As part of a review of the province’s driver examination system, Albertans can provide feedback about their experiences with road testing through an online survey. Government is looking for feedback on what improvements could be made to enhance the system. The survey will be available online from Nov. 21 to Dec. 22.

Government will also meet with key stakeholders, including registry agents, driver examiners and the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees to discuss ways to improve wait times and service delivery over the long term. Feedback from the public and stakeholders will be used to develop a broad range of options to improve service and enhance the system.

In the short-term, Alberta Transportation is taking further action to reduce road test wait times in Alberta.

To reduce wait times Alberta Transportation is reinstating 30-minute appointments for Class 5 basic road tests, beginning January 2020, which will provide more road tests each day. The on-road driver evaluation portion of the test remains the same at 25 minutes, with 5 minutes allotted for pre-test introductions and post-test debrief, for a total of 30 minutes. This is consistent with the length of a Class 5 basic road test appointment in Alberta prior to March 1, 2019.

“The road test system needs to be fixed. I’m looking forward to hearing from Albertans, registries, government examiners and AUPE to determine how we can reduce wait times and provide a road test system that works for Albertans. As an additional step to reduce wait times, Alberta Transportation is reinstating the 30-minute road test appointments that were offered until March 1, 2019, in order to provide more road tests each day. I thank everyone for their patience and our government examiners for their good work. There is still more that needs to be done, and we will continue working hard to ensure Albertans have a road test system that works.”

Ric McIver, Minister of Transportation

Quick facts

  • Under the privatized model, driver examiners spent up to 25 minutes testing driving skills on the road and five minutes before and after the Class 5 basic test for introductions and a debrief, for a total road test appointment of 30 minutes.
  • When government took over road tests exams, the time allotted for driver/driver examiner interaction was extended to five minutes before the test and up to 15 minutes afterwards for a total road test appointment of 45 minutes.
  • This change will not compromise safety, as driver examiners will continue to spend the same amount of time on the road with Class 5 drivers and test all of the same driving skills.
  • By reinstating the 30-minute appointment for Class 5 Basic road tests, government expects to deliver up to 5,000 more road tests a month without making any changes to the skills and competency testing of new drivers.