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OPERATOR LICENCES & ID CARDS

NEW LICENCES

APPLYING FOR AN ALBERTA DRIVERS LICENCE/ID CARD:

When visiting one of our Registry offices to obtain an Alberta licence, certain documentation must be provided to establish:

  • Name

  • Date of Birth

  • Photo

  • Legal Presence in Canada

  • Alberta Residency

 

Please contact the registry for details.

 

Plus - Alberta Drivers Medical, if:

  • you are over 75 years old

  • you are applying for a Class 1, 2 or 4 licence

  • you have a medical condition that may impede with your capability to operate a motor vehicle.

 

Minors: Anybody under the age of 18, must have a parent/guardian (with proper ID) accompany them to the registry to sign a parental consent form when applying for the following:

  • Identification Card (ID).

  • Driver’s licence (including a learner's licence).

    • Consent must be provided for a first application and for all operator reclassifications.

OUT OF PROVINCE/COUNTRY LICENCE EXCHANGE:

If you are coming to Alberta from another province or country, you may be able to exchange your licence. Requirements vary based on the province or country previously licensed in. Please contact the registry for details.

RENEWING YOUR LICENCE

You will need to bring the following documents with you:

  • Current Drivers Licence

  • Driver’s Medical if required

 

When renewing your licence, please be aware that you will be issued a temporary driver’s license, with your official card taking up to 21 days to arrive in the mail.

 

While waiting for your new license to arrive (within 3 weeks of applying) we suggest you carry your passport or another form of photo identification

 

If your licence has been expired for 6 or more months you will need to provide proof of Legal Presence in Canada, proof of Alberta Residency and pass a vision screening. Please be advised that if your licence has been expired for over 3 years you will need to pass the knowledge test, road test and vision screening for your applicable class.

New Licenses
License Renewal
License Classes

LICENCE CLASSES AND REQUIREMENTS

In Alberta it takes a minimum of 3 years to get a full, non-GDL Class 5 Driver’s Licence.

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STAGE 1: LEARNER (CLASS 7 LICENCE)

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

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Restrictions:

  • You cannot drive during the hours between 12:00am and 5:00am

  • You must have 0% alcohol levels when driving at all times

  • You cannot drive with more people than there are seat belts in your vehicle

  • You are allowed 8 demerit points before receiving a suspension of your licence

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To get a learner’s driver’s licence you must:

  • Be 14 years of age or older

  • Have parental or guardian consent if you are under 18 years of age

  • Pass a knowledge test

  • Pass a vision test

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STAGE 2: PROBATIONARY (CLASS 5-GDL LICENCE)

A Class 5 licence also allows you to drive all Class 5 motor vehicles, which includes:

  • A 2-axle single motor vehicle

  • A motor home 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

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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.

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To get a probationary driver’s licence you must:

  • be 16 years of age or older

  • have parental or guardian consent if you are under 18 years of age

  • have had a Class 7 learner’s licence for at least 12 months

  • pass the basic road test

  • pass a vision test

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STAGE 3: FULL, NON-GDL (CLASS 5 LICENCE)

To become a fully-licenced driver you must:

  • drive for 2 years as a Class 5-GDL driver

  • have no licence suspensions during the last 12 months of the probationary stage

  • pass the advanced road test

ADDITIONAL LICENCE CLASSES

CLASS 6 GDL - MOTORCYCLE

To drive a motorcycle, you must hold a Class 6 licence. A Class 6 licence also allows you to drive all Class 5 motor vehicles as a learner.

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Eligibility

  • You must be at least 16 years old and have at minimum a Class 7 learner’s licence for a year.

  • If you already have a full Class 5 driver’s licence, you’ll need to take a Class 6 knowledge and road test.

  • If you don’t have a Class 5 or Class 7 licence, you’ll need to complete all the requirements of Class 7, pass a Class 6 knowledge and road test, and be placed in the GDL program before you can get a full Class 6 licence.

  • If you have a Class 5 or Class 7 licence, you’ll need to take a Class 6 knowledge and road test.

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HOW TO GET A CLASS 6 LICENCE

Step 1: Take a knowledge test

  • Go to a registry agent and take a knowledge test.

  • You will need to bring your existing driver’s licence (Class 7 or Class 5) to the registry agent.

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Step 2: Pass a road test

  • Schedule a road test through a registry agent or online through the Alberta Road Test Scheduler.

  • You need to bring your own motorcycle or moped for testing.

  • Ensure your cell phone is equipped with ear buds for examiner communication.

  • Three-wheeled motorcycle

  • If you take a road test using a three-wheeled motorcycle, your Class 6 licence restricts you to only operate a three-wheeled motorcycle.

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UPGRADE TO A FULL CLASS 6 LICENCE

You will need to drive for 2 years as a Class 6 GDL driver and have no licence suspensions during the last year to qualify for a full Class 6 licence.

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Once the 2-year probationary term is up, you can take a Class 6 advanced road test and upgrade to a full Class 6 licence.

COMMERCIAL LICENCE - CLASS 1, 2, 3, 4

There are 4 classes of commercial driver’s licences in Alberta, and each one allows you to drive different types of vehicles. To obtain a commercial licence, you must pass:

  • Knowledge test

  • Vision screening

  • Road test

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A Driver’s Medical is required for Class 1, 2 and 4 licenses.

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CLASS 1 - COMMERCIAL

Allows you to drive:

  • Any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle

  • Class 6 vehicles as a learner only

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CLASS 2 - COMMERCIAL (BUS)

Allows you to drive:

  • Any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 3, 4 or 5 driver’s licence is allowed to drive

  • A bus

  • A Class 1 or 6 vehicles as a learner only

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CLASS 3 - COMMERCIAL (3 AXLES OR MORE)

Allows you to drive:

  • Any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 5 licence may drive

  • A single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles

  • A motor vehicle with 3 or more axles that is towing a trailer with one or more axles (if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes)

  • A Class 1, 2, 4 or 6 vehicles as a learner only

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However, you cannot drive a vehicle that:

  • Can seat more than 15 people including the driver

  • Transports passengers for hire

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CLASS 4 - COMMERCIAL (TAXI, AMBULANCE)

Allows you to drive:

  • A taxi, ambulance or bus (including a school or kindergarten bus) that seats fewer than 25 people including the driver

  • All motor vehicles included under Class 5

  • A Class 1, 2, 3 or 6 vehicles as a learner only

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Driver Guides

DRIVER GUIDES

Learner’s Licence Prep Kits and printed Driver’s Guides are available for purchase at the registry.

KNOWLEDGE TESTING

Knowledge Testing Info and Hours:

Knowledge tests for licences, Safety Fitness Certificates and Air Brakes are available at Grimshaw Registry between 9am-4pm M-F and 9am-2pm Sat, No appointments necessary, first come, first serve. Last test of day must be started prior to cutoff to allow for adequate time to complete the test.

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Minors:

Anybody under the age of 18, must have a parent/guardian (with proper ID) accompany them to the registry to sign a parental consent form when applying.

DRIVER’S ABSTRACTS

A driver abstract displays a driver’s history within a specified time period. You can get a driver abstract for a 3, 5 or 10 year period. The information included on your driver’s abstract will be based on the time period (3, 5 or 10 years) and the conviction date of the driving-related offence. You can get a driver abstract from any Alberta registry agent to confirm your demerit point status.

 

The Demerit Point Program and Service of Documents Regulation in the Traffic Safety Act explains how demerit points are assigned in Alberta. They are applied to your driver record on your conviction date and the demerit points remain on your driving record/abstract for 2 years from the date of conviction.

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Schedules 1 and 2 of the Demerit Point Program and Service of Documents Regulation of the Traffic Safety Act lists all Alberta driving offences carrying demerit points.

 

Driver’s Abstracts can be obtained in person at any registry, or online using the links below:

Standard Driver’s Abstract

Commercial Driver’s Abstract

Knowledge Testing
Drivers Abstract

ROAD TEST BOOKING

COMMERCIAL ROAD TEST BOOKINGS (CLASS 1, 2, 3)

Book Online: Class 1,2,3

Book online with the Registry of your choice. Please note, not all registries offer all classes of road testing.

CLASS 5, 6 ROAD TEST BOOKINGS

Book Online: Class 5, 6

Book online with the Registry of your choice. Please note, not all registries offer all classes of road testing.

Book online with the Registry of your choice. Please note, not all registries offer all classes of road testing.

Road Test
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