Driver’s Licensing

Medicals

Who is required to obtain a medical:

Seniors aged 75 or older
Commercial class licences (for Classes 1, 2, and 4)
People with existing medical conditions that might affect their driving performance (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, and psychiatric disorders)
Clients with a Class 3 licence who are going to be driving for commercial purposes in the United States

How to obtain a medical:

Go to your family doctor OR
Go to any walk-in clinic

Depending on your age, type of licence, and/or medical condition(s), you might be required to submit a Driver’s Medical every time you renew your driver’s licence. Approval from Driver’s

Fitness and Monitoring (DFM) might also be required in certain circumstances,such as ifyou are submitting a medical from a different province or country. In certain circumstances, DFM might remove your requirement for a Driver’s Medical if your condition changes.

Driver’s Medicals are required for certain individual drivers in Alberta.These include those with medical conditions, seniors, and those holding commercial licences (i.e., Class 1, 2, or 4).The purpose of the medical is to identify any medical conditions that may impair a driver’s ability to drive safely and to determine that the individual is medically fit to drive. You can obtain a medical from any physician or nurse practitioner in Alberta who chooses to provide them.The medical must be completed on an approved medical examination form:https://cfr.forms.gov.ab.ca/Form/TRANS3050

The medical report is valid for 6 months after it is completed.Unfortunately, medicals examinations are not insured under the Alberta Health Care Insurance plan because the insurance plan is intended for medically required services only. Physicians must advise a patient of the cost of an exam prior to starting the exam.

Seniors: A senior is required to first provide a driver’s medical at age 75 and then again at age 80.After age 80, a medical is required every two years.If you are over the age of 65 and are required to obtain a medical, you may be eligible to receive a partial refund. Please bring the doctor’s receipt with you to the registry.

Commercial Drivers:

Commercial d with a Class 1, 2, or 4 licence will require regular medical exams.

Medical Conditions: Individuals with certain medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive safely will be required to obtain periodic medicals.

Code “C” Licence: A driver with the condition code “C” on their licence is required to obtain periodic medical examinations.

Out-of- Province Duplicate Licence or Identification card CODE F Application

An Alberta Out-of-Province Duplicate Licence can be obtained if you are an Alberta Resident and temporarily out of the Province or if you are unable to attend a registry office in person.

CODE F APPLICATION PROCESS:

Complete the Application Form: Download the Remote Driver’s Licence /ID Card Application form here, or find it attached to this page. Initial in Part D (do not use check marks or X’s).
Email Required Documents: Send the following to motorvehicles@newurbanregistry.com: the completed and signed application form (initialed in Part D), a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID (or an alternative ID, such as Alberta Health Care or passport), a completed driver’s medical (if applicable), and proof of Alberta address (dated within 90 days).
Processing: After your documents are approved, your service will be processed and your licence or ID card will be renewed for a one-year term.
Temporary Licence/ID Card: You will receive a temporary licence or ID card via encrypted email.
Permanent Licence/ID Card: Your new permanent licence or ID card will be mailed within 1-2 weeks, containing a code “F” that needs to be removed at your next in-person service.
Next In-Person Visit: Bring the following documents to remove the code “F”: legal entitlement to be in Canada (e.g., Canadian birth certificate, passport, citizenship, or immigration documents), your valid photo ID (licence), and proof of your Alberta address (dated within the last 90 days).

• Additional Requirements: Please complete an eye test and take a new photo when it is possible for you to attend at New Urban Registry in person.

Knowledge Test Rules and What to Expect

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 conductedin a Registry Agent office.Knowledge Tests are conducted for

All licence classes (except for a Class 5 licence, but you must have passed the Class 7 knowledge test to be eligible for the Class 5)
Air brake endorsement
Sendorsement
Safety Fitness Certificate (SFC) Compliance Test

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.

Amharic
Arabic (Modern Standard)
Chinese (Simplified)
Italian
Korean
Oromo
Polish
Portuguese
Vietnamese
Chinese (Traditional)
Cree
Dutch
English
Punjabi
Russian
Somali
Spanish
Farsi
French
German
Hindi
Thai
Ukrainian
Urdu
Tagalog

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

Full name, date of birth, and mailing address
Contact email
Requested language

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:

Identification: Provide acceptable identification.
Minors can take a knowledge test but will need parental/guardian consent before obtaininga learner’s licence.
Driver’s Licence: Must have a valid Alberta driver’s licence (except for Class 7 knowledge test takers).
Must complete Class 1 Learning Pathway courses if required.

Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence: MELT is not required.

Air Brake Program: Must provide the original Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) with full details above the Registry Agent Section to take the Air Brake Knowledge Test.
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL Drivers): Allowed to participate in the Air Brake Program.

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.

Alberta Driver’s Licence Classes

In Alberta, driver’s licences are categorized into classes based on the type of vehicle you wish to drive. Here’s a sorted list of the Alberta Driver’s Licence Classes along with a brief description of each class:

Class 5 (Regular Driver’s Licence)

Class 5 GDL
- This is for new drivers and is issued under the Graduated Driver Licensing system. You can obtain a Class 5 GDL after passing a written knowledge test and a road test. It comes with certain restrictions (e.g., probation period, zero alcohol limit).
- Full Class 5:
  - After completing the GDL probation period (usually 2 years), you can upgrade to a Full Class 5, which has no restrictions.
- Vehicles Allowed:
  - Passenger vehicles, light trucks, and some motorcycles with no passenger capacity limit.

Class 6 (Motorcycle Licence)

Class 6 GDL:
- Allows new motorcycle riders to operate motorcycles under specific restrictions (e.g., no passengers, no night driving).
Full Class 6:
- After completing the Class 6 GDL probationary period, you can upgrade to a Full Class 6 licence, which has no restrictions.
- Vehicles Allowed:
  - Motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds.

Class 1 (Commercial Driver’s Licence (CDL) for Large Vehicles)

Class 1 allows you to drive a combination of vehicles, such as a semi-truck or tractor-trailer.
Vehicles Allowed:
- Any combination of vehicles, including heavy trucks and trailers, or trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 11,794 kg.
This class is required for people pursuing a career in long-haul trucking or driving heavy-duty vehicles.

Class 2 (Commercial Licence for Buses)

Class 2 is required for driving buses with the capacity to carry 24 or more passengers.
Vehicles Allowed:
- Buses (including school buses), shuttles, and other passenger-carrying vehicles.
Class 2 is often needed for professional bus drivers, including those driving for transit systems and school buses.

Class 3 (CDL for Large Vehicles without a Trailer)

Class 3 allows you to drive large single vehicles, such as straight trucks or large trucks without a trailer.
Vehicles Allowed:
- Large trucks with no trailer or with a trailer that does not weigh more than 4,600 kg, vehicles such as dump trucks, garbage trucks, and delivery trucks.

Class 4 (For Small Passenger Vehicles and Taxis)

Class 4 is typically required for driving small buses, taxis, ambulances, or other vehicles designed to carry 10 to 24 passengers.
Vehicles Allowed:
- Taxis, ambulances, shuttle buses, and other vehicles carrying 10-24 passengers.
It is also required for limousine drivers and those working in the ride-sharing industry.

Class 7 (GDL Licence)

Class 7 GDL is a graduated driver’s licence for beginner drivers. This licence is issued after the applicant passes a written knowledge test and is typically valid for new drivers before they move to a Class 5 GDL.
Vehicles Allowed:
- Passenger vehicles and light trucks under the GDL system restrictions.
The Class 7 allows for restricted driving (e.g., accompanied by an experienced driver, restrictions on night driving).

Summary Table:

Licence Class	Vehicles Allowed	Requirements
Class 5	Passenger vehicles, light trucks	Regular driver’s licence for personal use.
Class 6	Motorcycles	For motorcycle riding. Includes GDL system.
Class 1	Any combination of vehicles (e.g., semi-trucks)	Commercial vehicle licence for heavy-duty vehicles.
Class 2	Buses (24+ passengers)	For bus drivers.
Class 3	Large trucks (no trailer or light trailer)	CDL for large vehicles without a trailer.
Class 4	Small buses, taxis, ambulances (10-24 passengers)	For taxis, ambulances, and small passenger vehicles.
Class 7	Passenger vehicles (GDL system)	For beginner drivers (restricted driving).

These are the main classes of driver’s licences in Alberta, each designed for a specific type of vehicle or driving scenario. The GDL system applies to new drivers, and once you complete the required probationary period, you can upgrade to full, unrestricted licences in certain classes.

Fine Payments

You can pay City of Calgary parking and speeding tickets at the New Urban Registry.Here is what you need to know about the process.

There are two types of fines.

Current fines are any violation ticket that is not past the summons date/date specified on the ticket.To pay these fines at the New Urban Registry, we will need the ticket and your driver’s licence.

Overdue fines are any tickets that have not been dealt with by the due date on the summons listed on the ticket.Any overdue fine is transferred into the Motor Vehicles database and must be settled before any motor vehicle services can be completed.A late fee is usually added as a penalty to outstanding fines. Registry Agents are restricted from completed motor vehicles services until the government receives payment for the fines.The payment can be made at a Registry Agent for an extra fee, online if you still have the details of the ticket, or to the Traffic Court in person.

If you have your ticket and would like to pay online, you can pay at https://eservices.alberta.ca/fine-payments.html

If you are unaware of the ticket number and would like to use the Alberta digital search service:

https://traffictickets.alberta.ca/

Non-Reciprocal Licensing Process

For a list of Reciprocal countries, click here.

In Alberta, the non-reciprocal licensing process refers to the process through which individuals who hold a driver’s licence from a country or jurisdiction that does not have a reciprocal agreement with Alberta must go through additional steps to obtain an Alberta driver’s licence.

Unlike countries or jurisdictions that have reciprocal agreements with Alberta, for which drivers can exchange their licences without having to take a road test or written exam, non-reciprocal licensing requires the individual to go through the full Alberta licensing process.

Here’s an overview of the steps involved:

Eligibility Check:

Individuals with a valid driver’s licence from a non-reciprocal jurisdiction will generally need to meet certain eligibility criteria, such as being a resident of Alberta.
You must have held your driver’s licence for a certain period in your home country (often at least 2 years).

Knowledge Test:

A knowledge test (written exam) must be taken covering Alberta’s road signs, traffic laws, and rules of the road.
The test is available in various languages, and you can take it at any Registry Agent location in Alberta.

Vision Test:

A vision test will also be conducted to ensure you meet the minimum vision requirements for driving in Alberta.

Road Test:

A road test (driving test) is required. This test will assess your ability to safely operate a vehicle and follow road rules.
The road test must be booked in advance at a registry office or online.
It is important to have a vehicle that is in good working condition for the test.

Class 5 GDL or Class 5 Licence:

If you pass the knowledge and road tests, you will typically be issued a Class 5 GDL if you are a new driver or a Class 5 if you are an experienced driver.
The GDL licence comes with certain restrictions, such as a probationary period, whereas the Class 5 licence is for full, unrestricted driving privileges.

Licence Fees:

There are fees for the knowledge test, road test, and the issuance of the driver’s licence. You can check the latest fee schedule at the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) or registry agents.

Foreign Driver’s Licence:

Your foreign driver’s licence will not automatically be valid in Alberta beyond a certain period (usually 90 days for nonresidents). After this time, you will need to have an Alberta driver’s licence.

Important Notes:

Language Barrier: If English is not your first language, you may be able to request a translator for the written test. However, the road test will not allow for translation services, so it’s important to understand basic road signs and driving terms in English.
Vehicle Requirements for Road Test: If you’re taking the road test, make sure the vehicle you’re using meets safety standards, including working lights, signals, and brakes.
Driver’s Abstract: If requested, you may need to provide a driving history from your home country to prove your driving experience.

The non-reciprocal licensing process can be a bit lengthy, but it is necessary for ensuring that all drivers on Alberta’s roads are familiar with its laws and regulations. If you need more specific details or help with a particular part of the process, you may want to contact a local registry agent or Alberta’s Motor Vehicle Services.

Reciprocal Licensing Process