Driver's Guide
All new drivers are part of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program
GDL ensures new drivers get the support, skills, and experience they need to handle driving
GDL improves road safety by creating a safe and controlled environment for new drivers
GDL driver's licenses:
Stage One: Class 7 (Learner's Licence)
Stage Two: Class 5-GDL (Probationary Licence)
Requirements to obtain a Class 7 learner's licence:
Be 14 years of age or older
Pass a vision screening
Pass a knowledge test on the rules of the road
Have parental consent if under 18 years of age
Have valid identification
Learner's conditions:
Hold a learner's licence (Class 7) for at least one year
Be accompanied by a fully-licensed (non-GDL) driver who is 18 years of age or older and seated next to you
Not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m.
Not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts
Suspended if accumulate eight or more demerit points
Must have a zero alcohol and/or drug level when driving
Requirements to become a probationary driver:
Hold Class 7 learner's licence for a year (extended if driving privileges are suspended)
Be 16 years of age or older
Pass the Alberta Class 5 road test
Probationary conditions:
Be a probationary driver for a minimum of two years
Not have more passengers than seat belts
Suspended if accumulate eight or more demerit points
Must have a zero alcohol and/or drug level when driving
Not able to re-class licence to a commercial driver's licence
Cannot serve as a supervising driver to a learner
Requirements to exit the GDL program:
Be at least 18 years of age
Be in the probationary stage for a minimum of two years
Be free of suspensions or traffic violations within the last 12 months of the probationary stage, including zero alcohol and/or drug level when driving
Probationary stage can be reduced by up to six months if:
Successfully complete an approved driver training course resulting in a condition code (U) being added to driving record
All other eligibility requirements are met
Upon exiting the GDL program, you will:
Move from a Class 5-GDL to a full Class 5 driver's licence
Qualify to re-class to a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 driver's licence
Increase the number of demerits allowed
Remove the zero alcohol and drug tolerance condition
Be able to be an accompanying driver to a learner
Vision assessment is required before obtaining an Alberta driver's licence
If vision standards are not met, referral to an optometrist or ophthalmologist is needed
Class 5 road test allows drivers to move from a Class 7 learner's licence to a Class 5-GDL driver's licence
Class 5 road test determines if learner has necessary driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road
Requirements for the road test:
Vehicle in acceptable working condition
Valid licence plate and insurance
Headlights, brake lights, and signal lights
Horn, speedometer, brakes/park brake
Unobstructed windshield/wipers, tires in good condition
Driver and passenger doors, vehicle seats/seat belts
Exhaust system/muffler, mirrors, enough fuel
Road test includes identifying and operating vehicle's controls, handling the vehicle, selecting proper lanes, obeying speed zones, determining right-of-way, interacting with other road users, and parking
Common reasons for not passing the road test:
Drivers earn points for mistakes made during the road test
Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions
Failing to stop completely before proceeding through an intersection controlled by a stop sign or before turning right on a red light
Failing to yield the right-of-way at an intersection or during a lane change
Obstructing traffic by driving too slowly or stopping unnecessarily
Climbing over the curb while parking or being unable to park legally in three attempts
Failing to slow or observe adequately at uncontrolled intersections
To update driver's license after passing a road test:
Take the road test permit to a registry agent
The road test permit is not a driver's license
Class 7 (GDL) license:
A person 14 years of age or older may apply for a learner driver's license
Parent or guardian consent required for applicants
All new drivers are part of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program
GDL ensures new drivers get the support, skills, and experience they need to handle driving
GDL improves road safety by creating a safe and controlled environment for new drivers
GDL driver's licenses:
Stage One: Class 7 (Learner's Licence)
Stage Two: Class 5-GDL (Probationary Licence)
Requirements to obtain a Class 7 learner's licence:
Be 14 years of age or older
Pass a vision screening
Pass a knowledge test on the rules of the road
Have parental consent if under 18 years of age
Have valid identification
Learner's conditions:
Hold a learner's licence (Class 7) for at least one year
Be accompanied by a fully-licensed (non-GDL) driver who is 18 years of age or older and seated next to you
Not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m.
Not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts
Suspended if accumulate eight or more demerit points
Must have a zero alcohol and/or drug level when driving
Requirements to become a probationary driver:
Hold Class 7 learner's licence for a year (extended if driving privileges are suspended)
Be 16 years of age or older
Pass the Alberta Class 5 road test
Probationary conditions:
Be a probationary driver for a minimum of two years
Not have more passengers than seat belts
Suspended if accumulate eight or more demerit points
Must have a zero alcohol and/or drug level when driving
Not able to re-class licence to a commercial driver's licence
Cannot serve as a supervising driver to a learner
Requirements to exit the GDL program:
Be at least 18 years of age
Be in the probationary stage for a minimum of two years
Be free of suspensions or traffic violations within the last 12 months of the probationary stage, including zero alcohol and/or drug level when driving
Probationary stage can be reduced by up to six months if:
Successfully complete an approved driver training course resulting in a condition code (U) being added to driving record
All other eligibility requirements are met
Upon exiting the GDL program, you will:
Move from a Class 5-GDL to a full Class 5 driver's licence
Qualify to re-class to a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 driver's licence
Increase the number of demerits allowed
Remove the zero alcohol and drug tolerance condition
Be able to be an accompanying driver to a learner
Vision assessment is required before obtaining an Alberta driver's licence
If vision standards are not met, referral to an optometrist or ophthalmologist is needed
Class 5 road test allows drivers to move from a Class 7 learner's licence to a Class 5-GDL driver's licence
Class 5 road test determines if learner has necessary driving skills and knowledge of the rules of the road
Requirements for the road test:
Vehicle in acceptable working condition
Valid licence plate and insurance
Headlights, brake lights, and signal lights
Horn, speedometer, brakes/park brake
Unobstructed windshield/wipers, tires in good condition
Driver and passenger doors, vehicle seats/seat belts
Exhaust system/muffler, mirrors, enough fuel
Road test includes identifying and operating vehicle's controls, handling the vehicle, selecting proper lanes, obeying speed zones, determining right-of-way, interacting with other road users, and parking
Common reasons for not passing the road test:
Drivers earn points for mistakes made during the road test
Exceeding the speed limit or driving too fast for the conditions
Failing to stop completely before proceeding through an intersection controlled by a stop sign or before turning right on a red light
Failing to yield the right-of-way at an intersection or during a lane change
Obstructing traffic by driving too slowly or stopping unnecessarily
Climbing over the curb while parking or being unable to park legally in three attempts
Failing to slow or observe adequately at uncontrolled intersections
To update driver's license after passing a road test:
Take the road test permit to a registry agent
The road test permit is not a driver's license
Class 7 (GDL) license:
A person 14 years of age or older may apply for a learner driver's license
Parent or guardian consent required for applicants
