Are a Canadian citizen considering making the move to Alberta? We want to help. We understand that moving is one of the most stressful things a person can do. In order to make things a little easier, here is a short guide to navigating Alberta licenses.
Do you Need an Alberta Drivers licences to Drive in Alberta?
If you plan on moving to Alberta on a permanent basis, you must exchange your current licence for an Alberta licence within 90 days of moving to the province. This rule does not apply for temporary residents: students, members of the armed forces, temporary foreign workers, etc.
How do Alberta Drivers License’s work?
In Alberta, there are classifications of driver’s licenses. Class 5 full licences will be the license that most drivers have.
Class 7
A class 7 licence, also known as a learners permit, is a license that gives you a period of time to learn to drive in Alberta. A class 7 allows you to drive a vehicle with a fully licenced driver sitting in the front seat instructing. The other driver must be a class 5 driver (or higher) that is over the age of 18. Having a class 7 is a satisfactory license for driving a moped.
Class 7 drivers must:
- not be driving between midnight and 5:00 AM
- maintain a blood alcohol level of 0% (cannot have any alcohol in their system when driving)
- cannot drive with more people than the vehicle has seatbelts
Class 7 eligibility:
- must be at least 14 years old
- complete a written knowledge test (must get 25/30 questions correct)
- pass a vision test
- purchase the licence card
Class 6 (Motorcycle) Licence
A class 6 licence is the licence to drive a motorcycle in Alberta.
Motorcycle Licence eligibility:
- had a class 7 for at least a year
- must be at least 16 years old
- pass a knowledge test
- pass a road test (you will need to rent or provide your own motorcycle for the test)
- pass a vision test
- purchase the licence card
*You do not need a class 6 licence in order to get a class 5 licence
Class 5 Graduated Driver’s Licence
A class 5 GDL licence is the minimum licence required to drive a standard automobile (2 axle vehicles). With a class 5 GDL you can tow a trailer or drive a motorhome provided they do not have air brakes.
Class 5GDL eligibility:
- must have had a class 7 for at least 1 year
- no suspensions in the previous year as a class 7 driver
- must be at least 16 years old
- provide proof of residence in Alberta
- pass a road test (you will need to provide the vehicle)
- purchase the licence
Restrictions on a class 5 GDL include:
- blood alcohol level of the driver must be 0%
- a GDL licence will be suspended at 8 demerit points
- you cannot drive with more people than there are seat belts
- Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 licence upgrades are not allowed
- a GDL driver cannot be the accompanying driver to a class 7 driver
Class 5 Full Licence
A Class 5 full licence in Alberta is the licence that gives drivers of 2 axle automobiles the greatest level of freedom.
Class 5 Full Licence eligibility:
- must be 18 years of age
- must have at least 1 year of demerit free driving in Alberta
- after you have completed the requirements above, you will become automatically eligible for a full licence
- purchase renewal for full class 5 licence
*A full class 5 licence is the required to get any higher classification of licence.
*Full class 5 licences permit a maximum BAC of 0.05%
Class 4
A class 4 licence in Alberta is required for commercial driving. If you are driving a regular vehicle, a class 5 is all you require.
Class 4 allows you to drive:
- taxis
- ambulances
- buses that seats less than 24 passengers.
Class 4 eligibility:
- pass the knowledge test
- pass a road test
- pass a vision test
- over 18 years of age
- already have a full class 5
Class 3
Class 3 licences are for drivers using commercial vehicles that have 3 or more axles. Driver cannot transport passengers for hire or transport more than 14 passengers.
Class 2
Class 2 licences are for drivers operating a commercial bus with greater than 24 passengers.
Class 1
Class 1 licences are able to drive all vehicles other than a motorcycle.
Recap of Licences
| Licence | What You Can Drive |
| Class 7 |
By yourself: a moped Accompanied by a full class 5 driver: everything a class driver can drive (contingent on the rules of a class 7 licence). |
| Class 6 | Motorcycles |
| Class 5 | Standard 2 axle vehicles, motorhomes without air brakes, towing trailers without air brakes, recreation vehicles with 2 axles, and a moped. |
| Class 4 | Everything in class 5 + Ambulances, Taxis, and maximum 24 passenger buses. |
| Class 3 | Everything in class 5 + 3 axle vehicles and 3 axle trailers. |
| Class 2 | Everything in class 3, 4, and 5 + Commercial Buses |
| Class 1 | Everything other than a motorcycle. (Must have a class 6 to ride a motorcycle). |
How long is my licence valid for?
Alberta drivers licences are usually valid for 5 years, after that you will need to renew. In the event you change addresses, you may want to consider updating your licence. If you need licences, registration, or any other needs met, feel free to visit the amazing crew at the Armour Registry.
