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CALGARY REGISTRATION SERVICES YOU CAN COUNT ON

DRIVER'S LICENCE INFORMATION

EXPLORE DRIVER’S LICENCE INFORMATION FOR ALBERTA MOTORISTS

As your Calgary driver’s licence headquarters, Registry @ South Trail Crossing Ltd. is pleased to provide you with the following information. We are Government of Alberta authorized registry agents that serve you with a friendly and courteous staff. Learn more about our services.

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DRIVER'S LICENCE CLASSIFICATIONS

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For information on the following licence classes please go to the Service Alberta.

  • Class 1

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  • Class 5​

  • Class 2

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  • Class 6

  • Class 3

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  • Class 7

  • Class 7​

CLASS 5 GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENCE (GDL)

A Class 5 GDL driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • Any two-axle single motor vehicle

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  • A two-axle motor vehicle or a two-axle recreational vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles when the trailer is not equipped with air brakes

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  • A Class 6 type vehicle as a learner only

  • A recreational vehicle with not more than three axles

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  • A three-axle recreational vehicle and a trailer when the trailer has not more than two axles and is not equipped with air brakes

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  • A moped

Class 5 GDL Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 16 years of age or older

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  • Complete 12 months as a Class 7 GDL learner

  • Pass a vision screening

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  • Pass a Class 5 basic road test

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Road Test Vehicle

Any two-axle motor vehicle except a motorcycle

CLASS 6 GRADUATED DRIVER'S LICENCE (GDL)

A Class 6 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • A motorcycle

  • A moped

  • Class 5 GDL type vehicles as a learner only

Class 6 GDL Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 16 years of age or older

  • Pass a Class 6 basic skill and road test

  • Pass a vision screening

  • Complete 12 months as a Class 7 GDL learner

  • Pass a Class 6 knowledge test

Road Test Vehicle

A motorcycle without a sidecar

GRADUATED DRIVER’S LICENCE PROGRAM (GDL)

The Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) Program implemented May 20, 2003, is a two-stage program designed to permit newly licenced drivers the time to acquire, on a gradual basis, the support, skills and experience needed to safely operate a passenger car, light truck and/or motorcycle. The two stages are:

  • 12 months as a Class 7 GDL learner

  • 24 months as a Class 5, 6 or 5/6 GDL driver

The GDL Program applies to all newly licenced Class 7, 5 and 6 drivers, regardless of age.

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As of May 20, 2005 GDL clients are required to complete an Advanced Road Test to become a fully licensed driver. All clients will remain as a GDL probationary driver until they pass the Advanced Road Test and apply for a new, non-GDL driver’s licence. GDL clients cannot upgrade to a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 driver’s licence until they successfully exit the GDL Program.

Canadian Out of Province Drivers

As of May 20, 2005, clients from another Canadian jurisdiction who hold a driver’s licence equivalent to a Class 5, 6 or 5/6 must meet the Alberta GDL exit timelines before being issued a non-GDL driver’s licence.

Reciprocal Out of Country Drivers

Clients with a valid driver’s licence from a country that holds a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with Alberta must meet the Alberta GDL exit timelines before being issued a non-GDL driver’s licence.

These countries are:

  • Australia

  • France

  • Japan

  • Switzerland

  • Austria

  • Germany

  • Taiwan

  • United States

  • Belgium

  • Isle of Man

  • Republic of Korea

  • United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain (excluding Southern Ireland)

Non-Reciprocal Out of Country Drivers

Clients with a valid driver’s licence from a country that does not hold a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with Alberta must meet the Alberta GDL exit timelines and complete and pass the following to obtain a non-GDL licence:

  • Knowledge test

  • Vision screening

  • Advanced road test

Clients who do not have the required 2-year exit requirement or do not want to complete the Advanced Road Test will be placed in the GDL Licensing Program upon completing and passing the following:

  • Knowledge test

  • Vision screening

  • Basic toad test

Clients must provide proof of the date first licenced. For more information on how to be exempted from the GDL program please go to the Service Alberta website.

CONDITION CODES & ENDORSEMENTS

A condition code is placed on a driver’s licence when it is determined that the client’s driving privileges require limitations/ restrictions. Examples may include when a client:

  • Has a medical condition

  • Has lost the use of one or more limbs

  • Has a vision condition

  • Is temporarily out of the province

  • Has loss of hearing

  • Is monitored by the Alberta Transportation Safety Board

An endorsement code is used when a client has completed one of the following endorsement courses:

  • Air brake

  • School bus

  • Driver education

The following is a list of condition codes or endorsements and their meaning:

A: Adequate Lenses – client does not meet the minimum vision requirements without corrective lenses

B: Special Conditions – client has condition that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

C: Periodic Medical – client has a medical condition that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; must provide a medical at time of renewal

D: Periodic Vision Report – client has a vision condition which may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; must provide a vision referral report completed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist at time of renewal (does not appear on the licence)

E: Periodic Driver Examination – client has a degenerative medical condition or borderline driving habits that affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; must pass a road test at time of renewal (does not appear on the licence)

F: Clients Temporarily Out of the Province – clients who are temporarily out of the province and require a replacement licence

H: Daylight Driving Only – client has a vision condition which may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle

J: Both Outside Mirrors – client has restricted neck movement and is unable to shoulder check, total loss of hearing, or has vision restrictions

K: Automatic Transmission – client has lost the use of one or more limbs and is restricted to operating a vehicle equipped with automatic transmission

L: Adequate Hand Controls – client has lost the use of one or more limbs and is restricted to operating a vehicle with hand operated mechanical devices

M: Alberta Transportation Safety Board (ATSB) Review – client’s driver’s licence has been reinstated, however, continued monitoring is required by ATSB (does not appear on the licence)

N: Excludes Class 2 and 4 Operation – due to a medical condition the holder of a Class 1 licence is not allowed to operate vehicles in the Class 2 or 4 licence categories

Q: Air Brake Endorsement – client has successfully completed an air brake course (does not show on a Class 1 licence)

S: School Bus Endorsement – client has successfully completed a School Bus Endorsement program

T: Special Medical – client has a medical condition that affects their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; must provide a special medical at time of renewal (does not appear on the licence)

U: Completed Driver Course – client has successfully completed a driver education course (does not appear on the licence)

EXPIRY TERMS

An expiry term establishes the period of time for which a driver’s licence is issued to a client based on the client’s:

  • Licence class and age

  • Health

An expiry term establishes the period of time for which a driver’s licence is issued to a client based on the client’s:

  • Full calendar year calculated from birthday to birthday

  • 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5-year term

Driver’s licences must not be issued for less than six months.

RESTRICTED OPERATOR’S LICENCE PROGRAM

Know more about the Restricted Operator’s Licence program.

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Demerit Suspension

Demerit suspensions are generally assigned for traffic violations and are applied to your driver record on your conviction date. These suspensions remain on your driving record for two years from the date of reinstatement. The points vary depending upon the offence made.

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The Restricted Operator's Licence Program is used by clients who need to drive for employment, health, or education while serving a demerit suspension. The restricted licence is only valid for the period the client is suspended. If the client has completed their suspension period, the restricted licence should be exchanged for a non-restricted licence at a registry agent's office.

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Eligibility Criteria

Several situations may arise when you urgently need to visit a place or attend a medical emergency, but your suspension may not allow you to go. That’s when the Restricted Operator’s Licence can come to your rescue! Wondering if you are eligible for this licence? Here’s how it goes!

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​Clients can participate in the Restricted Operator’s Licence Program if they meet the following criteria:

  • Have a valid Alberta driver’s licence at the time of receiving the notice of pending suspension

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  • The suspension was imposed because of an accumulation of demerit points

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  • They have not served any demerit or Criminal Code suspensions within the past two years

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  • Reside or are employed in a remote area without readily available access to other means of transportation (ie. public transportation)

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  • All other reinstatement conditions must be met

  • Their driver’s licence is not a Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) or Class 7 learner’s licence

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  • They have no other active or pending suspensions or any types of warrants

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  • All outstanding fines and non-alcohol reinstatement fees must be paid in full

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  • Able to provide proof of employment or self-employment if applying for employment reasons

Revoked Licence

If you commit certain offences in Calgary, your driver's licence may be suspended or cancelled. Since we at Registry @ South Trail Crossing Ltd. recognize how important your driver's licence is to you, we'd want to assist you in understanding how your driving history impacts your driving rights. If you have been fined a traffic offence or have broken one of the program's restrictions, the following is a list of what will happen to your licence.

  • The restricted licence will be revoked immediately

  • The client cannot reapply during this suspension period to the Restricted Operator’s Licence Demerit Program

  • The client may be charged with driving while suspended. If the client is charged and convicted of driving while suspended, their licence will be suspended for at least an additional six-month period

  • The client will serve the remainder of their suspension term

  • The vehicle the client was driving may be seized for 30 days

IGNITION INTERLOCK PROGRAM

A client who has lost their driver's licence due to some alcohol-related criminal conviction can gain conditional privilege through the Ignition Interlock Program. Suppose your driver's licence is suspended through an impaired driving-related conviction, you may be required to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program. You must demonstrate a sustained ability to separate driving and drinking. It involves the installation of an ignition interlock device in a vehicle as a condition of driver licensing. This device measures the alcohol level of the driver and locks the ignition if the reading is too high.


Depending on the circumstances, participation in the program may be mandatory or voluntary.  The Ignition Interlock Program is compulsory for all drivers who have been convicted of:

  • Having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) equal or greater than 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milligrams of blood

  • Refusing breath/blood sample

Still got questions about our driver’s licence services in Calgary? Please contact us right away, and one of our team members will address all your concerns.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for participation in the Ignition Interlock Program, clients must:

  • Have the court’s authorization to participate in the program

  • Have 30 days or less remaining in their minimum prohibition term indicated on the Court Order of Driving Prohibition

  • Take the Planning Ahead Course when the client is a first time offender

  • Have no other active or pending suspensions, of any type

  • Have a valid Alberta driver’s licence at the time of suspension

  • Submit a copy of the Court Order of Driving Prohibition with the Ignition Interlock application to the Board

  • Be a resident of Alberta

  • Take the Impact Course for repeat or subsequent offenders

  • Ensure all other RC (Reinstatement Conditions) are met

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