Driver's Licence

Learn about Alberta’s driver’s licence program.

Basic Qualifications

Basic Qualifications

When you apply for your driver's licence or identification card, your registry agent must verify your identity and residency through a strict confirmation process:
  • Anyone under 18 years of age that is not married or self-supporting must provide consent from a parent or guardian (a parent or guardian must provide consent for a first time licence applications or ID card)

  • Individuals who have a vision impairment or a medical condition that may adversely affect their driving ability must discuss the matter with Driver Records by calling the toll-free RITE direct line at 310-0000 followed by 780-427-8230 (in some cases, a medical or vision report may be required for licensing)

  • Individuals must be legal residents of Canada and Alberta (Note: To obtain an Alberta driver’s licence or identification card you must provide proof that you are lawfully entitled to live in Canada and that you live in Alberta. And if you are new to the province, you must apply for your Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving here.)

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Alberta's Graduated Driver Licensing Program

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) has changed the way new drivers are licensed in Alberta. The GDL program ensures new drivers, regardless of age, get the support, skills and experience they need to handle the complex task of driving. For common questions regarding the GDL program, please see the common questions section.   For detailed GDL program information, please visit the Traffic Safety in Alberta website (external site).

IMPORTANT NOTE
You may not complete either the basic or advanced road test (as applicable) until you have fully completed the GDL driving experience requirements as set out by legislation. If you complete a road test prior to your eligibility date, the road test will be void and you must purchase and complete another road test after your driving experience term has been fulfilled. It is the client's responsibility to ensure that they are eligible to take the road test before completing it.

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Licence Classes

Class 1 Licence

Permits an operator to drive:
  • Any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles, other than a motorcycle
  • Class 6 type vehicles, for learning only

The minimum learning or licensing age is 18.

Class 2 Licence  

Permits an operator to drive:
  • Any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that the holder of a Class 3, 4 and 5 operator's licence may operate

  • Any bus

  • Class 1 and 6 type vehicles, for learner only
The minimum learning or licensing age is 18.

Requirements: vision screening, written and road test, and medical report, airbrake certificate for vehicle with airbrakes.

Vehicle for road test: a bus with a seating capacity exceeding 24 including the operator.
 

Class 3 Licence 

Permits an operator to drive:

  • Any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles that the holder of a Class 5 operator's licence may operate

  • A single motor vehicle with three or more axles

  • A motor vehicle with three or more axles towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes

  • Class 2 and 4 type vehicles without passengers

  • All motor vehicles included under Class 1, 2 and 6, for learning only

No holder of a Class 3 operator's licence shall operate a motor vehicle:

  • That has a seating capacity of more than 15, while that vehicle is transporting any person in addition to the operator

  • To transport passengers for hire
The minimum learning or licensing age is 18.

Requirements: vision screening, written and road test, airbrake certificate if the vehicle is equipped with airbrakes.

Vehicle for road test: Any single motor vehicle having three or more axles.
 

Class 4 Licence 

Permits an operator to drive:

  • A taxi, ambulance or bus (including school or kindergarten buses) where seating capacity is not over 24, excluding the operator

  • All motor vehicles included under Class 5

  • All motor vehicles included under Class 1, 2, 3 and 6, for learning only

The minimum learning or licensing age is 18.

Requirements: vision screening, written test, medical report, road test required if operator does not hold a class 1, 2, or 3 licence.

Vehicle for road test: any two axle motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle.

Class 5 Licence 

Permits an operator to drive:

  • A two axle single motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle

  • A two axle motor vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes

  • A recreational vehicle or any combination of a recreational vehicle and a trailer, if the trailer has not more than two axles and is not equipped with airbrakes

  • A moped

  • Class 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 type vehicles, for learning only

No holder of a Class 5 operator's licence shall operate a motor vehicle:

  • That has a seating capacity of more than 15, while that vehicle is transporting any person in addition to the operator

  • To transport passengers for hire

The minimum learning age is 14.

The minimum licensing age is 16.

Requirements: road test.

Vehicle for road test: any two axle motor vehicle excluding a motorcycle.
 

Class 6 Licence 

Permits an operator to drive:

  • A motorcycle or a moped

  • All motor vehicles under Class 5, for learning only

The minimum learning or licensing age is 16.

Applicants that have already been issued a class 5 licence will require a class 6 knowledge test and road test. Clients who do not currently have any class of licence will enter the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program and need to do a class 7 knowledge test* and vision screening. You must operate a motorcycle as a learner for a minimum of one year (please see Alberta's Graduated Drivers Licence Program on this page). To exit the learner stage and become a probationary rider, you must write a class 6 knowledge test* and take a class 6 road test. To exit the GDL program you must hold a probationary licence for at least two years and pass an advanced road test.

Vehicle for road test: motorcycle without sidecar.

 

Class 7 Licence 

Permits an operator to drive:

  • A moped

  • A motor vehicle referred to in the Class 5 category, as a learner only

  • A motorcycle, as a learner only, if the operator is at least 16 years of age

The minimum learning or licensing age is 14.

Requirements: written test and vision screening.

The knowledge test* is available in 9 languages in addition to English. They are Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, French, Hindi, Punjabi, Spanish, Tagalog (Philippines), and Vietnamese. Please click here (pdf) for more detailed information.

Please click here for additional information including on-line operator's handbooks, and practice class 7 knowledge tests.

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