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NWT learners (Class 7) cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., cannot carry anyone except their supervisor, and must have zero blood alcohol. Probationary drivers (Class 5P) can drive alone at any hour but may carry only one front-seat passenger and no more passengers than seatbelts. Both stages face a suspension at 6 demerit points. Here is each rule, and what happens if you break it.
Class 7 and Class 5P rules side by side
| Rule | Learner (Class 7) | Probationary (Class 5P) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 15 | 16 |
| Minimum time in stage | 1 year | 12 months, suspension-free |
| Supervisor | Always, beside you | Not required |
| Night driving | Not allowed 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. | No curfew |
| Passengers | Only the supervisor | One in the front seat; total no more than seatbelts |
| Blood alcohol | Zero (you and your supervisor) | Zero |
| Demerit limit | 6 points triggers suspension | 6 points triggers suspension |
| Commercial classes (1 to 4) | No | No |
| Can supervise a learner | No | No |
NWT learner rules (Class 7) explained
Your supervisor
You must always drive with a fully licensed driver who has at least 24 months of experience on a full Class 5. Time they held a GDL licence does not count, so a Class 5P holder cannot supervise you. The manual’s learning table sets 19 as the minimum supervisor age for Class 5 learners.
The 11 p.m. curfew
No driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., even with your supervisor. The manual and the Driver Services page list no exceptions.
No passengers
Nobody rides along except your supervisor. That includes family members and friends in the back seat.
Zero alcohol for two people
Both you and your supervisor must have a blood alcohol concentration of zero whenever the vehicle is moving.
NWT probationary rules (Class 5P) explained
- Passengers: one passenger in the front seat, and never more passengers than working seatbelts.
- Alcohol: zero. This also applies to any driver under 22, whatever their licence.
- No upgrades to commercial classes (1, 2, 3 or 4) while on 5P.
- No supervising a learner.
- Suspensions cost you time. A demerit suspension adds 1, 3 or 6 extra months to your stage, and Driver Services requires 12 months on 5P without a suspension before you can upgrade.
What happens if you break a GDL rule in the NWT?
| What happens | Result for a GDL driver |
|---|---|
| Any alcohol in your system | Licence suspended automatically for 30 days |
| 6 or more demerit points | Suspended for 1 month, reinstatement fee, and 1 extra month in your stage |
| 12 or more demerit points | Suspended for 3 months, fee, and 3 extra months in your stage |
| 15 or more demerit points | Suspended for 6 months, fee, and 6 extra months in your stage |
| Impaired driving conviction | Licence suspended |
Demerit points stay on your record for 24 months. Using a phone at the wheel alone costs 3 points. Details: NWT impaired driving, ignition interlock and demerits.
Scenario: can a learner drive a friend home at 10:30 p.m.?
No. Even though it is before 11 p.m., a Class 7 learner cannot carry anyone except the supervisor. If the drive would run past 11 p.m., it breaks the curfew too. A Class 5P driver could make the trip alone with the friend in the front seat.
Common questions
Can a learner drive after 11 p.m. if a parent is in the car?
No. The 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. ban applies with or without a supervisor.
Can my older sibling on a 5P licence supervise me?
No. Probationary drivers cannot be accompanying drivers, and the supervisor needs 24 months on a full Class 5.
Is there a curfew on a Class 5P in the NWT?
No. The NWT probationary stage has passenger and alcohol limits but no night-driving restriction.
Does the zero-alcohol rule end when I get my full Class 5?
Only if you are 22 or older. Drivers under 22 must have zero alcohol whatever their licence.
Can I take friends in the back seat on a 5P?
Yes, as long as each person has a seatbelt. The manual limits the front seat to one passenger and the whole car to no more passengers than seatbelts. It sets no separate back-seat limit.
Do motorcycle learners have the same rules?
Yes for the curfew and supervision. The supervisor needs 24 months on a full Class 6 and must ride with you or follow you.
Back to the full guide: Learning to drive in the Northwest Territories. Compare other provinces in Canadian graduated licensing compared, and get ready for the test with the NWT knowledge test and road test.
Sources
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Infrastructure, “Driver’s Manual: A guide to safely operate cars and light trucks”, Chapters 1 and 9 (idmv.inf.gov.nt.ca)
- Government of the Northwest Territories, “Get a driver’s licence for the first time” (idmv.inf.gov.nt.ca)
- Government of the Northwest Territories, “Demerit points and suspensions” (idmv.inf.gov.nt.ca)
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Infrastructure, “Impaired Driving” (inf.gov.nt.ca)
- Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Infrastructure, “Distracted Driving” (inf.gov.nt.ca)