Steps to getting a driver's licence

Licensing stages

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

How to get a Class 7 Licence

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

How to get a Class 5-GDL

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

How to get a Class 5 licence

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.

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.