Upgrade to a professional driver’s licence

Get a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 driver’s licence to operate professional vehicles, such as a bus, taxi or ambulance.

Overview

There are 4 classes of professional driver’s licences in Alberta, and each one allows you to drive difference types of vehicles.

Class Allows you to drive
1 - Professional
  • any motor vehicle other than a motorcycle
  • Class 6 vehicles as a learner only
2 – Professional (bus)
  • any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 3, 4 or 5 driver’s licence is allowed to drive
  • a bus
  • a Class 1 or 6 vehicles as a learner only
3 – Professional (3 axles or more)
  • any motor vehicle that the holder of a Class 5 licence may drive
  • a single motor vehicle with 3 or more axles
  • a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles that is towing a trailer with one or more axles (if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes)
  • a Class 2 or 4 type vehicle without passengers  (bus, taxi, ambulance)
  • a Class 1, 2 or 6 vehicles as a learner only

However, you cannot drive a vehicle that:

  • can seat more than 15 people including the driver
  • transports passengers for hire
4 – Professional (taxi, ambulance)

a taxi, ambulance or bus (including a school or kindergarten bus) that seats fewer than 25 people including the driver
all motor vehicles included under Class 5

a Class 1, 2, 3 or 6 vehicles as a learner only

To upgrade to a professional driver’s licence, you’ll need:

  • photo ID

Visit the ID requirements page to find out what types of documents you need.

It’s recommended, though not mandatory, to take a Driver’s Education course before upgrading to a professional driver’s licence.

Eligibility

To upgrade to a professional licence you must:

  • have a full Class 5 driver’s licence
  • be a least 18 years old

How to upgrade

Step 1. Take a knowledge test

Go to a registry agent and take a knowledge test. You will need to pay a $17 fee to take the test. You can take the test once a day.

You will need to bring acceptable ID.

To drive a vehicle with air brakes, you must pass an air brake knowledge test. For more information, check the Air Brake Program.

Step 2. Pass a vision test

A registry agent will test your vision to see if your vision is good enough to drive.

A medical report form from your doctor will be required for class 1,2 and 4 licences.

Step 3. Pass a road test

Schedule a road test through a registry agent.

Registry agents have a road test information sheet that lets you know what you need, including:

  • eligibility
  • vehicle requirements
  • required documents
  • fees and cancellation/no-show policies

The cost of the road test is set by the registry agent, and can vary by location.

Step 4. Purchase your licence card

If you successfully pass the knowledge test, road test and vision test, you will be able to upgrade to a professional class driver’s licence.

You will be given a temporary licence that’s valid for 30 days or until your licence card comes in the mail.

Your licence card should arrive in 7- 10 business days. If it hasn’t arrived in 21 days, call the number on the back of your temporary licence and you’ll be given instructions on what to do. Report the missing licence to a registry agent within 60 days of applying, or you may be charged for a replacement.

When you get your licence card, you’ll have to destroy the temporary licence.

Cost

A knowledge test costs $17.00 plus GST.

The cost of the road test are set by the registry agent, and can vary by location.

The maximum charges for the tests are outlined in the Registry Agent Product Catalogue (PDF, 379 KB).

Exchanging your licence for a professional class licence

The fee for exchanging your licence card (not including GST) is $13.00. You can extend your licence expiry for several years.

# of years valid Cost
1 $21
2 $37
3 $53
4 $69
5 $84

Contact Motor Vehicles

Edmonton and area: 780-427-7013

Other areas in Alberta: 310-0000, then 780-427-7013 (toll-free)

8:15 am - 4:30 pm, Mon - Fri. Closed statutory holidays.

mv@gov.ab.ca