Alberta Graduated Driver Licensing System
New drivers, regardless of age, will be driving in a lower risk, more controlled environment under Alberta’s new Graduated Driver Licensing system. The program came into effect May 2003. The graduated program improves road safety by extending the learning stage for new drivers, helping them gain more experience and improve their skills before graduating to more demanding driving conditions.
New drivers progress through two stages: Learner and Probationary.
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
- Have parental consent if you are younger than 18 years of age
Learner’s Conditions:
- Must hold a Learner’s licence (Class 7) for at least 1 year
- Must be accompanied by a fully licenced (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.
- No more passengers than seat belts
- Fewer demerit points are allowed than for fully licenced drivers
- Have a zero alcohol level
Probationary
To become a Probationary Driver you must:
- Be 16 years of age or older
- Pass the standard Alberta road test
Probationary Conditions:
- Must spend a minimum of 2 years as a Probationary Driver
- No more passengers than seat belts
- Fewer demerit points are allowed than for fully licensed drivers
- Have a zero alcohol level
- No upgrading to a commercial licence
- Cannot serve as an accompanying driver to a Learner
Fully Licenced Driver
Class 5
- Be at least 16 years old;
- Have had a Class 7 learner’s licence with at least one year of driving experience;
- If you are under 18, you must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian; and
All outstanding fines on your motor vehicle file must be paid ahead of your road test. If the fine payment is made online within the last 5 days, proof of payment will be required. If you are unable to satisfy this requirement, the road test will not proceed, no refund will be issued and you will be responsible for paying for a new road test. You are encouraged to pay any fines on your motor vehicle file at least 24 hours ahead of the test to prevent delays.
- You must produce a valid Alberta Learner’s or Driver’s Licence – you may provide a temporary licence with an additional piece of government issued photo identification like a passport, permanent resident card or Nexus card.
- If you are reinstating your licence, you may require additional testing or documentation. Please visit our office in person prior to your road test if you are unsure of the suspension reinstatement conditions. If you fail to confirm eligibility prior to the road test, you will not be eligible to reschedule or receive a refund. You will be responsible to pay for a new test.
- You must meet all conditions on your driver’s licence (eg: bring your glasses if the licence has a condition code A).
- You must meet the minimum age requirements and all requirements for the licence class you are being tested for. If you are not eligible for the road test, the road test will not be rescheduled and a refund will not be issued. You will be responsible for paying for a new test.
Consequences Related To Graduated Licenses
Learner and probationary drivers with even a trace of alcohol in their blood are subject to a 24-hour suspension followed by a seven-day temporary driver permit and then a one-month driver’s licence suspension.
Fines and Penalties Specific to graduated licensing:
- Conditions Penalty
- Zero tolerance for alcohol
- No more passengers than seatbelts
- Driving after midnight
- No accompanying driver
- Immediate 30 day suspension
- $100 fine and two demerit points
- $100 fine and two demerit points
- $150 fine and two demerit points
Strong support for Graduated Licences
There is strong support for graduated licensing in Alberta and throughout North America. Significant decreases in the collisions, injuries and deaths of new drivers have been seen in all provinces that have implemented a graduated program. In Ontario, collision rates for new drivers have decreased 30 per cent since the province introduced graduated licensing.
