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.
Read more about identification cards.
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)
Read more about Class 7 licences.
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
Read more about Class 5 licences.
Class 6 – Motorcycle
- motorcycle or moped
- all Class 5 vehicles as a learner
Read more about Class 6 licences.
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
Read more about commercial licences.
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 – Due to a medical condition 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. |
| P* | Testing to be conducted by Provincial Driver Examiner only (this code is historic and inactive). |
| 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. |