Alberta's Graduated Driver Licensing Program

Driver's Licence

Basic Qualifications

• Alberta's Graduated Driver Licensing Program
• Driver Knowledge Testing
• Driver (Road) Testing
• Air Brake Knowledge Testing
• Licence Classes:
  
  • Class 1 (Professional - Any vehicle)
  • Class 2 (Professional - Bus)
  • Class 3 (3-axle plus)
  • Class 4 (Professional - Taxi, Ambulance)
  • Class 5 (2-axle - Cars, Light Trucks, Motor Homes or Mopeds)
  • Class 6 (Motorcycle & Moped)
  • Class 7 (Learners - 2-axel & Motorcycle & Moped)

Basic Qualifications

When you apply for your driver's licence or identification card, your registry agent must verify your identity and residency through astrict confirmation process:

• Anyone under 18 years of age that is not married or self-supporting must provide consent from a parent or guardian (a parent or guardian must provide consent for a first time licence applications or ID card)
• Individuals who have a vision impairment or a medical condition that may adversely affect their driving ability must discuss the matter with Driver Records by calling the toll-free RITE direct line at 310-0000 followed by 780-427-8230 (in some cases, a medical or vision report may be required for licensing)
• Individuals must be legal residents of Canada and Alberta (Note: To obtain an Alberta driver’s licence or identification card you must provide proof that you are lawfully entitled to live in Canada and that you live in Alberta. And if you are new to the province, you must apply for your Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving here.)

Alberta's Graduated Driver Licensing Program

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) has changed the way new drivers are licensed in Alberta. The GDL program ensures new drivers, regardless of age, get the support, skills and experience they need to handle the complex task of driving. For common questions regarding the GDL program, please see the common questions section.   For detailed GDL program information, please visit the Alberta Transportation website (external site). 

Driver Knowledge Testing

All Knowledge testing is done in the registry agent office on the Automated Driver Knowledge Testing System (DKTS). The system generates your test at the time you take it selecting 30 questions at random from the test question bank. You must answer 25 out of the 30 questions correctly to pass the exam. The class 7 exam is offered in 10 different languages; Arabic, Chinese (Traditional) Farsi, French, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog (Philippines), and Vietnamese in addition to english. There is also an audio assisted capability on the testing stations that will read the questions and answer choices, if you require.Please see Alberta Transportation's website for on-line operator's handbooks, and practice class 7 knowledge tests.

IMPORTANT NOTEAll passed knowledge tests are good for 1 year and can be submitted to a registry agent for issue of the applicable class of licence at any time during this period. The knowledge permit only shows that you have passed the exam and IS NOT a valid driver's licence. You may not operate a vehicle using this permit or accumulate any GDL driving experience driving with it. You must be issued a valid driver's licence to be able to drive a motor vehicle.

Driver (Road) Testing

Road tests are conducted by licensed driver examiners, with scheduling arranged by the registry agents.
 
Road test fees are determined jointly by the registry agent and driver examiner, and can vary by location. The government receives a fixed amount of $5 per test, with the agent and examiner portions added to this. It is recommended that you compare the services offered at various registries including scheduling, fees, cancellation and refund policies, and methods of payment.  For information regarding requirements for a road test, contact a registry agent. Agents will provide a road test information sheet that outlines a number of considerations including client eligibility, vehicle requirements, required documents, fees and cancellation/no-show policies   For a listing of registry agents and the class(es) of road tests they provide, click here (pdf). The registry agent locations for road tests are based on the availability of driver examiners and are subject to change. Service charges and wait times for road tests vary by location so you are encouraged to compare locations before booking a road test.  For information on the advanced road test and approved locations please click here (pdf).   Registry agent contact information can be found here, or look in the SuperPages directory for these services under License and Registry Services.

IMPORTANT NOTEYou may not complete either the basic or advanced road test (as applicable) until you have fully completed the GDL driving experience requirements as set out by legislation. If you complete a road test prior to your eligibility date, the road test will be void and you must purchase and complete another road test after your driving experience term has been fulfilled. It is the client's responsibility to ensure that they are eligible to take the road test before completing it.

Air Brake Knowledge Testing

The knowledge testing component of the Alberta Air Brake Course is conducted by Alberta Registry Agents. Successful completion of the knowledge test will allow the registry agent to endorse the drivers licence with a condition code Q (Airbrake endorsement). Please refer to Alberta Transportation's Alberta Air Brake Program website for more information.  

Licence Classes

Class 1 LicencePermits an operator to drive:

Any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles, other than a motorcycle Class 6 type vehicles, for learning only The minimum learning or licensing age is 18.

Class 2 Licence  Permits an operator to drive:

Any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that the holder of a Class 3, 4 and 5 operator's licence may operate Any bus Class 1 and 6 type vehicles, for learner only The minimum learning or licensing age is 18. Requirements: vision screening, written and road test, and medical report, airbrake certificate for vehicle with airbrakes. Vehicle for road test: a bus with a seating capacity exceeding 24 including the operator.

Class 3 Licence Permits an operator to drive:

Any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles that the holder of a Class 5 operator's licence may operate A single motor vehicle with three or more axles A motor vehicle with three or more axles towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes Class 2 and 4 type vehicles without passengers All motor vehicles included under Class 1, 2 and 6, for learning only No holder of a Class 3 operator's licence shall operate a motor vehicle: That has a seating capacity of more than 15, while that vehicle is transporting any person in addition to the operator To transport passengers for hire The minimum learning or licensing age is 18. Requirements: vision screening, written and road test, airbrake certificate if the vehicle is equipped with airbrakes. Vehicle for road test: Any single motor vehicle having three or more axles.

Class 4 Licence Permits an operator to drive:

A taxi, ambulance or bus (including school or kindergarten buses) where seating capacity is not over 24, excluding the operator All motor vehicles included under Class 5 All motor vehicles included under Class 1, 2, 3 and 6, for learning only The minimum learning or licensing age is 18. Requirements: vision screening, written test, medical report, road test required if operator does not hold a class 1, 2, or 3licence. Vehicle for road test: any two axle motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle.

Class 5 Licence Permits an operator to drive:

A two axle single motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle A two axle motor vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes A recreational vehicle or any combination of a recreational vehicle and a trailer, if the trailer has not more than two axles and is not equipped with airbrakes A moped Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 type vehicles, for learning only No holder of a Class 5 operator's licence shall operate a motor vehicle: That has a seating capacity of more than 15, while that vehicle is transporting any person in addition to the operator To transport passengers for hire The minimum learning age is 14. The minimum licensing age is 16. Requirements: road test. Vehicle for road test: any two axle motor vehicle excluding a motorcycle.

Class 6 Licence Permits an operator to drive:

A motorcycle or a moped  All motor vehicles under Class 5, for learning only The minimum learning or licensing age is 16. Applicants that have already been issued a class 5 licence will require a class 6 knowledge test and road test. Clients who do not currently have any class of licence will enter the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program and need to do a class 7 knowledge test* and vision screening. You must operate a motorcycle as a learner for a minimum of one year (please see Alberta's Graduated Drivers Licence Program on this page). To exit the learner stage and become a probationary rider, you must write a class 6 knowledge test* and take a class 6 road test. To exit the GDL program you must hold a probationary licence for at least two years and pass an advanced road test. Vehicle for road test: motorcycle without sidecar.

Class 7 Licence Permits an operator to drive:

A moped  A motor vehicle referred to in the Class 5 category, as a learner only  A motorcycle, as a learner only, if the operator is at least 16 years of age The minimum learning or licensing age is 14. Requirements: written test and vision screening.