Alberta’s New Graduated Driver Licensing System

Graduated Driver Licencing (GDL) is a program that will ensure new drivers, regardless of age, get the support, skills and experience they need to handle the complex task of driving. Graduated Driver Licencing will improve road safety by creating a lower risk and a more controlled environment for all new drivers. Practice and driver experience is what makes safe drivers. The following information highlights the key ingredients of GDL:

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

  • Be 14 years of age or older
  • Pass a vision test and a written knowledge test on the rules of the road

Parental Consent Requirement
If you are under the age of 18, and are making an operator’s licence application for the first time, your parent or guardian (who must show proof of guardianship), must accompany you to a registry office to sign consent on your licence application. The person signing the Parental Consent form must show proof of identity.
The signature of your parent or guardian is not required if you can prove you are married or self-supporting.

Learner's Conditions:

  • Must hold a Learner's Licence (Class 7) for at least 1 year
  • Must be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and who is seated next to the driver
  • Not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m.
  • Not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts
  • Fewer demerit points (8) are allowed than for fully licensed drivers (15)
  • Have a zero alcohol level

Stage two GDL probationary (Class 5)
To become a Probationary Driver you must:

  • Be 16 years of age or older
  • Pass the standard Alberta road test

Probationary Conditions:

  1. Must spend a minimum of 2 years as a Probationary Driver.
  2. No more passengers than seat belts.
  3. Fewer demerit points (8) are allowed than for fully licensed drivers (15).
  4. Have a zero alcohol level .
  5. No upgrading to a commercial licence (Class 1, 2, 3 or 4)
  6. Cannot serve as an accompanying driver to a Learner

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

  • Have been suspension free for the last year of the 2-year Probationary Stage
  • Pass an advanced road test

It will take a minimum of 3 years to complete both the Learner and Probationary stages of Graduated Licencing , and 4 years if you get your Learner’s Licence at 14 years of age.

If you apply for a Motorcycle Licence (Class 6) after your Class 7 licence, you are subject to the same conditions of the Graduated Driver Licencing Program.