Advanced road tests are no longer required to get a full Class 5 and Class 6 Alberta’s driver’s licence.
Effective April 1, 2023, eligible drivers currently in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program will save $154 by not having to take an advanced road test to become fully licensed.
“There are close to half a million drivers who will benefit from this,” said Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen. “These changes will help GDL drivers exit the program and apply for other classes of driver’s licences whether it’s for a semi-truck, gravel truck or bus.”
Alberta brought in the GDL program in 2003. The program placed new drivers on a 24-month probationary period for safety. This was followed by an advanced road test to exit the program and become fully licensed.
However, about 65 per cent of drivers over the past five years have not taken their advanced toad test. Neither did 99 per cent of motorcycle riders.
“Requiring a second test costs too much, it’s a roadblack to finding jobs and has created unnecessary red tape for my generation,” said Mount Royal University student Mark Emes.
“The elimination of the Class 5 and Class 6 advanced road tests under the Graduated Driver Licensing program is opne of the most significant cost-saving and red tape reduction measures introduced for young Alberta drivers.”
About 700,000 Albertans are currently in the GDL program. Under the new rules, 500,000 drivers may be eligible to exit the program.
Drivers who have an urgent need to exit the GDL program – needing a non-GDL licence for a job, etc. – can go to a registry agent office to confirm their eligibility. If the registry agent determines a driver is eligible, they will exchange the driver’s GDL licence for a non-GDL driver’s licence free of charge.
On June 25, 2023, the Government of Alberta will implement technology that will automatically exit eligible Albertans who’ve demonstrated safe driving behaviours from GDL drivers to non-GDL status.
GDL drivers must have no suspensions or demerits within their last 12 months of probation, including zero tolerance for any alcohol and/or drug consumption.
Drivers who exhibit poor driving behaviours and incur demerits, or are ticketed for other unsafe driving offences during the last year of their probation will have their probationary period extended for an additional year.
Learn more about changes to the drivers’ licensing system on the Government of Alberta website.
Red Deer-North constituents with questions, concerns or comments can reach out to the local constituency office. They can do so via the form on the contact page or by phoning (403) 342–2263.