Driver's Licence

Learn about Alberta’s driver’s licence program.

Basic Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

When you apply for your driver's licence or identification card, your registry agent must verify your identity and residency through a strict 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 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.)

 Return To Top

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 Traffic Safety in Alberta website (external site).

IMPORTANT NOTE
You 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.

 Return To Top

Licence Classes

Class 1 Licence

Permits 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 3 licence.

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.

The knowledge test* is available in 9 languages in addition to English. They are Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, French, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog (Philippines), and Vietnamese. Please click here (pdf) for more detailed information.

Please click here for additional information including on-line operator's handbooks, and practice class 7 knowledge tests.

 Return To Top

Renewing an Driver's Licence

Plan to renew your driver's licence before the expiry date arrives. You may renew your licence up to one year before the licence expires. Courtesy reminder renewal forms for driver's licences are generally mailed to clients six to eight weeks before the expiry. If you have lost the renewal notice or have not received one in the mail, you do not need this form in order to renew you licence.

Renewals must be done in person at any registry agent office. Only residents of Alberta are eligible to renew. Anyone 75 years or older is required to submit a medical report. Medical reports are also required for holders of Class 1, 2 and 4 licences and for all licences with a condition code "C". It is not legal to drive with an expired licence. Any licence that has been expired for more than 3 years will be subject to passing another written and road test before reinstatement. If the photograph on your licence is four or more years old, a new one will have to be taken.

 Return To Top

Replacing a Lost or Stolen Driver's Licence

If your licence has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may apply for a replacement by visiting a registry agent in person. You will be required to prove your identity through a strict confirmation process. You will receive an interim licence, valid for 30 days. Your new card will arrive in the mail within two weeks of your application date. For other useful information, please visit the Identity Theft section of this website.

 Return To Top

Driver 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 NOTE
You 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.

 Return To Top

Licence Suspensions

Persons convicted of violations under the Criminal Code of Canada, the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Act, or the Traffic Safety Act, involving the operation or control of a motor vehicle may be suspended or disqualified from driving in accordance with limits stated in the Traffic Safety Act.

It is unlawful to be in possession of an operator's licence while it is suspended or disqualified. It is a serious offence to drive while unauthorized, punishable by law. See Vehicle Seizures. Only individuals who are in possession of a full, non-GDL drivers licence can apply for a restricted drivers licence due to a demerit suspension.

For further details, call the Driver Fitness and Monitoring Branch, toll-free from anywhere in the province, at 310-0000 followed by 780-427-8230 (Edmonton).

 Return To Top

Notes:
*All 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. You must be issued a valid driver's licence to be able to drive a motor vehicle.