Updated May 3, 2007

Program Overview

What is graduated driver licensing (GDL)?

Graduated driver licensing (GDL) is a program designed to improve road safety by creating a low risk, controlled environment for new drivers, regardless of age. GDL provides the opportunity for new drivers to gain experience, skills and maturity before graduating to more demanding driving conditions to become safe and responsible drivers.

Driver inexperience is a common factor in collisions involving new drivers. Alberta has introduced the GDL program because statistics show that the 48,000 new drivers entering the licensing system each year have a much higher collision risk than experienced drivers.

To move from one stage to the next, drivers and riders must show responsible driving behavior, sound vehicle-handling skills, as well as passing a road test to graduate from the learner and probationary stages.

What are the goals of the graduated driver licensing program?

• To reduce collisions, injuries and deaths in Alberta.
• To reinforce driving as a privilege and not a right.
• To create safer drivers from the time they begin driving and throughout their lives by reinforcing safe driving practice time.

All provinces that have implemented a GDL program have experienced significant decreases in the collision rates of new drivers.

Who is affected by GDL?

This program affects all new drivers, regardless of age.

Do Albertans support GDL?

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General Program Conditions

What are the rules and conditions of GDL?

To obtain a Learner's Licence (Class 7) you must:

• Be 14 years of age or older,
• Pass a vision screening,
• Pass a knowledge test on the rules of the road, and
• Have parental consent if you are 17 years of age or younger

Conditions for Drivers in the Learner Stage

• Must hold a Learner's Licence (Class 7) for at least one year to be eligible to move to the next stage
• Must be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and is seated next to the driver
• Not permitted to drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
• May not have more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle
• Will have your operator’s licence suspended at 8 demerits
• Zero alcohol tolerance

To become a Probationary driver you must:

• be 16 years of age or older, and
• pass the basic Alberta road test.

Conditions for Drivers in the Probationary Stage

• Must spend a minimum of two years as a probationary driver to be eligible to move to the next stage
• May not have more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle
•  Will have your operator’s licence suspended at 8 demerits
• Zero alcohol tolerance
• May not re-class to a commercial operator’s licence
• May not serve as an accompanying driver to a learner

To become a fully licensed driver (Class 5) you must:

• not have had your operator’s licence suspended or cancelled for the last 12 months of the two year probationary stage, and
• pass an advanced road test.

What if I choose to get a motorcycle licence after my Learner’s licence (Class 7)?

If you apply for a licence to operate a motorcycle after your Learner’s Licence (Class 7), you will be subject to the conditions of the GDL program.

If I have a valid class 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 operator’s licence and want to get my operator’s licence to ride a motorcycle (Class 6) will GDL apply to me?

No, it will not. The GDL program applies only to new riders holding a Class 7 or 5-GDL operator’s licence.

How long will it take to become a fully licensed driver?

It will take a minimum of three years to complete the learner and probationary stages of the graduated driver licensing program.

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Program Conditions

Why did Alberta introduce the Advanced Road Test (A.R.T.)?

Alberta introduced the advanced road test in May 2005 to assess whether drivers can handle the complex driving situations in the safe and responsible manner necessary to become a fully licensed driver. The A.R.T. is a challenging and diverse road test that requires drivers to:

• display smooth and controlled vehicle-handling skills,
• demonstrate the ability to assess potential risks, and
• minimize and avoid hazards.

Why am I not allowed to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. as a Learner?

The midnight to 5:00 a.m. curfew applies to learner drivers only. Not driving during this time, when the risks are increased, is a good way to avoid collisions because approximately half of fatal collisions involving new drivers happen after dark, and driving while impaired often occurs after dark.

These factors put lives in danger, especially for new drivers who are still developing the skills to avoid collisions. If you are out after midnight, your accompanying driver, who is a fully licensed driver, must take over the driving responsibility.

Why must there be a seat belt for every passenger?

Seat belts are one of the best ways to reduce or prevent injury in a collision, therefore this condition ensures that all passengers are protected.

Why am I not allowed to consume any alcohol before driving?

Under the GDL program, learners and probationary drivers must not consume any alcohol before driving. Driving is a complex task that requires the operator’s full attention. Alcohol impairs skill and judgment for all drivers, and especially for new drivers who are already experiencing the challenges of being a new driver. Consuming even a small amount of alcohol can be dangerous.

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Violation Of Program Conditions

What will happen if I violate a GDL program condition or restriction?

Violating a program condition or restriction may result in a new driver being charged with an offence as outlined below.

Note: If a new driver has their operator’s licence suspended due to accumulating 8 or more demerit points their operator’s licence will be reinstated, following the suspension, with 3 demerit points.Effective intervention strategies are in place that will enable Alberta Transportation to identify problem driving behaviors that may require the driver to attend improvement or remedial courses.

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Information For New Alberta Residents

When I come from another province that has a GDL program how will I be affected by Alberta’s GDL?

You will be given credit in Alberta for time spent in the other province’s GDL program. You will have to meet all of the conditions of Alberta’s requirements to be fully licensed.

When I come from a jurisdiction outside of Canada with several years of driving experience, will I be subject to the minimum three year requirement to complete both stages of GDL?

Drivers coming from jurisdictions outside of Canada will need to provide acceptable documentation to confirm their driving experience, and to determine whether or not they will be placed in the GDL program.

What is acceptable documentation to confirm previous driving experience?

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Additional GDL Information

How does the graduated driver licensing program affect me if I have a Class 7 operator’s licence and ride a moped?

If you ride a moped and hold a Class 7 licence, you will be subject to the following two conditions of GDL:

• You must not consume any alcohol prior to riding.
• You must not ride during ‘nighttime’.

What happens if I move out of Alberta while still in the GDL program?

Most provinces have a GDL program therefore your time in the program in Alberta will likely be credited toward the requirement in another province. It is best to check with the province you are moving to for more information.

What impact will GDL have on insurance for new drivers and riders?

GDL has no impact on insurance rates.

Will my operator’s licence while I’m a GDL driver or rider look different from a non-GDL operator’s licence?

Your operator’s licence will look the same as a non-GDL operator’s licence except for the letters ‘GDL’ clearly identified on the licence.

Under the GDL program will Class 7, Class 6-GDL, and Class 5-GDL drivers be required to display a sign on the vehicle to identify them as novice drivers?

This is not a requirement for Alberta's GDL program. The operator’s licence will be the only document to differentiate a GDL driver from a fully licensed driver.

Can a driver in the GDL program take a Defensive Driving Course (DDC) to reduce the demerit points on their driving record?

GDL drivers, with 2 or more demerits on their driving record, who successfully complete a defensive driving course, are entitled to a maximum reduction of 3 demerit points.  You may take advantage of this demerit reduction only once every 2 years.

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