass a class 7 knowledge test
• Pass a vision test

A Class 7 learner’s licence allows you to operate:

• A moped by yourself
• A Class 5 or Class 6 vehicle with someone over the age of 18 who has a full Class 5 driver’s licence. They must sit in the front passenger seat.

Certain restrictions apply when operating a vehicle as a class 7 learner:

1. You cannot drive between the hours between 12:00am and 5:00am
2. Zero tolerance for alcohol while operating a vehicle
3. You cannot drive with more people than there are seat belts in your vehicle
4. You are restricted to 8 demerit points.  Accumulating 8 or more demerit points will result in a suspension

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Steps to get your class 7 learner’s licence:

1. Study the class 7 driver’s guide
2. Visit our registry office to attempt the knowledge test
   1. No appointment is required
   2. Make sure you come in with all the required Identification and residency documents
3. Pass a vision test
   1. Please remember to bring your corrective lens if applicable
4. If you are successful in your knowledge and vision tests, you will be issued a temporary class 7 learner’s licence.  Your permanent licence will be mailed to you, it will arrive in approximately 21 days.

Stage 2: Class 5 Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL)

To get a probationary Class 5-Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL) you must:

• have had a Class 7 learner’s licence with at least one year of driving experience
• be at least 16 years old
  • If you are under 18 years old, parental or guardian consent is required to obtain a class 5 GDL license. 
• Satisfy all identification, legal status and residency requirements -identification and the residency requirement
  • Proof of Identity
  • Proof of Canadian Status
  • Proof of Alberta Residency
• pass a Class 5 road test
• pass a vision test

A Class 5 licence allows you to drive the following motor vehicles:

• a 2-axle single motor vehicle
• a motorhome without airbrakes unless you hold an air brake certificate
• tow a trailer with one or more axles if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes
• a moped, a recreational vehicle, or any combination of recreational vehicles and a trailer, if the trailer has 2 axles or less, and isn’t equipped with airbrakes

​You must drive for 2 years with a Class 5 Graduated Driver's Licence (GDL) with no suspensions for the last year to be able to upgrade to a full Class 5 driver's licence.

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While driving with a Class 5-GDL licence, the following rules apply:

• you cannot drive with more people than there are seat belts in your vehicle
• a GDL licence will be suspended at 8 demerit points
• blood alcohol level of the driver must be 0%
• Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 licence upgrades are not allowed
• a GDL driver cannot be the accompanying driver to a learner

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Steps to get your class 5-GDL licence:

1. Book a road test online or in person at our registry office
2. Review the road test confirmation email and ensure you meet all the requirements including
   1. eligibility
   2. vehicle requirements
   3. required documents
   4. fees and cancellation/no-show policies
3. Arrive at the registry office at least 15-30 minutes prior to your appointment
   1. Make sure you have a valid Vehicle registration and Proof of Insurance (Pink card) 
4. Pass your road test
5. Pass a vision test
6. If you successfully pass the road test and vision test, you will be able to purchase a Class 5 GDL licence card.
   You will be given a temporary licence that is valid for 30 days. Your physical license card will be mailed to the address provided in 21 days. If it has not arrived in 21 days, please call the number on the back of your temporary licence and you’ll be given instructions on what to do. 
7. Report the missing licence to our office within 60 days of applying, or you will be charged for a replacement. (You will need to bring back your interim driver license as well)
8. Once you receive the licence card, please destroy the interim licence.

Stage 3: Class 5 Full Licence (Non-GDL)

Starting April 1, 2023:

Drivers are no longer required to take the advanced road test to exit the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

All drivers who meet the following criteria are eligible to exit the GDL program:

• They must be at least 18 years of age.
• They must have completed the 24 months of probationary driving. Drivers may be eligible to reduce their 24-month probationary period by up to 6 months by completing a Class 5 or Class 6 driver training program from a driver training school licensed by Transportation and Economic Corridors.
• They must be suspension and demerit free for the last 12 months.

To get a Class 5 Full (non-GDL) driver’s licence you must:

• be at least 18 years old
• Hold a valid class 5 GDL driver’s license for a minimum of 2 years or have a minimum of 2 years of driving experience from a foreign country
• Be suspension and demerit point free for the last 12 months
• have acceptable identification and satisfy the residency requirement
  • Proof of Identity
  • Proof of Canadian Status
  • Proof of Alberta Residency​

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