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Driver licensing changes
Starting April 1, 2023, drivers are no longer required to take the advanced road test to exit the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.
See Changes to driver licensing system for more details.
Licensing stages
In Alberta it takes a minimum of 3 years to get a full, non-Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL) Class 5 Driver’s Licence.
Stage 1. Learner (Class 7 Licence)
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
Stage 2. Probationary (Class 5-GDL Licence)
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
Stage 3. Full, non-GDL (Class 5 Licence)
To become a fully-licensed driver you must:
- be at least 18 years of age
- have completed the 24 months of probationary driving
- Drivers may be eligible to reduce their 24-month probationary period by up to 6 months by completing a Class 5 or Class 6 driver training program from a driver training school licensed by Transportation and Economic Corridors.
- be suspension and demerit free for the last 12 months
Optional licence classes
Get a Motorcycle Licence (Class 6)
Upgrade to a Commercial Licence (Classes 1, 2, 3, 4)
For more information
- Driver’s guide: Cars and light trucks
- Commercial driver’s guide: Trucks, buses, emergency responders, and taxis
- Rider’s guide: Motorcycles, mopeds, and power-assisted bicycles
Licence and vehicle types
Alberta’s 7 classes of driver’s licences allow you to drive the following vehicles:
Class 7 – Learner’s Licence
- moped (by yourself)
- all Class 5 or Class 6 vehicles (with someone over 18 with a full Class 5 driver’s licence)
Class 5 – GDL
- 2-axle single motor vehicle
- motorhome 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
- moped, 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
Class 5 – Full Licence, non-GDL
- 2-axle single motor vehicle
- motorhome 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
- moped, 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
Class 6 – Motorcycle
- motorcycle or moped
- all Class 5 vehicles as a learner
Class 1 – Commercial
- any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle
- all class 6 vehicles as a learner
Class 2 – Commercial (bus)
- any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 3, 4 or 5 licence is allowed to drive
- bus
- Class 1 and 6 vehicles as a learner
Class 3 – Commercial (3 or more axles)
- any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 5 licence may drive
- single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles
- motor vehicle with 3 or more axles towing a trailer with one or more axles (if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes)
- Class 1, 2, 4 or 6 vehicles as a learner
Class 4 – Commercial (taxi, ambulance)
- taxi, ambulance or bus that seats up to 24 people, excluding the driver
- all Class 5 vehicles
- all Class 1, 2, 3 or 6 vehicles as a learner
Driving suspensions
In Alberta, a driver’s licence can be suspended for several reasons.
It is illegal to drive with a licence that has been suspended or disqualified.
Licensed drivers who have a demerit suspension can apply for a Restricted Driver’s Licence. This program helps people who need to drive for employment, health or educational reasons while they are serving a demerit suspension.
Related
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Changes to driver licensing system