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Road Tests at Alberta Registeries

Road test bookings can be made in person or online. (Consult your instructor prior to booking road tests for his recommendations) It is recommended that you go for your road test about 15 minutes early for check-in; this will ensure that all road tests are completed on-time. Please take your driver’s license with you. If you are using your own vehicle, please bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance (digital or paper). We recommend you double check this before your test day to make sure that both are valid, and that the name on the registration matches the name on the insurance. If you are renting schools vehicle, your instructor will take care of all documents pertaining to vehicle.

The examiner will do a brief inspection of the vehicle to make sure the brake lights, signal lights and door latches are working properly. The requirements for each class of license is different.

Requirement for various Class Road Tests:

Class 4 Commercial Licence for Taxi, Ambulance, Bus (that seats under 24 passengers)

No road test required. Must meet below criteria’s:

Be at least 18 years old;
Hold a valid full, non-GDL Class 5 licence at minimum;
Pass Class 4 enhanced knowledge test within the last 12 months;
Complete vision assessment (can be completed at registry office); and Medical report completed in the last six months from a doctor or nurse practitioner
have proof that you live in Alberta
have valid ID
An air brake "Q" endorsement is required to operate air brake equipped vehicles. You must have either an air brake "Q" endorsement or a course completion certificate from an approved air brake organization.

Class 5 - graduated driver's licence (GDL)

Be at least 16 years old;
Have had a Class 7 learner's licence with at least one year of driving experience;
If you are under 18, you must have written consent from a parent or legal guardian; and
Complete vision assessment at the registry office.

Full, Non-GDL Class 5 Licence

No road test required. Must meet below criteria’s:

Be at least 18 years old;
Drive for at least 2 years as a Class 5-GDL driver or 1.5 year with Code U certificate from driving schools;
Have a valid licence with no licence suspensions during the last 12 months of the Class 5-GDL licence stage; and
Complete vision assessment at the registry office.

Vehicle / Equipment Requirements:

You must provide your own vehicle for road testing, unless you are renting a vehicle from the driving school. The vehicle provided must be in good working condition and meet all the requirements listed below. If your vehicle does not meet the requirements your road test will be cancelled, and you will not receive a refund. You will be responsible for paying for a new road test.

Class 5:

A current original certificate of registration or digital download of vehicle registration. Photocopies and electronic copies displayed on a mobile device are acceptable. Pictures of registration are not acceptable.
Valid insurance, in the form of a Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card (pink card) paper, photocopied, or electronic versions are acceptable. Pictures of insurance are not acceptable.
The vehicle must have enough fuel, windshield wiper fluid and other fluids for the test.
You must provide a mechanically sound vehicle including functioning:
- Headlights;
- Brake lights - including high-centre mount brake light, if equipped;
- Signal lights;
- Horn;
- Speedometer;
- Brakes;
- Seatbelts;
- Vehicle controls;
- Windshield wipers;
- Exhaust system; and
- Windows and doors; and
- Your vehicle may be refused if the airbag or SRS light is illuminated.
Unobstructed windshields and mirrors. Vision through the vehicle's glass must not be significantly obstructed or obscured. A cracked windshield or side glass must be evaluated from inside the vehicle for its impact on outward vision. Driver Examiners may discontinue the road test if they feel safety is compromised by limited visibility.
Front side windows and windshield must be free of non-factory tint.
Tires must be in good condition.
Clean and uncluttered passenger seat for the examiner.
A rental vehicle may be available to rent for your test.
No passengers, pets, food, drinks, smoking, use of mobile device, personal grooming or other distractions are allowed during the road test.
If you provide a rental vehicle, you must provide a copy of the contract with your name on it. Rental contract must match the name of the individual taking the road test. If you have a Class 7 licence, you may not be able to rent a vehicle in your name, no one else may rent the vehicle.
A driver examiner may cancel the test at any time if they feel unsafe.
Vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device must only be used for Road Tests when the client is in the Ignition Interlock Program.

Passing Your Road Test

Each type of road test has a maximum number of points you can get before you fail.

For example, you get points when you:

Don’t show a necessary driving skill, such as not checking mirrors or blind spots.
Fail to follow the rules of the road, such as not observing road signs or making an incorrect turn.
Complete a manoeuver poorly, such as signalling too soon or too late, or being too aggressive or too hesitant.

You will fail if you get:

More than 75 points on the Class 5, 5 Advanced, 6 or 6 Advanced.

You can also get an automatic fail or an “F” on your road test if you:

Endanger a pedestrian or another driver.
Drive unsafely.
Break traffic laws.
Missing right of way to pedestrians or other vehicles.
Rolling stops (not stopping completely when required).
Driving too slow or too fast then required.

Alberta Driver's Licence Road Test Checklist

Class 5 License

Your existing valid Alberta Operator's Licence
Class 5 Basic (GDL) Road test: Class 7 Learner's Licence for a minimum of 12 months
Class 5 Advanced (GDL Exit) Road test: Class 5 GDL Operator's Licence for a minimum of 24 months
Valid Insurance & Registration for the vehicle that you are providing for your road test
Road Test Permit
If you booked online your test permit is prepaid. You can pick up your test permit 15-20 minutes before your road test begins.
If you booked in person you will have received a test permit for your upcoming road test when you pay. You must provide this test permit to the driver examiner before your road test begins.
Knowledge Test Permit (If applicable)
Some classes of test require a knowledge test permit in addition to your Road Test Permit. If you take a knowledge test prior to your road test, bring this document with you to your road test as well
Corrective lenses if you need them for driving
Secondary Identification
A secondary piece of identification is required by the registry agent to reclass your operator's licence after you have passed your class 5 basic GDL road test.
If you have any questions about your secondary identification, contact the registry where you plan on taking your road test.
Below are some examples of acceptable secondary identification:
Alberta Health Care card or a health care card from another province that includes a photo | Firearms Licence | Passport | Canadian Permanent Resident Card | Citizenship Card | Federal Interim Health Card (with photo) | Indian Status Card | Birth Certificate | Valid Work Permit | University or College Issue Identification Cards
The vehicle you provide must be in proper working order. The following factors may affect your eligibility:
Working Brake Lights | Working Signal Lights | Sufficient Fuel | Mirrors | Unobstructed Windshield | Windshield Washer Fluid | Working Windshield Wipers | Brakes | Horn | Valid Registration | Valid Insurance

Understanding Class 7 & Class 5 (GDL / Non-GDL) Licenses

Step 1 - Class 7 GDL Learner License

Graduated driver's licensing in Alberta, also known as the GDL program, is a process in which new Alberta drivers must adhere to a knowledge test focused on concepts of basic driver safety, followed by two separate road tests.

The class 7 knowledge test is the first of the three steps to becoming a fully licensed driver without any restrictions attached to your class 5 licence.

You must hold a Class 7 learner's licence for at least one continuous year to be eligible to take the Class 5 road test. Any suspensions during this year will restart the process from the day your licence is reinstated from the suspension.

The Class 7 knowledge test can be taken at any local authorized Alberta Registry Agent.

The knowledge test consists of 30 multiple choice questions which will be performed from a computerized testing station. Out of these 30 multiple choice questions, you must get at least 25 correct in order to pass.

The test will end when you get a total of 6 questions wrong or 25 questions correct, regardless of what question you are on.

Some things to note for your Class 7 Knowledge Test

If you have any questions during the test, you can ask the registry agent clerk for help.
All electronic devices must be turned off.
You can take as long as you want to finish the test. Usually the only time restriction is when the registry closes, so be sure to arrive at the registry office at least an hour before they close.
Arriving early will give you extra time to ask any questions you may have.
A great time to take your class 7 knowledge test is the middle of the month, because there will be generally less people in the office, so there will be less noise, making it easier for you to concentrate.

If you fail, don't worry. Make sure you ask the registry agent clerk to go through the test with you to find out where you went wrong. Compare the questions you had difficulty with to the basic driver's handbook.

You are allowed 1 knowledge test per day.

Cheating and conversations (in any language) during the test will not be permitted.

Failure to comply could also result in a suspension from taking your class 7 knowledge test for 30 days.

Class 7 learner licence permits an operator to drive:

A moped
A motor vehicle referred to in the Class 5 category, as a learner only
A motorcycle, as a learner only, if the operator is at least 16 years of age The minimum learning or licensing age is 14. Requirements: written test and vision screening.

Step 2 - Class 5 GDL License

The Class 5 road test is step two of Alberta's GDL program, and will result in a Class 5 Basic (GDL) driver's licence.

This road test is designed to examine the basic driving skills you have obtained during the continuous 1 year that you held your class 7 GDL learner's licence. At least 60 hours of practice driving is recommended to prepare for this road test.

The Class 5 road test is approximately 45 minutes in length and will focus on basic driving skills such as:

Uncontrolled/controlled intersection management
Controls and switches of the vehicle you will be testing in
Parking (uphill | downhill | parallel)
Changing lanes properly & safely
Right & left turns
School/playground zones
Speed limits
Merging/Exiting/Weave Zones/High speed lane changes
Traffic Circles
One to one way/One way to two way/Two way to one way turns

The vehicle used to conduct the road test is your responsibility to provide. If you are unable to provide your own vehicle, you may be able to rent a vehicle for your class 5 road test from school.

Conditions for probationary GDL drivers after passing this test and obtaining your Class 5 GDL Licence:

You must be a probationary driver for a minimum of two years or 1.5 year with CODE U certificate.
You must have no more passengers than seat belts.
You will be suspended if you accumulate 8 or more demerit points.
You must have a zero alcohol level when driving.
You are not able to re-class your licence to a commercial driver's licence (classes 1, 2, 3 or 4).
You cannot serve as an accompanying driver to a learner.

Step 3 - Class 5 or Class 5 Non-GDL Licence

The Class 5 Advanced (GDL-Exit) licence no longer requires a road test. To exit the GDL program and become a fully licensed driver you must:

be holding Class 5 GDL licence for at least 2 years or (1.5 year if you hade CODE U certificate from school)
have been suspension free for the last twelve months of the probationary stage

If you meet the requirements, your licence will automatically be re-classed the next time you renew your licence. Once you have exited the GDL program, you will:

move from a class 5-GDL to a full class 5 driver's licence
qualify to re-class to a class 1, 2, 3, or 4 driver's licence
increase the number of demerits you are allowed
remove the zero alcohol and drug tolerance condition
be able to be an accompanying driver to a learner

Class 5 Licence permits an operator to drive:

A two-axle single motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle
A two-axle motor vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes
A recreational vehicle or any combination of a recreational vehicle and a trailer, if the trailer has not more than two axles and is not equipped with airbrakes
A moped

Classes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 type vehicles, for learning only. No holder of a Class 5 operator’s license shall operate a motor vehicle: that has a seating capacity of more than 15, while that vehicle is transporting any person including the operator to transport for hire

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