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Motor vehicle information products explained

Definitions and explanation of classes or conditions that may be on your driver licence.

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Motor vehicle information

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 (ID) card

    Class 8 – 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 Licenses

    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.

  • Commercial licenses

    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.

Driver's licence codes

Conditions, restrictions and endorsements on a driver's licence help identify any requirements a driver must follow and any specialized training or qualifications they have completed.

Each condition, restriction, endorsement or designation is assigned a letter code.

These codes may appear:

  • on the front of your driver's licence in the Cond/End section
  • on the back of your licence, with additional explanations for some codes
  • on your motor vehicle record and related driver information products

Some codes are recorded on your motor vehicle file only and may not appear directly on your driver's licence.

  • Conditions and restrictions

    Conditions and restrictions are added when a driver must meet specific requirements or follow certain limitations to operate a vehicle safely and legally.

    For example, if you need glasses or contact lenses to meet Alberta's vision standards, your licence will include a condition requiring you to wear corrective lenses while driving.

    See Section 15(2) in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation for detailed descriptions of conditions and restrictions.

    Table 1. List of condition codes and descriptions

    * Does not appear on the Driver's Licence card.
    Condition CodeDescription
    AAdequate Lenses – the individual does not meet the minimum vision requirements without corrective lenses.
    BSpecial 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.
    FValid 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.
    HDaylight 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.
    JOutside 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.
    KAutomatic Transmission – the individual has lost the use of one or more limbs and is restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with automatic transmission.
    LHand 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.
    RClass 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.
    VRestricted 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
    XClient has not provided proof that they are legally entitled to be or remain in Canada. A client who has a condition code X on their file will only receive an interim driver’s licence or identification card receipt and will not receive a driver’s licence or identification card until proof of legal entitlement in Canada has been provided and the condition code X has been removed.
    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.

  • Endorsements

    Endorsements show that a driver has completed approved training or is authorized to operate a specific type of vehicle or equipment.

    Examples include:

    • completing a novice driver education program
    • completing Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT)
    • qualifying to drive a school bus
    • receiving authorization to operate vehicles equipped with air brakes

    See Section 19 in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation for detailed description of endorsements.

    Table 2. List of endorsements and descriptions

    * Does not appear on the driver's licence card
    EndorsementDescription
    QAir brakes – the individual successfully completed an air brake course at an authorized organization.
    SSchool 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.

  • Designations

    A designation is a specialized endorsement that recognizes the highest level of Class 1 driver training you have completed.

    See Section 19 in the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation.

    Table 3. List of designations and descriptions

    DesignationDescription
    MELT1Mandatory 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.
    MELT2MELT 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 designation on their driver file.
    C1LP – EntryClass 1 Learning Pathway (C1LP) – Successful completion of the C1LP Entry program. Allows for enrollment in the C1LP Core program. (The C1LP replaces MELT1 as of April 1, 2025. It is still mandatory for all new Class 1 drivers. Those who completed a Class 1 MELT Program continue to have the MELT1 designation on their driver file).
    C1LP – CoreClass 1 Learning Pathway (C1LP) - Successful completion of the C1LP Core program. Allows for enrollment in the C1LP Competence program. Allows for drivers to be issued a Class 1 operator’s licence with provincial restriction.
    C1LP – CompClass 1 Learning Pathway (C1LP) - Successful completion of the C1LP Competence program. Allows for drivers to be issued a Class 1 operator’s licence without restriction.

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 4. Driver's Licence service types

Service typeDescription
Issued licence in AlbertaAn 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 renewedThe driver’s licence or ID card was renewed.
Licence reclassificationThe class of the driver's licence or ID card was changed.
Licence cancelledThe driver’s licence or ID card was cancelled.
Licence exchangedThe person exchanged their driver’s licence or ID card for a new one (for example an address change).
Duplicate licence issuedA 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 licenceA condition code(s) and/or endorsement code(s) was added or removed from the driver’s licence.
Licence returnedThe 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 reinstatedThe driver’s licence has been reinstated following suspension.
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