Visitors, Students and Temporary Foreign Workers in Alberta


To hold an Alberta licence, you must be a permanent legal resident of Canada and an Alberta resident. Please see Identification and Residency Requirements for details. 

Visitors to Alberta

If you are visiting Alberta from outside the country, you must have your valid home jurisdiction drivers licence and an International Drivers Permit to drive on Alberta roads. You may drive in Alberta up to 1 year.

If you are visiting Alberta from another province, you may drive using your home jurisdiction licence. 

Temporary Foreign Workers in the Agricultural Industry

Temporary foreign workers are often brought into Alberta to meet labour needs during peak periods. These workers participate in either the Government of Canada’s Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) or the pilot project for Occupations Requiring Lower Levels of Formal Training.
 
These workers are eligible to work for a maximum of 8 months between the periods of January 1 and December 15. They do NOT qualify as Alberta residents and cannot be issued Alberta driver's licences or identification cards. These individuals are authorized to drive during their work term on their home jurisdiction driver's licences. They are required to carry:

  • Original copy of their work permit/visa
  • Valid home jurisdiction driver's licence
  • International Driver's Permit which translates the information contained on their driver's licence

Canadian Students

If you are from another Canadian jurisdiction and studying in Alberta at an accredited educational institution, you may continue to drive on your home jurisdiction driver's licence.

Canadians Working Temporarily in Alberta

If your residence is in another Canadian jurisdiction and you are working in Alberta, you may continue to drive on your home jurisdiction licence. Please see the vehicle registration section for vehicle requirements.