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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 Province Licence to Alberta
• ​Renewals
  • Remote Application
• Replacement
• Road Test 

​Identification Card

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta

If you are living in Alberta permanently, you must:

• exchange your current driver's licence for an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province
  • this applies even if you travel outside Alberta during those 90 days
• hand in your valid provincial or territorial driver’s licence to a registry agent, including professional class licences
• provide proof that you live in Alberta (See ID requirement)
• provide proof of residence in Canada (See ID requirement)

• Canadian Licence
• Countries with Reciprocal Licensing Agreements
• Other Countries Exchange

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Canadian Driver's Licence

Exchange a licence from another province

A valid license from another Canadian jurisdiction can be exchanged for an equivalent class (Classes 1 through 7) of operator's license.  Testing is not normally required.  A medical and vision screening is required for Classes 1, 2 and 4.  Please refer to this page if you are switching your class 1 or class 2 licence to Alberta. Applicants must provide acceptable identification (one from each category) and proof of residency as stated below.

1. Photo Identification
2. ​Proof of Canadian Residency
​3. Proof of Alberta Residency (Must be dated within 90 days)

​You’ll be given an Alberta’s driver’s licence equal to the class of licence you are exchanging. If you have not held the Class 5 (standard driver's licence) or Class 6 (motorcycle) licence for a minimum of two years, you may be placed into the graduated drivers licence (GDL) program.

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Some examples of unacceptable support documents are:

• Bank or credit cards
• Interim/temporary driver's license
• Business cards
• Cheque cashing cards
• Library card
• Financial responsibility insurance card (pink card)
• Social Insurance Number cards

For clients under the age of 18 years old, consent of parents/legal guardians is required.

Countries with Reciprocal Licensing Agreements

Alberta has Reciprocal Licensing Agreements with the following countries:

• Australia 
• Austria 
• Belgium 
• France 
• ​Germany 

• ​Isle of Man
• Japan
• Northern Ireland
• Netherlands
• ​Republic of Korea

• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• Republic of Ireland
  
• United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain
  
• ​United States

A valid license from a country that has a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with Alberta can be exchanged for a Class 5 license when the applicant presents a valid license of equivalent class.

The reciprocal licensing agreements with Australia, Isle of Man, Switzerland, Northern Ireland and the United States include the exchange of a class 6 (motorcycle) license when the applicant presents a valid license of equivalent class.  All applicants must produce immigration and residency documentation along with acceptable identification (one from each category) and proof of residency as stated below.

1. Photo Identification
2. ​Proof of Canadian Residency
​3. Proof of Alberta Residency (Must be dated within 90 days)

Some examples of unacceptable support documents are:

• Bank or credit cards
• Interim/temporary driver's license
• Business cards
• Cheque cashing cards
• Library card
• Financial responsibility insurance card (pink card)
• Social Insurance Number cards

For clients under the age of 18 years old, consent of parents/legal guardians is required.

A certified translation is required if your driver's licence is not in English. For a list of approved translator, please refer to this document - Approved Document Translator

Exchanging a License from a Non-Reciprocal Jurisdiction

For jurisdictions without a reciprocal license exchange agreement, the process involves passing a knowledge test, surrendering your current driver’s license, and completing a road test.

To exchange your license for an Alberta driver’s license, follow these steps:

• Visit our office to take the Class 7 knowledge test.
• Surrender all valid and expired licenses in your possession. As per the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation of the Traffic Safety Act, all out-of-Alberta issued licenses must be relinquished prior to obtaining an Alberta license.
• Provide government issued photo identification
• Provide proof of Alberta residency.
• Provide documentation verifying your legal status in Canada.

For clients under the age of 18 years old, consent of parents/legal guardians is required. A certified translation is required if your driver’s licence is not in English. For a list of approved translator, please refer to this document – Approved Document Translator
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Upon successful completion of the knowledge test, you will be issued a Class 7 license. The registry agent will assess your eligibility for the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Exemption Program and provide an application if applicable. Your license, GDL exemption application, and supporting documents will be forwarded to the Service Alberta Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for review.

During the SIU review period, you may operate a vehicle with your Class 7 license under the supervision of a driver who is at least 18 years old and holds a full Class 5 (or higher class) driver’s license.

After 10 business days from your application date, return to the registry office. The agent will confirm your application status and, if eligible, schedule a road test for a Class 5 license. If you do not qualify for the GDL exemption program, you must continue to meet Class 7 license requirements until you become eligible for a Class 5 license. For more information about the Class 7 license, please refer to the “Get a Class 7 learner’s license” resource.

Please refer to User Guide: Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Exemption Program for more information.