Alberta Drivers License

Steps to get your Graduated Driver’s license (Class 5) in Alberta

Alberta has a Graduated Driver Licensing program (or “GDL” for short), which has 2 Stages:

Stage 1 – Class 7 -- Learner’s license

Stage 2 – Class 5 -- Probationary license

Stage 3 – Class 5 -- Non Probationary license

Stage 1

To obtain a Learner’s license (Class 7) you must:

be 14 years of age or older
pass a vision screening and a knowledge test on the rules of the road
have parental consent if you are under 18 years of age
present valid identification

Class 5 license drivers have the following limitations:

Must be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-GDL probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and is seated next to the driver.
Not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m.
Not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts.
They will be suspended at 8 demerit points (fully licensed drivers -- at 15).
Have a zero alcohol level.
*If learning to drive a motorcycle, you must be 16 years of age and are not permitted to drive during nighttime hours. You must be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-GDL probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and is either seated on the motorcycle with you or is following you in or on another motor vehicle.

Note: Operators of a moped with a Class 7 license are subject to the zero alcohol level restrictions and are not permitted to drive during nighttime hours.

Stage 2

GDL probationary (Class 5)

To become a probationary driver you must:

Be 16 years of age or older.
Have held a Class 7 license at least one year.
Pass the basic Alberta Class 5 road test.

Probationary conditions and limitations for Alberta Class 5 Drivers:

Must spend a minimum of two years as a probationary driver.
No more passengers than seat belts.
They will be suspended at 8 demerit points (fully licensed drivers -- at 15).
Have a zero alcohol level.
No upgrading to a commercial license (Classes 1, 2, 3 or 4).
Cannot serve as an accompanying driver to a learner.

Stage 3

Non-probationary license (Class 5)

To become a fully licensed driver you must:

Have been suspension free for the last year of the two-year probationary stage.
Pass an advanced road test.

What to bring to the test center

When applying for an Alberta driver license you must have proof of identification. For information on the identification requirements, please contact a registry agent or visit the Alberta Government Services web site at: http://www.gov.ab.ca/gs/services/mv/operator.cfm
An Alberta drivers license may only be issued to residents of Alberta. A resident is a person lawfully entitled to be in Alberta, who makes their home in Alberta and is ordinarily present in Alberta. Applicants originating from outside Canada or the United States must produce suitable immigration documents to be considered as residents. Persons on student or employment visas can apply as residents only for the time period specified on their visas.
You are required to bring your vehicle to take the road test. The vehicle for your road test must be in acceptable working condition. Prior to the road test, the vehicle will be checked by the Examiner. The road test will not be conducted if the vehicle is not in satisfactory mechanical condition. Your vehicle must have a valid license plate and insurance.

Requirements for getting the license

Click here to see the full list of Alberta Driver’s License Requirements.

A person 14 years of age or older, may apply for a Learners Operators License.
A parent or guardian must give consent on the application if the person applying is under 18 years of age.
The minimum learning age is 14 years and the minimum licensing age is 16 years.
A vision screening is required before you can get your Alberta driver’s license. If you do not meet the minimum vision standards, you will be referred to a vision specialist. If you have corrective glasses or contact lenses, bring them with you for your vision screening
It is your responsibility and legal obligation to report any disease or disability that may interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle. This report must be made to Alberta Registries. The registry agent will forward the medical report to Alberta Transportation (Driver Fitness and Monitoring Branch). Medical forms may be obtained from a registry agent or your doctor. Your doctor must complete this form.
To obtain your license, you will need to pass a knowledge test. The test is based on questions taken from the Alberta Driver’s Handbook. They may also be taken from the other handbooks if applicable. You will be asked about safe driving practices, driving laws and road signs.
You are required to take the road test. The vehicle for your road test must be in acceptable working condition.
When upgrading your license (other than Class 7 to 5) you must present proof that you have completed a knowledge and vision screening through a registry agent office.
People who have recently moved into Alberta may use a valid operators license from outside of Alberta for the first 90 days of their residency. You must apply for your Alberta operators license and surrender your old license within that three-month period. It is illegal to hold more than one valid operators license.
An operators license from another jurisdiction within Canada is accepted as the same Class without testing. Applicants for Class 1, 2 or 4 licenses must provide a medical report and undergo a vision screening. United States license holders other than those in Class 5, 6 and 7 must complete all requirements.
Upon application, you may be required to provide documents to prove residency. For details, inquire at your local registry agent’s office.

Alberta Drivers Handbook and Test Practice Questions Online

Alberta Driving Practice Test One
Alberta Driving Practice Test Two
Alberta Drivers Handbook Online

Website and phone for Alberta Drivers Test Center:

Contact customer service of Alberta at 780 427-8901, or toll free by first calling 310-0000.

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Drivers_Licence.cfm