Overview
Effective April 1, 2024, eligible farmers and their family members will have the option to apply for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence.
Upon successful completion of a Class 1 knowledge and road test, vision-screening, and submission of a driver’s medical assessment, the driver will be issued a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence with condition code “P”, indicating they must comply with farmer restrictions. The driver will not be required to complete pre-licensing training.
The driver must meet all other requirements of a Class 1 driver’s licence, including the Air Brake (Q) endorsement. For more information, check the Air Brake Program.
Farm-restricted Class 1 drivers may also be subject to licence code restriction “N” which means the holder may not operate vehicles or combinations of vehicles which require a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence unless that person has completed the required knowledge and road tests as well as completed any other conditions of a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence.
For more information: Registrar’s exemption for Farm-Restricted Class 1 Driver’s Licence.
Eligibility
A farmer is defined as a person:
- actively and directly farming, in Alberta
- responsible for management decisions and operating costs
- having control of the farming assets, either by holding title to the assets or having a rental agreement with the person holding title
- having annual farm commodity production worth at least $10,000 or $5,000 to $9,999 if the only other significant sources of income are Canada Pension Plan or Old Age Security
For the purposes of this exemption, a farmer is a person engaged in any of the following:
- the cultivation of land
- the raising of livestock, including diversified livestock animals within the meaning of the Livestock Industry Diversification Act and poultry
- the raising of fur bearing animals, pheasants or fish
- the production of agricultural field crops
- the production of fruit, vegetables, sod, trees, shrubs and other specialty horticultural crops
- the production of eggs and milk
- the production of honey
- the operation of agricultural machinery and equipment including irrigation pumps
- the application of fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, including application by ground and aerial spraying for agricultural purposes
- the collection, transportation, storage, application, use, transfer and disposal of manure, compositing materials and compost
A family member of a farmer who meets the above criteria is also eligible for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence. “Family member” is defined as:
- the spouse or adult interdependent partner of the farmer, or whether by blood, marriage or adoption or by virtue of an adult interdependent relationship, a child, parent, grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew or first cousin of the farmer
Restrictions
- A person intending to use this exemption must declare their eligibility when applying for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence.
- A farmer or eligible family member approved by the Registrar, or their designate, for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence is exempt from completing any entry level training established by the Registrar.
- The farmer or family member must satisfy all other requirements of a Class 1 driver’s licence.
- The holder of a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence may operate vehicles or combinations of vehicles which require a Class 1 driver’s licence only:
- within the province of Alberta
- while engaged in necessary transportation (including return trips, picking up materials,) for the following purposes only:
- the delivery of animals, farm products, grains, or farm produce:
- to the farmer’s farm, if those commodities are to be used by the farmer in the operation of the farm
- to a market, if the commodities being transported were either grown or raised by the farmer on the farmer’s farm
- transporting material or equipment that is owned by the farmer and used by the farmer in the operation or maintenance of the farmer’s farm
- the delivery of animals, farm products, grains, or farm produce:
- if eligible as a family member, the above restrictions apply, and in addition to those restrictions, the family member may operate the vehicle or combination of vehicles requiring a Class 1 driver’s licence on behalf of the eligible farmer(s) listed in their application as a family member only
- A farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence will be subject to driver licence code restriction “N”. Under that code restriction, the holder may not operate vehicles or combinations of vehicles which require a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence for any purpose unless that person has completed the required knowledge and road tests as well as completed any other conditions of a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence.
How to apply
Step 1. Confirm eligibility
Review the information above and ensure you understand the eligibility criteria and conditions.
Step 2. Declare farmer exemption at registries and take a knowledge test
Go to a registry agent, advise that you are a farmer and would like to apply for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence, and take a driver's knowledge test.
Step 3. Pass a vision test and submit a medical assessment
The registry agent will test your vision to see if your vision is good enough to drive.
A completed Driver's Medical Report Form will be required.
Step 4. Complete application form for farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence
Print and complete the application form.
Step 5. Pass a road test
Schedule a road test through a registry agent or online through the Alberta Road Test Scheduler.
Bring a copy of your filled out Application for Farm-Restricted Class 1 driver’s licence to give to the registry agent along with your driver’s medical assessment and knowledge test permit showing you passed the Class 1 knowledge test.
You must complete the road test in a vehicle with air brakes.
Cost
The maximum charges for the tests and exchanges are in the Registry Agent Product Catalogue.
Cancellation policy
To cancel your appointment, you will need your Road Test Permit Number, Motor Vehicle Identification Number, and your date of birth.
The cancellation policy states:
- If you cancel at least 24 hours before your road test, you will be eligible for a full refund.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before your road test, you will lose the entire road test fee. You will also be responsible for rescheduling and paying for a new road test.
- If you fail to show up for the road test, you will lose the entire road test fee. You will also be responsible for rescheduling and paying for a new road test.
- If you need to reschedule a road test, you must do so at least 24 hours before your road test.
- Road tests may be cancelled on short notice or on site by the driver examiner due to bad weather conditions. If this occurs, the Road Test Permit you purchased will still be valid and can be used to reschedule your road test online through the Alberta Road Test Scheduler or in-person at an Alberta registry agent.
- Driver examiners can refuse the vehicle you bring to do your road test in if it is not safe or legal. If this occurs, you will lose the entire road test fee. You will be responsible for rescheduling and paying for a new road test.
- Driver examiners can cancel the road test if they feel that you are unsafe to drive due to a physical or cognitive impairment or suspect that you are impaired by alcohol or drugs. If this occurs, the Road Test Permit you purchased will still be valid and can be used to reschedule your road test online through the Alberta Road Test Scheduler or in-person at an Alberta registry agent.
Contact
Connect with Motor Vehicles if you require further information on registry information:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-7013
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]
Connect with Transportation and Economic Corridors Client Support Centre if you require further information on driver licensing:
Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday
Phone: 780-427-8230
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]