Motor vehicle information products explained

Licence classes, vehicle types

In Alberta, there are 8 classes of licences for identification or vehicle operation that are explained below. Read more about how to get an Alberta Driver's Licence.

Identification card

Class 8 – Identification (ID) card

does not permit the operation of any vehicle
allows a person who does not hold a driver’s licence to have government issued photo identification

A person cannot hold a valid Alberta Driver’s Licence and Alberta identification card at the same time.

Driver's Licence classes

Alberta has 7 classes of driver’s licences which allow you to drive different vehicles:

Class 7 – Learner’s licence

moped (by yourself)
all Class 5 or Class 6 vehicles (with someone over 18 who has a full Class 5 Driver’s Licence)

Class 5 – Graduated Driver's Licence (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 is not 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 is not 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

Automatic and standard transmissions

Alberta does not restrict any class of driver’s licence to the operation of either an automatic or standard transmission vehicle. Once a licence is issued, the driver may operate either an automatic or standard transmission. The only exception to this is a Class 1 with a condition code R, or any class of licence with a condition code K. See below for information on these condition codes.

Conditions and endorsement codes

Definitions

"Condition" means condition as contemplated under s. 15(2) and s. 19 in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation.
"Restriction" means restriction as contemplated under s. 15(2) in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation.
"Endorsement" means endorsement as contemplated under s. 19 in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation.

A condition or restriction code is placed on a driver's licence when it is determined that the client’s driving privileges require limitations/restrictions. A condition code may be added to a person's driver's licence to ensure that person meets the requirements to operate a motor vehicle. For example, all drivers must meet specific vision requirements to operate a vehicle.

If you require glasses or contact lenses to improve your vision to these specific standards, you will have a condition code placed on your driver's licence indicating this requirement.

An endorsement code on a driver's licence shows that the person has had specific education or training, like completing a novice driver education course, a course specific to operating a school bus, or Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) (commercial driver’s).

An endorsement may also indicate that the person is permitted to drive a vehicle that has a specific feature, like a vehicle with air brakes.

Each condition or endorsement has a letter code attached to it and may be shown on the driver's licence or Motor Vehicle Information Product. Conditions and endorsements specific to the driver are placed on the front of the licence, in the “Cond/End” section. Some of the condition codes and endorsements have an explanation on the back of the driver's licence.

Some condition codes and endorsements do not appear on the driver’s licence itself but are still noted on the motor vehicle file of the individual, and therefore will appear on Motor Vehicle Information Products.

Driver's Licence condition codes

Table 1. List of condition codes and descriptions

Condition Code	Description
A	Adequate Lenses – the individual does not meet the minimum vision requirements without corrective lenses.
B	Special Conditions – customized text for a condition specific to the individual.
C*	Periodic Medical – the individual has a medical condition that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
D*	Periodic Vision Report – the individual has a vision condition which may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
E*	Periodic Driver Examination – is placed on a record when a regular or reoccurring road test is required to ensure driver fitness.
F	Valid Temporary Licence – the driver’s licence or identification card was issued or renewed for an Alberta resident who was unable to attend an Alberta registry office. Re-enrollment is required (individual must provide valid proof of identification and Alberta residency).
G*	Temporary Resident – the individual has been granted temporary resident status in Canada. Proof of legal presence in Canada is required for renewal or re-issuance of driver’s licence.
H	Daylight Driving Only – the individual has a vision condition, which may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle and is restricted to driving in daylight only.
J	Outside Mirrors – the individual has a medical condition that requires use of both outside mirrors on a vehicle, such as restricted neck movement (unable to shoulder check), total loss of hearing, or vision restrictions.
K	Automatic Transmission – the individual has lost the use of one or more limbs and is restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with automatic transmission.
L	Hand Controls – the individual has lost the use of one or more limbs and is restricted to operating a vehicle with hand operated mechanical devices.
M*	Under Review – the individual is under review by the Ministry of Transportation and Economic Corridors.
N	Excludes Class 2 and 4 –the holder of a Class 1 licence with a condition code N is not allowed to operate vehicles in the Class 2 and 4 licence categories. This code is placed on a driver’s licence: Due to a medical condition, or When a person obtains a Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence (Class 1 with Condition Code P) and the client has not held a Class 2 or 4 driver’s licence within the last three years or has not completed a Class 2 knowledge test within the last year prior to obtaining the Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence.
P	Farm Restricted Class 1 – the individual successfully completed a Class 1 knowledge test and road test but has not completed a Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) Course. The holder of a farm-restricted Class 1 licence may only operate vehicles or combinations of vehicles which require a Class 1 licence: Within the province of Alberta; and While engaged in necessary transportation (including return trips, picking up materials, etc.) for the following purposes only: The delivery of animals, farm products, grains, or farm produce: to the farmer’s farm, if those commodities are to be used by the farmer in the operation of the farm; or to a market, if the commodities being transported were either grown or raised by the farmer on the farmer’s farm; or Transporting material or equipment that is owned by the farmer and used by the farmer in the operation or maintenance of the farmer’s farm.
R	Class 1 Operation Restricted to Automatic Transmission Only – the individual completed a Class 1 road test in a vehicle with automatic transmission and is restricted to operating vehicles in the class 1 licence category that have an automatic transmission. This condition code will only appear on the driver’s licence if the person holds a Class 1 licence.
T*	Special Medical – the individual has a medical condition that affects their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
V	Restricted Class 6: 3-wheeled motorcycle – the individual completed a Class 6 road test with a 3 wheeled motorcycle and is restricted to operating motorcycles in the Class 6 category that have 3 wheels. This condition code will only appear on the driver’s licence if the client holds a Class 6 licence.
W	Restricted Commercial Class Canada Only – the individual has one or more of the following medical conditions and is restricted to driving commercially in Canada only: established medical history or clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and seizures does not meet the minimum hearing requirements to transport dangerous goods monocular vision that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle
Z*	Organ Donor – the individual has registered consent for the Alberta Organ and Tissue Donation Registry. The code Z does not appear on the driver’s licence however the driver’s licence will have a heart and the word “DONOR” on the front when an individual has this code on their file.

* Does not appear on the Driver's Licence card

Driver's Licence endorsements

Table 2. List of endorsements and descriptions

Endorsement	Description
Q	Air brakes – the individual successfully completed an air brake course at an authorized organization.
S	School Bus – the individual successfully completed a School Bus Driver Improvement Program at an authorized organization.
U*	Completed driver education course – the individual successfully completed a driver education course for Class 5 or 6.
MELT1	Mandatory Entry Level Training for Class 1 – Completed a Mandatory Entry Level Training (MELT) program for Class 1 drivers. Alberta implemented the MELT Program on March 1, 2019. It is a mandatory program for all new Class 1 drivers.
MELT2	MELT for Class 2 – Completed a MELT program for Class 2 drivers. Alberta implemented the MELT Program on March 1, 2019. On April 23, 2023, the MELT program for Class 2 drivers was eliminated; however, those who completed a Class 2 MELT Program continue to have the MELT2 endorsement on their driver file.

* Does not appear on the driver's licence card

Driver's Licence service types

There are several service types for driver's licences that may appear on a motor vehicle information product (MVIP).

Table 3. Driver's Licence service types

Service type	Description
Issued licence in Alberta	An Alberta Driver's Licence or ID card was issued to the person for the first time, or the person previously held an Alberta Driver’s Licence or ID card that was invalid for more than 6 months at the time of the service.
Licence renewed	The driver’s licence or ID card was renewed.
Licence reclassification	The class of the driver's licence or ID card was changed.
Licence cancelled	The driver’s licence or ID card was cancelled.
Licence exchanged	The person exchanged their driver’s licence or ID card for a new one (for example an address change).
Duplicate licence issued	A duplicate of the driver’s licence or ID card was issued (with no change of information from the previously issued card).
Condition Code(s) added or removed from licence	A condition code(s) and/or endorsement code(s) was added or removed from the driver’s licence.
Licence returned	The Registrar of Motor Vehicles received notification that the client has obtained a Driver’s Licence in another jurisdiction, or that the Alberta Driver’s Licence or ID card has been surrendered by the client. Notification may be sent by another jurisdiction, the courts, or law enforcement. The Registrar of Motor Vehicles may not be in possession of the Alberta Driver’s Licence or ID Card at the time of the return service being performed.
Licence reinstated	The driver’s licence has been reinstated following suspension.

Notifications