Driver's Licence information
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.
Driver's Licence Classifications
For information on the following licence classes please go to the Service Alberta.
Class 1
Class 2
Class 3
Class 4
Class 5
Class 6
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
A recreational vehicle with not more than three axles
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
A three-axle recreational vehicle and a trailer when the trailer has not more than two axles and is not equipped with air brakes
A Class 6 type vehicle as a learner only
A moped
Class 5 GDL Requirements
A client must:
Be 16 years of age or older
Pass a vision screening
Complete 12 months as a Class 7 GDL learner
Pass a Class 5 basic road test
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 vision screening
Pass a Class 6 knowledge test
Pass a Class 6 basic skill and road test
Complete 12 months as a Class 7 GDL learner
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.
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
Austria
Belgium
France
Germany
Isle of Man
Japan
Taiwan
Republic of Korea
Switzerland
United States
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 a vision condition
Has loss of hearing
Has lost the use of one or more limbs
Is temporarily out of the province
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
A driver’s licence expiry date is issued for a:
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.
First Application Class 1, 2, and 4 Licences
Age of Client
Service Date Within 6 Months of Next Birthdate
Service Date 6 Months or More From Next Birthdate
18 - 39
5 Years
4 Years
40
4 Years
4 Years
41
3 Years
3 Years
42
2 Years
2 Years
43 - 62
2 Years
1 Year
63
1 Years
1 Year
64 and Over
1 Years
0 Year
Note: Clients must submit a satisfactory medical and pass a vision screening
REnewals class 1, 2, and 4 licences
Age of Client
Service Date Within 6 Months of Next Birthdate
18 - 39
5 Years
40
4 Years
41
3 Years
42
2 Years
43 - 62
2 Years
63
1 Years
64 and Over
1 Years
Note: Clients must submit a satisfactory medical and pass a vision screening
First Application Class 3, 5, 6, and 7 Licences
Age of Client
Service Date Within 6 Months of Next Birthdate
Service Date 6 Months or More From Next Birthdate
14 - 69
5 Years
5 Years
70
4 Years
4 Years
71
3 Years
3 Years
72
2 Years
2 Years
73
1 Year
1 Year
74
5 Years (Medical Required)
0 Year (No Medical Required)
75*
4 Years
4 Years
76*
3 Years
3 Years
77*
2 Years
2 Years
78 and Over*
2 Years
1 Year
*Clients must submit a satisfactory medical and pass a vision screening
REnewals class 3, 5, 6, and 7 licences
Age of Client as of Current Expiry Date
Number of Years from Expiry of Current Licence
Up to age 70
5 Years
71
4 Years
72
3 Years
73
2 Years
74
1 Year
75*
4 Years
76*
4 Years
77*
3 Years
78 and Over*
2 Years
*Clients must submit a satisfactory medical and pass a vision screening