An Overview of Our Drivers License Services
There are seven types of driver’s licenses in Alberta which allows drivers to operate different types of vehicles under different conditions. In some cases, a driver may have more than one class – for example, a taxi driver who has a motorcycle will need a Class 4, 6 driver’s license.
Class 7
Class 6
Class 5 GDL
Class 5 Non-GDL
Class 4
Class 3
Class 2 & 2Q
Class 1
Class 7 (Learner's)
Overview
A class 7 license allows you to drive:
- a moped by yourself
- a Class 5 or Class 6 vehicle with someone over 18 who has their full class 5 license.
Eligibility:
- Must be over 14 years old.
Restrictions with a Class 7:
- Cannot drive between 12:00am – 5:00am
- Must have 0% alcohol levels at all times
- Allowed 8 demerit points before being suspended.
How to get your Class 7 License
Step 1: Study and Practice
Get a copy of the Driver’s Guide here and do some practice tests.
Step 2: Conduct a Knowledge Test
Come into our office and write your knowledge test. You can take the test once a day if need be.
Step 3: Purchase your License Card
Upon completion of your exam, we will be more than happy to proceed with the next few steps. That includes a vision test. Once you pass the vision test, you will be able to buy the card.
After you purchase the card, it may take up to 21 days for it to arrive. In the meantime, you will have a temporary license which will last up to 30 days.
Class 6 (Motorcycles)
Overview
In Alberta, a class 6 license will allow you to drive a motorbike. A class 6 also allows you to drive a class 5 as a learner.
Eligibility
- Must be at least 16 years old, and have held a Class 7 license for at least one year.
- If you have a full Class 5 license, you’ll need to take a Class 6 knowledge and road test.
How to get your Class 6 License
Step 1: Take the Knowledge Test
- Come into our registry office and you can write the knowledge test.
- You’ll also have to bring in an existing Class 7, or 5 License.
Step 2: Pass Road Test
- We do not conduct road tests in the Town of Standard. Please refer to this link for more information.
Step 3: Purchase License
- Once you pass both the knowledge and road test, you can then purchase you Class 6 License card. Much like the Class 7 card, it may take up to 21 days for the card to arrive via the mail. In the meantime, you will have a temporary license.
Step 4: Upgrade to Full Class 6
- Once you have completed 2 years as a Class 6 driver and have no license suspensions, you will qualify for a full Class 6 license.
- At this point, you will have to book another road test and upon successful completion, you will be fully licensed for Class 6 driving.
Class 5 - GDL
Overview
In Alberta, a class 5 license will allow you to operate Class 5 motor vehicles which include:
- 2 -axle single motor vehicles.
- A motor home without air brakes (unless you hold an air brake certificate).
- A moped
- A recreational vehicle
- A recreational vehicle with a trailer, if the trailer has 2 axles and isn’t equipped with air brakes.
When you have driven for a total of 2 years, you can then upgrade to a full Class 5 Non-GDL license.
Eligibility
To get a probationary Class 5 GDL, you must:
- Have had a Class 7 License with a minimum of 1 years worth of driving experience.
- Be at least 16 years old.
- If you are under 18, you must have written consent from a guardian or parents.
- Be a Canadian Citizen, A Canadian permanent resident, hold a valid work visa or student visa, or have an approved refugee claim.
- Have proof you live in Alberta
- Have valid ID
- Have proof of residence in Canada
How to get your Class 5 GDL License
Step 1: Take the Road Test
- To take your road test, you will have to find a registered agency. We do not conduct road tests.
Step 2: Vision Test
- Once you have completed 2 years as a Class 6 driver and have no license suspensions, you will qualify for a full Class 5 GDL license.
Step 3: Pass a Vision Test
- Come into our office and have a quick vision test completed. Upon completion, you can then purchase your license.
Step 4: Purchase Card
After you complete the purchase of your card, you will wait around 21 business days for your license card to arrive in the mail. For the time being, you will have a temporary card which will last a maximum of 30 days.
You can read more about upgrading to your Non-GDL Class 5 license below.
Class 5 - Non-GDL
Overview
In Alberta, a class 5 Non-GDL will allow you to operate Class 5 motor vehicles which include:
- 2 -axle single motor vehicles.
- A motor home without air brakes (unless you hold an air brake certificate).
- A moped
- A recreational vehicle
- A recreational vehicle with a trailer, if the trailer has 2 axles and isn’t equipped with air brakes.
When you have driven for a total of 2 years, you can then upgrade to a full Class 5 Non-GDL license.
Eligibility
To get a Class 5 Non-GDL, you must:
- Have had a Class 5 License with a minimum of 2 years worth of driving experience.
- Be a Canadian Citizen, A Canadian permanent resident, hold a valid work visa or student visa, or have an approved refugee claim.
- Have proof you live in Alberta
- Have valid ID
- Have proof of residence in Canada
How to get your Class 5 Non-GDL License
Step 1: Take the Road Test
- You will have to conduct a more advanced road test with a registered agency to upgrade to your Class 5 Non-GDL. We do not conduct road tests.
Step 2: Re-class your License
- Come into our office and upon completion, you can then purchase your new Class 5 Non-GDL license.
After you complete the purchase of your card, you will wait around 21 business days for your license card to arrive in the mail. For the time being, you will have a temporary card which will last a maximum of 30 days.
Class 4
Overview
In Alberta, a Class 4 will allow you to operate a Class 5 motor vehicle as well as:
- A class 5 motor vehicle.
- Vehicles like a taxi for compensation.
- An ambulance
- A bus not exceeding 24 seats (excluding the operator).
- A motor vehicle with 2 axles.
Eligibility
To get Class 4, you must:
- Have a valid Class 5 License.
- Be 18 years or older
How to get your Class 4 License
Step 1: Pass Written Exam
- Visit our office and we can administer the test.
- The test is 30 multiple choice questions.
Step 2: Road Test
- Upon completion of your written exam, you will then have to conduct a road test. We do NOT conduct road tests.
Step 3: Medical Exam
- The last step is to speak to your doctor about completing a medical form indicating that you are eligible to obtain your Class 4 license.
Step 4: Re-class License
- Before you buy your license, if the vehicle you are going to operate has air brakes, you will need to provide a Q-Endorsement. If it is a vehicle without air brakes, disregard this message. To learn more about air brakes, navigate to the bottom of the page for more information.
- After you have completed all prior steps, you can then purchase your Class 4 License. Simply visit our office and we will be happy to assist you.
Class 3
Overview
In Alberta, a Class 3 will allow you to:
- Operate Class 5 motor vehicles.
- Operate Class 4 motor vehicles.
- Operate Class 2 motor vehicles
- Operate a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles.
- Operate a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles, and a trailer not equipped with air brakes.
Eligibility
To get Class 3 license, you must:
- Have a valid Class 5 License.
- Be 18 years or older
How to get your Class 3 License
Step 1: Pass Written Exam
- Visit our office and we can administer the test.
- The test is 30 multiple choice questions.
Step 2: Road Test
- Upon completion of your written exam, you will then have to conduct a road test. We do NOT conduct road tests.
Step 3: Re-class your License
- Before you buy your license, if the vehicle you are going to operate has air brakes, you will need to provide a Q-Endorsement. If it is a vehicle without air brakes, disregard this message. To learn more about air brakes, navigate to the bottom of the page for more information.
- After you have completed all prior steps, you can then purchase your Class 3 License. Simply visit our office and we will be happy to assist you.
Class 2 (2 & 2Q)
Overview
In Alberta, a Class 2 will allow you to:
- Operate Class 5 motor vehicles.
- Operate Class 4 motor vehicles.
- Operate Class 3 motor vehicles
- Operate a motor vehicle with 3 or more axles.
- Operate busses.
Eligibility
To get Class 3 license, you must:
- Have a valid Class 5 License.
- Be 18 years or older
How to get your Class 2 License (2 & 2Q)
Step 1: Pass Written Exam
- Visit our office and we can administer the test.
- The test is 30 multiple choice questions.
Step 2: Road Test
- Upon completion of your written exam, you will then have to conduct a road test. We do NOT conduct road tests.
Step 3: Medical
- The last step is to speak to your doctor about completing a medical form indicating that you are eligible to obtain your Class 4 license.
Step 4: Re-class your License
- Before you buy your license, if the vehicle you are going to operate has air brakes, you will need to provide a Q-Endorsement. If it is a vehicle without air brakes, disregard this message. To learn more about air brakes, navigate to the bottom of the page for more information.
- After you have completed all prior steps, you can then purchase your Class 2 License. Simply visit our office and we will be happy to assist you.
Class 1
Overview
In Alberta, a Class 1 will allow you to:
- Operate any Class of vehicle other than a Class 6
Eligibility
To get Class 1 license, you must:
- Have a valid Class 5 License holder.
- Be 18 years or older
How to get your Class 1 License
Step 1: Pass Written Exam
- Visit our office and we can administer the test.
- The test is 30 multiple choice questions.
Step 2: Air Brake Certificate
- Provide proof of your air brake “Q” endorsement, or
- Bring a course culmination testament from an endorsed air powered brake course.
Once you have brought one of the two listed above documents in, we can then proceed to the next step.
Step 3: Road Test
- Upon completion of your written exam, you will then have to conduct a road test. We do NOT conduct road tests.
Step 4: Medical
- The last step is to speak to your doctor about completing a medical form indicating that you are responsible to obtain your Class 1 license
Step 5: Re-class your License
- After you have completed all prior steps, you can then purchase your Class 1 License. Simply visit our office and we will be happy to assist you.
How to get your Q Endorsement (Air brakes)
Step 1: Complete Classroom Training (Air Brakes)
- To begin, you will have to participate in a classroom session delivered by a licensed driver training school.
- The classroom session is a minimum of 6.5 hours.
Step 2: Complete Practical Training
- Once you have completed your airbrake testing, you will have to register for practical training. Check here for more information.
Step 3: Practical Assessment
- The practical assessment is conducted in a one-on-one setting using the Air Brake Practical Test form and must be completed within the 15-minute time limit.
- Only one practical re-assessment is allowed before additional training is required.
- The re-assessment must be conducted on a different day.
- The licensed driver training school and the student will determine additional training requirements.
- Once you pass the practical assessment, you will be issued a Notice of Air Brake Program Completion form.
Step 4: Take the Knowledge Test
- To write your knowledge test, you will have to visit our office where we will issue the test.
- You will also need acceptable identification.
- The test is only in English.
- There is no limit as to how many times the test can be written.
Upon successful completion of all the previous steps, you will be given a Q endorsement on your license.
To learn more about airbrake testing, click here.
To learn more about the Class 4 license, click here.