There are two primary forms of identification in Alberta:
To apply for any driver’s licence or ID card, you will need to provide:
If you are coming from outside of Alberta and are planning to reside in Alberta, you are required to exchange your driver’s licence for an Alberta licence within 3 months of having moved here unless you are a student or a visitor.
If you are a student, you do not need to exchange your licence for the duration of your studies. If you are a visitor, or do not plan on permanently living in Alberta, you may use a valid driver’s licence from your home country or province for up to one year.
Please be aware that in Alberta it is illegal to hold more than one driver’s licence. When you apply for your Alberta licence, you are required to submit any other licences in your possession. This includes expired licences.
It is also illegal to hold both an Alberta ID card and an Alberta driver’s licence. When you get a new card, you are legally obligated to destroy all other Alberta cards you hold.
You may keep any identification cards you hold from another jurisdiction.
To replace a lost card, you will need to provide another form of identification. Common examples include:
Please note that photos or photocopies of identification are not acceptable. All identification documents must be original.
If you are unable to provide another form of ID, we can accept a minimum of two documents that prove your address and are dated within the last 90 days, such as the following:
Please be advised that registry agents cannot enter your file without having been provided some form of ID. Requests to “look up your photo” will be denied.
If you are unable to provide any of the above documents, there are agencies in Alberta that can help. If your licence or ID is still valid, you may contact the following agencies to be provided an Address Authorization form:
If your licence or ID is greater than six months expired, you will need to obtain an Identity Certification form. This form can be obtained from Alberta Health Services located at the Sheldon Chumir Centre at 1213 4 St SW, Calgary.
If you are an Alberta Resident and have lost your licence or your licence has expired while you are outside of Alberta, you may apply for what is referred to as a Code F licence.
To apply, you will be required to provide the following:
Once your application is ready, please email your documents to: motorvehicles@newurbanregistry.com. Once approved, we will email you an invoice that can be paid online. Once paid, we will provide you with a temporary licence or ID via encrypted email.
Please note that Alberta licences cannot be mailed to an address outside of Alberta. You may either have the original sent to your usual Alberta address, or you may have the licence redirected to a friend or family member residing in Alberta, who may then expedite the original licence to you. Code F licences must be exchanged for a regular licence once you return to Alberta. You will be required to prove your legal status and address again, as well as take a new vision test.
If you would like to cancel a current Alberta driver’s licence or ID, you will need to provide valid photo ID. This can be the card that you are cancelling as long as it is still valid.
If you intend to cancel your licence because you will no longer be driving, you may exchange it for an Alberta ID card. If you are cancelling your licence because you are moving to another province in Canada, you may not need to cancel your licence, as you will need to maintain its active status to exchange the card.
If you are cancelling a licence for a deceased person, you will be required to provide a death certificate or a funeral director statement of death. We will update the information on the clients file to update the mailing address of the Executor of the Estate.
If your Alberta driver’s licence or ID has not expired, or is expired for fewer than 6 months, you may simply bring your current card to the registry office. No additional documentation is required.
If the card has been expired for more than 6 months, you will need to provide proof of your legal status and proof of your address.
If your licence has been expired for more than 3 years, you will be required to complete a written and a road test.
If you have lost your card, please refer to the section titled To Replace a Lost Driver’s Licence or Identification Card.
To get a Class 1 driver’s licence in Alberta you must:
Tier 1 Entry Program
Tier 2 Core Learning Program
Tier 3 Competence Building Program
Tier 4 Advanced Driver Training Programs
A Commercial Driver’s Licenceallows a driver the ability to legally operate commercial vehicles, such as trucks, buses, or other large vehicles throughout Canada. The appropriate Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 licence depends on the type of commercial vehicle you intend to drive.
Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for a commercial licence in Alberta, you must meet the following basic requirements:
Training and Testing:
Class 1:
Class 2 and 3:
Pass the Knowledge Test:
Obtain a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP):
Schedule and Pass the Road Test:
Once you have completed the necessary training and feel comfortable with your driving skills, you can schedule a road test. This test will assess your ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely on the road, including issues such as
Obtain Your CDL:
Renewal and Medical Exams:
Class 4:
Pass the Knowledge Test:
Obtain Your CDL:
You will need your Drivers Licence and Medical
Steps to Obtain a Motorcycle “Class 6” licencein Alberta:
1. Eligibility Requirements:
2. Obtain a Class 6 Learner’s Licence (Motorcycle Permit):
4. Obtain the Motorcycle Learner’s Permit:
5. Schedule and Pass the Road Test:
6. Pass the Road Test and Obtain Class 6 Licence:
Summary of Steps:
Additional Considerations:
To obtain a driver’s licence in Alberta, you must pass a knowledge test on traffic laws.
Driver’s handbooks are available online on the website https://www.alberta.ca/driver-guides-overview-and-pdf-versions, or you can come into the New Urban Registry and purchase a hard copy of the driver’s guide.
The Driver’s Knowledge Tests are multiple-choice question tests conducted in a Registry Agent office. Knowledge Tests are conducted for
Each test comprises 30 multiple choice questions, with a passing score of 25. You may only take the test one time per day in Alberta. You may take the test as many times as you like provided you only take it one time per day and pay a fee each time.
Languages
Only the Class 7 test is available in 25 languages and can be taken with audio assistance or an English conversion dictionary.
Other licence classes and air brake tests are only available in English.
If your language is not available, you can arrange for an approved translator at your expense.
Requesting a Translator
Before requesting a translator for the Class 7 test, you must attempt the test at least three times using available options (audio, assisted, or another language). To request a translator, email trans.driver.prog@gov.ab.ca with your
If your language is not available on the test system, you can bring a translator with a valid Translation Identification Number (TIN) on your first attempt. Approved translators are subject to government approval.
Testing Requirements:
Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence: MELT is not required.
Please Note:
The use of any reference material (e.g., Driver’s Guide; notes; electronic devices that provide access to the internet, such as cellular/smart phone, handheld computer, electronic dictionary, google glasses, watches, etc.) is prohibited in the testing area.
Clients accessing any of these items during a test or communicating with anyone, other than registry agent personnel or with a TIN approved translator, will automatically fail and receive a 30-day suspension of test writing privileges.
