Alberta’s government is following through on a promise from April to save new drivers the $154 cost to exit the GDL program. GDL drivers who have completed their 24-month driving period and have no suspensions or demerits within their last 12 months of probation, including zero tolerance for any alcohol and/or drug consumption, will receive a letter informing them of the change in their driver’s licence status to non-GDL.

“GDL was an expensive, duplicative licensing scheme that discriminated against good young drivers. There are 500,000 young Albertans with clean driving records who would need to pay $154 and waste their time to take another driving test. Alberta’s government will continue to make common-sense rules and make life more affordable for Albertans.”

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

Drivers are not legally required to obtain a new licence card when their GDL period ends. They may do so if they prefer, but they will be required to pay registry fees after June 25. Drivers who don’t obtain a new licence card will have their physical licence upgraded the next time they renew their driver’s licence.

Drivers who do not exhibit safe driving behaviours and incur demerits, suspensions or are ticketed for other unsafe driving offences during the last year of their probation will have their probationary period extended for an additional year.

If the driver is stopped by law enforcement in Alberta, the officer will know they have a full licence through information in the Canadian Police Information Centre.

If drivers are travelling outside of Alberta, they need to keep their letter with them in their vehicle or visit a registry and update their physical licence, as law enforcement agencies outside Alberta may not have access to Alberta’s data.

Quick facts

  • As of April 1, about 700,000 Albertans were in the GDL program.

  • About 500,000 drivers were eligible to exit the GDL program on April 1 under the new rules.

    • About 150,000 GDL drivers have exited the GDL program through the interim process since April 1.

  • The Graduated Driver’s Licence program was established in 2003.