How to get an Alberta Driver's Licence
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 drive:
- A moped by yourself
- A Class 5 or Class 6 vehicle with someone over 18 who has a full Class 5 driver’s licence. They must sit in the front passenger seat.
- You cannot drive during the hours between 12:00am and 5:00am
- You must have 0% alcohol levels when driving at all times
- You cannot drive with more people than there are seat belts in your vehicle
- You are allowed 8 demerit points before receiving a suspension of your licence
Steps to get your class 7 learner’s licence:
- Study the driver’s guide and try the practice exams
- Take a knowledge test at our registry office
- No appointment is required
- Make sure you come in with all the required Identification and residency documents
- Pass a vision test
- Please remember to bring your corrective lens if applicable
- If you successfully pass the knowledge test and vision test, you will be able to purchase a Class 7 learner’s 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 hasn’t arrived in 21 days, call the number on the back of your temporary licence and you’ll be given instructions on what to do.
- 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)
- Once you receive the licence card, please destroy the interim licence.
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’re under 18, you must have written consent from your parents or guardian
- have acceptable identification and satify the residency requirement
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Canadian Residency
- Proof of Alberta Residency
- pass a Class 5 Basic road test
- pass a vision test
A Class 5 licence allows you to drive the following motor vehicles:
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.
- 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.
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
Steps to get your class 5-GDL licence:
- Book a road test online or in person at our registry office
- Review the road test confirmation email and ensure you meet all the requirements including
- eligibility
- vehicle requirements
- required documents
- fees and cancellation/no-show policies
- Arrive at the registry office at least 15-30 minutes prior to your appointment
- Make sure you have a valid Vehicle registration and Proof of Insurance (Pink card)
- Pass your road test
- Pass a vision test
- 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. - 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)
- Once you receive the licence card, please destroy the interim licence.
Stage 3: Class 5 Full Licence (Non-GDL)
Before you can get a Class 5 Full driver’s licence, you must have a Class 5 Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL) for at least 2 years with no suspensions in the last year.
To get a Class 5 Full (non-GDL) driver’s licence you must:
- be at least 18 years old
- drive for at least 2 years as a Class 5-GDL driver
- have no licence suspensions during the last 12 months of the Class 5-GDL licence stage
- have acceptable identification and satisfy the residency requirement
- Proof of Identity
- Proof of Canadian Residency
- Proof of Alberta Residency
- pass a Class 5 Advance road test
- pass a vision test
Steps to get your class 5 Full licence:
- Book a road test online or in person at our registry office
- Review the road test confirmation email and ensure you meet all the requirements including
- eligibility
- vehicle requirements
- required documents
- fees and cancellation/no-show policies
- Arrive at the registry office at least 15-30 minutes prior to your appointment
- Make sure you have valid Vehicle registration and Proof of Insurance (Pink card)
- Pass your road test
- Pass a vision test
- If you successfully pass the road test and vision test, you will be able to purchase a Class 5 Full 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. - 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)
- Once you receive the licence card, please destroy the interim licence.
