Moving to Alberta, out-of-province licences and renewals

By the end of this topic you can

• You can work out your deadline to exchange a licence.
• You can tell whether you need tests based on where your licence was issued.
• You can explain when a newcomer is placed in the GDL program.
• You can renew your Alberta licence on time.

What you need to know and understand

• Visitors with a valid licence can drive the same class of vehicle in Alberta for up to one year; if your licence is not in English, an International Driving Permit is strongly recommended, carried with your home licence.
• New residents from another Canadian province or territory must exchange within 90 days; no knowledge or road test is needed.
• Class 5 or 6 holders who have held that class for less than two years may be placed in GDL.
• Class 5, 6 and 7 licences from the United States can be exchanged without further testing.
• Alberta has reciprocal agreements with countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea.
• From a non-reciprocal country, you take the Class 7 knowledge test and can apply to have your driving history credited.
• It is illegal to hold more than one driver's licence or to drive with an expired one.

Exchanging your licence

• Other Canadian provinces and territories: bring your licence, proof of Alberta residence and proof of legal status in Canada, and surrender all licences you hold.
• Reciprocal countries: exchange for a Class 5 (some also Class 6) without tests; two or more years of experience gives a full Class 5.
• Non-reciprocal countries: pass the Class 7 knowledge test, then apply for a GDL exemption with original driving history documents. If accepted, you book a Class 5 road test. With two or more years of proven experience you can get a full Class 5; with less, a Class 5-GDL.

Renewing your licence

Alberta licences last one to five years depending on class, medical status and age. Renewal is done through a registry agent, and if you do not need a medical you can renew up to a year early. The government has stopped mailing most licence reminders, but you can sign up for free email reminders, sent about two months and two weeks before expiry. You must bring a medical form if you are 75 or older, have a medical condition code on your licence, or hold a Class 1, 2 or 4 licence.

• Expired more than six months: bring proof of legal status in Canada and Alberta residency.
• Expired more than three years: you must pass the written and road tests again.

Your vehicle too

If you bring a vehicle, you must change it to an Alberta registration within 90 days of moving.

Common mistakes

• Waiting past 90 days to exchange your licence.
• Assuming a short-held foreign licence gives you a full Class 5. Under two years usually means GDL.
• Keeping your old licence as a spare. You must surrender it.
• Letting your licence expire because no reminder arrived.

Test yourself: Moving to Alberta, out-of-province licences and renewals

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Class 5 GDL Alberta
• How to Get a Driver’s Licence in Alberta
• Alberta Road Test