New Residency Rules

On July 17, 2006, changes came into effect regarding residency requirements for Alberta driver’s licences, identification cards and vehicle registrations. In order to obtain an Alberta driver’s licence or identification card, you must provide proof that you are lawfully entitled to be in Canada and that you are an Alberta resident. If you are new to Alberta, you must register your vehicle(s) and obtain an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province.

If you are a new resident in Alberta, you must register your vehicle(s) and obtain an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province, regardless of whether you travel outside Alberta during those 90 days.

If you are working in Alberta but have your residence outside the province, you may continue to use the valid registration and plates from your home jurisdiction as long as your vehicle is a non-commercial vehicle and has valid insurance.

If you are visiting Alberta, you may use your valid registration and plates (with valid insurance) from your home jurisdiction as long as you have a legitimate residence there and do not take up residency in Alberta. However, you must obtain Alberta registration if your vehicle has been in Alberta for a total of 183 days or more in a calendar year.

If you are staying in Alberta as a full time student or you are working here as part of a co-op program of study, you may use your valid registration and
licence plates from your home jurisdiction. You must also have valid insurance and the registration must be in your name. You can obtain further information from any Registry Agent office.

Your Key to Driving in Alberta

In Alberta, there are seven different classes of licences. These different licences allow you to do everything, from learning to drive to operating a taxi or a big rig. These licences are explained later in this section. When applying for an Alberta driver’s licence you must have proof of identification and proof of immigration status (if applicable).

You will be required to present two pieces of acceptable identification such as: passport, photo identification from another jurisdiction, birth certificate, Canadian citizenship photo identification, marriage certificate, immigration documentation, Canadian Forces ID Card, SIN Card (signed). For details re: acceptable identification, contact the Alberta Government Services call centre by calling the toll-free RITE direct line at 310-0000 followed by (780) 427-7013, or your local registry agent.

Note each piece of identification must contain name, date of birth, and or signature.

• Anyone under 18 years of age that is not married or self-supporting must provide consent from a parent or guardian. A parent or guardian must accompany you to a registry office to provide consent for a first time licence application or ID card.
• Individuals who have a vision impairment or a medical condition that may adversely affect their driving ability must discuss the matter with Driver Fitness & Monitoring by calling the toll-free RITE direct line at 310-0000 followed by (780) 427-8230. In some cases, a medical or vision report may be required for licencing.
• Individuals must be residents of Alberta.

Vision Screening

You will require an eye test before you get your Alberta operator’s licence. If you wear corrective eye glasses or contact lenses, bring them with you for the test. If you require adequate lenses to drive, you must wear them when being tested. If you do not meet the minimum vision standards, you will be referred to a vision specialist.

Knowledge Test

You will be given a test of your knowledge of safe-driving practices and the law. The questions used in the test are taken from the Basic Licence - Driver's Handbook (available online) and from the supplementary handbooks if applicable. Please read the handbook carefully.

You must purchase a knowledge test permit from a registry agent before a knowledge test will be given.

Medical Requirements

Medical reports are required in Classes 1,2 and 4:

• On initial application and on renewal;
• Every five years to age 45;
• Every two years from age 45 to age 65;
• Every year from age 65.

Medical reports are required in Classes 3,5,6,and 7 on initial application and on renewal when a person reaches age 75. Persons 75 to 77 years of age are normally issued licences which will expire on their 80th birthday. Persons 78 years of age or over are licenced for periods of two years.

The law requires that you report any medical condition, change in health, or physical disability that may affect your driving. Such report must be made to Alberta Registries through a Registry Agent who will in turn inform Driver Fitness & Monitoring (Medical Review Board). This is your responsibility and legal obligation, not that of your doctor.

NOTE: In any licence classification, medical reports may be required, upon the request of Alberta Transportation, in order to determine the physical condition of the licence holder.

Restrictions

Restrictions may be placed on an operator’s licence for many reasons, such as wearing adequate vision correction, restricted driving area or daylight driving only. Restrictions are listed as condition codes and are explained on the operator’s licence. For information regarding restrictions, or removal of a restriction, contact any registry agent or licenced driver examiner.

Reclassifying Your Licence

Before taking your road test, there are several prerequisites that need to be met. When upgrading your licence to a higher class, other than the class 7 to a 5, you must present proof that you have completed the knowledge exam for that particular class of licence.

You must also present proof of a vision screening that was conducted by a Registry Agent staff and in the cases of a Class1, 2 and/or 4 licences, a medical report completed by a physician (see Medical Requirements).
If you are not able to meet these requirements, please discuss the situation with your local licenced driver examiner.

No road test will be conducted in an air brake equipped vehicle unless you have proof that you have completed the Alberta airbrake course or have the appropriate endorsement on your licence.

You must pay a reclassification fee when your application is processed.

Parental Consent Requirement

If you are under the age of 18, your parent or guardian must accompany you to a registry office to sign consent on your licence application.

Remember, a parent has the right to withdraw their consent in writing at any time. If they do, the operator's licence will be suspended.

The signature of your parent or guardian is not required if you are married or self-supporting but you must present proof.

Road Test

Road testing services are provided through the registry agent network. Road tests are conducted by licensed driver examiners, with scheduling arranged by the registry agents.

Road test fees are determined jointly by the registry agent and driver examiner, and can vary by location. The government receives a fixed amount of $5 per test, with the agent and examiner portions added to this.

It is recommended that you compare the services offered at various registries including scheduling, fees, cancellation and refund policies, and methods of payment.

For information regarding requirements for a road test, contact a registry agent. Agents will provide a road test information sheet that outlines a number of considerations including client eligibility, vehicle requirements, required documents, fees and cancellation/no-show policies.

To locate a registry agent, use this link for road test locations: www.servicealberta.ca/617.cfm or look in the Yellow Pages directory under License and Registry Services Provide a vehicle that can be driven under the licence for which you are being tested.

Be Prepared for the Road Test

The examiner will check your vehicle before the test. A driving test may be refused if the examiner finds your vehicle to be mechanically unsafe. A vehicle displaying dangerous goods placards cannot be used for a road test.

You are expected to drive in a safe and reasonable manner. No passengers (other than the examiner) or pets are allowed in your vehicle during your road test. One exception will occur when the examiner is being monitored or trained. The examiner will not ask you to do anything that is unsafe or against the law. You will be asked only to do things that are required in everyday driving in Alberta.

For a road test your vehicle must have:

• a valid licence plate
• working brake, signal and headlights
• a working horn
• an accurate speedometer
• functional brakes and working park brake
• an unobstructed windshield
• safe tires
• functional driver and passenger doors
• a proper seat and working seat belts for you and the examiner
• steering with no excessive play
• no leaks in the exhaust system
• adequate mirrors
• enough fuel to accommodate a test of up to 60 minutes

Licence Classes

Class 1 Licence permits an operator to drive:

• any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles, other than a motorcycle
• class 6 type vehicles, for learning only

The minimum learning or licencing age is 18.

Class 2 Licence permits an operator to drive:

• any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that the holder of a Class 3, 4 and 5 operator's licence may operate
• any bus
• classes 1 and 6 type vehicles, for learner only.

The minimum learning or licencing age is 18.

Requirements: vision screening, written and road test, and medical report, airbrake certificate for vehicle with airbrakes.

Vehicle for road test: a bus with a seating capacity exceeding 24 including the operator.

Class 3 Licence permits an operator to drive:

• any motor vehicle, or combination of vehicles that the holder of a Class 5 operator's licence may operate
• a single motor vehicle with three or more axles
• a motor vehicle with three or more axles towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes
• classes 2 and 4 type vehicles without passengers
• all motor vehicles included under Class 1, 2 and 6, for learning only

No holder of a Class 3 operator's licence shall operate a motor vehicle:
that has a seating capacity of more than 15, while that vehicle is transporting any person in addition to the operator to transport passengers for hire

The minimum learning or licencing age is 18.

Requirements: vision screening, written and road test, airbrake certificate if the vehicle is equipped with airbrakes.

Vehicle for road test: Any single motor vehicle having three or more axles.

Class 4 Licence Permits an operator to drive:

• a taxi, ambulance or bus (including school or kindergarten buses) where seating capacity is not over 24, excluding the operator
• all motor vehicles included under Class 5
• all motor vehicles included under Classes 1, 2, 3 and 6, for learning only

The minimum learning or licencing age is 18.

Requirements: vision screening, written test, medical report, road test required if operator does not hold a class 1, 2 or 3 licence.

Vehicle for road test: any two-axle motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle.

Class 5 Licence permits an operator to drive:

• a two axle single motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle
• a two axle motor vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes
• a recreational vehicle or any combination of a recreational vehicle and a trailer, if the trailer has not more than two axles and is not equipped with airbrakes
• a moped
• Classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 type vehicles, for learning only

No holder of a Class 5 operator's licence shall operate a motor vehicle:
that has a seating capacity of more than 15, while that vehicle is transporting any person in addition to the operator to transport for hire

The minimum learning age is 14.
The minimum licencing age is 16.

Requirements: road test.

Vehicle for road test: any two-axle motor vehicle excluding a motorcycle.

Class 6 Licence permits an operator to drive:

• a motorcycle or a moped
• all motor vehicles under Class 5, for learning only

The minimum learning or licensing age is 16.  While learning to ride a motorcycle, the holder of a Class 5 licence may operate a motorcycle so long as they have a supervisor 18 years of age or older with a valid Class 6 licence either seated on the bike, following on another motorcycle, or in another motor vehicle.

Requirements: Written test and vision screening and a road test for applicants with any class of licence. All road tests will start and end at a Registry office.

Vehicle for road test: motorcycle without sidecar.

Class 7 Licence permits an operator to drive:

• a moped
• a motor vehicle referred to in the Class 5 category, as a learner only
• a motorcycle, as a learner only, if the operator is at least 16 years of age

The minimum learning or licensing age is 14.

Requirements: written test and vision screening.

Alberta's New Driver's Licence

An Original. Just like you.

Alberta is introducing a new Driver's Licence to increase security in order to protect the integrity of the driver's licence and the associated card-production process from criminals involved in identity theft and fraud. It is time to replace the aging technology currently being used to produce the cards.

Production of the new licences will begin on July 7, 2003. All registries will have the new equipment by mid-August 2003. You will not need to replace your current Driver's Licence until it expires.

For more information, and a look at the new card go to: http://governmentservices.gov.ab.ca/driverslicence/index.html

Last Updated May 24, 2011