How to get an Alberta Driver's Licence

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

Stage 1: Class 7 Learner's Licence

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

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

Commercial Driver 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. 

Certain restrictions apply to a class 7 learner: 

  1. You cannot drive during the hours between 12:00am and 5:00am 
  2. You must have 0% alcohol levels when driving at all times 
  3. You cannot drive with more people than there are seat belts in your vehicle 
  4. You are allowed 8 demerit points before receiving a suspension of your license 

Steps to get your class 7 learner’s licence: 

  1. Study the driver’s guide and try the practice exams 
  2. 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 
  1. Pass a vision test
    Please remember to bring your corrective lens if applicable 
  2. 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 satisfy the residency requirement
    Proof of Identity
    Proof of Canadian Residency
    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. 

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: 

  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
    eligibility
    vehicle requirements
    required documents
    fees and cancellation/no-show policies 
  3. 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)  
  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. 

Drivers who have an urgent need to exit the GDL program right away (example: need a non-GDL licence for a job) and think they are eligible based on the GDL exit criteria can come in-person to our registry office to confirm their eligibility. If the driver is eligible to exit the GDL program, they will exchange the driver’s GDL licence for a non-GDL driver’s licence free of charge. (Prior to June 25, 2023) 

 

If a driver is not yet eligible to exit the GDL program, they will remain in the GDL program, subject to the restrictions on their driver’s licence, until they meet the eligibility criteria. 

An IT system change will be implemented on June 25, 2023. This technology will automatically review a GDL driver file to determine if the driver is eligible to exit the GDL program. If they are, the system will automatically exit the driver from the GDL program and notify the driver that they now have full non-GDL status. These drivers will receive a letter from the Government of Alberta in July 2023 indicating they have exited the GDL program. 

 

All restrictions on a driver’s GDL licence will remain in place until the driver has: 

  • attended a registry agent and received their Class 5 licence or Class 6 licence, or​ 
  • received a letter from the Government of Alberta in July 2023 indicating they have exited the GDL program 

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 
  • suspension and demerit free for the last 12 months 
  • have acceptable identification and satisfy the residency requirement 
  1. Proof of Identity 
  2. Proof of Canadian Residency 
  3. Proof of Alberta Residency​