Exchange Out Of Province Licence
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 Driver's Licence
Exchange a licence from another province
A valid licence from another Canadian jurisdiction can be exchanged for an equivalent class (Classes 1 through 7) of operator's licence. 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.
- Photo Identification
- Proof of Canadian Residency
- 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.
You do not need to do a knowledge test. You do not need to do a road test unless you are placed in the GDL program and want to exit the program after you have gained 2 years of experience. At that time, you will need to pass an advanced road test
Some examples of unacceptable support documents are:
- Bank or credit cards
- Interim/temporary driver's licence
- 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 Licencing 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 licence from a country that has a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with Alberta can be exchanged for a Class 5 licence when the applicant presents a valid licence 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) licence when the applicant presents a valid licence 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.
- Photo Identification
- 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 licence
- 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. You can use our translation services.
Driver Licences from Other Countries
People who came from all other countries will need to take the Class 7 Knowledge Test and Class 5 Road Test. However, they may apply to have their previous driving history credited to their Alberta driving record. A successful application will grant exemption from the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program and allow for Class 5 road testing without being required to hold a Class 7 driver operator's licence for one year.
Please refer to User Guide: Graduated Driver Licencing (GDL) Exemption Program for more information.