Driver's Licence

Alberta’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program has changed the way new drivers earn their licences. It’s designed to give new drivers of all ages the guidance, skills and experience they need to become confident, capable and responsible drivers.

 

Class 5 GDL Requirements:

• Be 16 years of age or older
• Posess Alberta Health Care
• Legal Status in Canada
• Held a Class 7 learners licence for 1 year
• Pass the Class 5 road test

Probationary conditions:

• Must spend a minimum of two (2) years in program
• Will be suspended after eight (8) demerit points rather than the 15 points for fully classed 5 drivers
• Not permitted more passengers than seat belts
• Zero alcohol tolerance
• Cannot serve as the accompanying driver to a learner
• Cannot upgrade to any professional class licence
• How to exit the GDL program:
• Must be suspension-free for the last year of the two-year probationary stage
• Must be over 18

An Out of Province drivers licence may be exchanged directly for an Alberta drivers licence.

Please bring the following:

• Out of Province drivers licence
• Valid Photo ID
• Proof of full name and date of birth
• Legal status in Canada
• Vision Screening Test: will be administered in the office at the time of licence exchange
• Medical required for Commercial Class Licence
• Proof of Alberta address dated in last 90 days (click here for more information) 

Exchange a license from an Alberta-recognized jurisdiction

If you are exchanging a valid driver’s license from one of the jurisdictions in the list below, you can get your Alberta license without taking a knowledge or road test:

• Australia (Class 5 and 6)
• Austria (Class 5)
• Belgium (Class 5)
• Bulgaria (Class 5)
• Croatia (Class 5)
• Cyprus (Class 5)
• Czech Republic (Class 5)
• Estonia (Class 5)
• Finland (Class 5)
• France (Class 5)
• Germany (Class 5)
• Greece (Class 5)
• Guernsey (Class 5)
• Hungary (Class 5)
• Iceland (Class 5)
• Isle of Man (Class 5 and 6)
• Italy (Class 5)
• Jersey (Class 5)
• Japan (Class 5)
• Kingdom of Denmark (Class 5)
• Latvia (Class 5)
• Liechtenstein (Class 5)
• Lithuania (Class 5)
• Luxembourg (Class 5)
• Malta (Class 5)
• Netherlands (Class 5)
• New Zealand (Class 5)
• Norway (Class 5)
• Poland (Class 5)
• Portugal (Class 5)
• Republic of Ireland (Class 5 and 6)
• Republic of Korea (Class 5)
• Romania (Class 5)
• Slovakia (Class 5)
• Slovenia (Class 5)
• Spain (Class 5)
• Switzerland (Class 5 and 6)
• Sweden (Class 5)
• Taiwan (Class 5)
• United Kingdom (Northern Ireland – Class 5 and 6)
• United Kingdom (England, Scotland and Wales – Class 5)

To exchange your licence for an Alberta driver’s licence, you must:

• surrender your valid licence that is equivalent or higher than an Alberta Class 5 or 6 licence to a registry agent
• surrender any other licences that may be in your possession, including those that have expired
• The Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation of the Traffic Safety Act requires that people surrender any and all out-of-Alberta issued driver’s licences prior to being issued an Alberta licence.
• provide proof of 2 or more years of driving experience, if you want to be issued a full Class 5 licence
• provide proof of residence in Alberta
• provide proof of legal status in Canada

You will be given a Class 5 or 6 driver’s licence based on the exchange agreement (not all jurisdictions allow the exchange of a Class 6 motorcycle licence).

Exchange a licence from the United States

Licence holders from the United States, can exchange their class 5, 6 or 7 without additional testing requirements. Any class of licence other than those in the class 5, 6 and 7, must complete all testing requirements.

Exchange a licence from Ukraine

Licence holders from Ukraine can exchange their class B or BE driver’s licence without additional testing requirements. Any class of licence other than those in the class B and BE, must complete all testing requirements.

Exchange a licence with a jurisdiction that does not have a reciprocal licence exchange agreement

To exchange a licence from a jurisdiction that does not have an agreement, you will need to pass a knowledge test, surrender a valid driver’s licence and pass a road test.

To exchange your licence for an Alberta driver’s licence you must:

• attend a registry office and take a Class 7 knowledge test
• surrender all valid and expired licences in your possession -
  The Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation of the Traffic Safety Act requires that people surrender any and all out-of-Alberta issued licences prior to being issued an Alberta licence.
• provide proof of residence in Alberta
• provide proof of legal status in Canada

Upon successful completion of the knowledge test, you will be issued a Class 7 licence. The registry agent will check to see if you can apply for the GDL Exemption Program and will give you an application to complete. Your licence, application for GDL exemption and support documents will be sent to the Service Alberta Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for review.

While the SIU is reviewing your file, you will be able to drive with a Class 7 licence under the supervision of a driver who is 18 years of age and holds a full Class 5 (or higher class) driver’s licence.

Visit a registry office after 10 business days from the date you applied. The registry agent will confirm if your application has been accepted, and if eligible, book a road test to obtain a Class 5 licence. If you are not eligible for the GDL exemption program, you must continue to meet the requirements of the Class 7 licence until you are eligible to get a Class 5 licence.  

If you are eligible to get a Class 5 Alberta driver’s licence

• You must complete a Class 5 road test. After you pass the test, you can apply for a Class 5 licence.
• If the driver’s licence(s) you surrendered can prove you have 2 years of driving experience or more, you will be issued a full Class 5 licence.
• If you have fewer than 24 months driving experience, you will be issued a Class 5 GDL licence. You can reduce your probation period by up to 6 months by completing an approved driver training course, providing you meet all other eligibility requirements.