Driver's licenses and laws

Driver's licences

Provincial governments in Canada issue driver's licences. If you have an international driver's licence or a driver's licence issued in another province of Canada, contact an Alberta Registry Agent to find out when and how to obtain an Alberta driver's licence.

Unless you are a full-time student, you will probably be required to obtain an Alberta driver's licence if you have been in Alberta for more than 90 days in 12 consecutive months. Moving from one province to another requires getting a new driver's licence and registering your vehicle in your new province or territory.

Every driver of a car, truck or motorcycle must have a valid driver's licence. You must have the licence with you when you are driving a motor vehicle. Driving without a valid driver's licence is against the law.

Car owners also must register the vehicle and purchase car insurance before operating the vehicle in Alberta. Insurance documents must be kept in the car. Driving without them is also against the law.
 
Alberta has a graduated driver licensing system:

• To obtain a learner's (Class 7) licence, new drivers must be at least 14 years of age, pass a vision test and pass a written test on the rules of the road. Learners are limited to driving under certain conditions. For example, they cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. At other times of the day, they can drive only when accompanied by a licenced driver who is at least 18 years of age and seated next to the driver.
   
• Learners can apply for a probationary licence after they have held a learner's licence for at least one year. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and pass a standard Alberta road test (a test of driving skills).
   
• Probationary drivers are limited to driving under certain conditions. For example, they cannot serve as an accompanying driver for a learner.
   
• Probationary drivers can apply for an operator's (Class 5) licence after they have held a probationary licence for at least two years and pass an advanced road test. They must not have had their licence suspended in the last year (for information about suspensions, see Traffic Tickets and Drinking and Driving in this section).

When you apply for a driver's licence, you will be asked to show proof of your identity and proof that you are a resident of Alberta. Those under the age of 18 must have their application signed by a parent or guardian.

By law, anyone who has a disease or disability that could affect their ability to drive safely must report the problem when they apply for a driver licence. If you are 75 years of age or older, you must submit a medical report.

Privately operated driving schools teach people to drive. Some driving schools offer lessons in other languages as well as English. For a list of driving schools in your area, look under Driving Instruction in the yellow pages of your telephone book or on the myTELUS phone book website.

To apply for a driver's licence or to obtain information about driving safety and driving laws, go to an Alberta Registry Agent. To find the closest Alberta Registry Agent, use the search feature on the Service Alberta's Alberta Registry Agents website. Or, look under License and Registry Services in the yellow pages of your telephone book.

Traffic tickets

Police give a summons (traffic ticket) to drivers for breaking traffic laws (for example, driving faster than the speed limit or failing to come to a full stop at a stop sign). The ticket specifies a fine. By paying the fine, you admit that you broke the law. If you believe you did not break the law, you can go to court. If you are found guilty, you will have to pay the fine and will receive between two and seven demerit points (marks given against an offender) against your licence.

If you accumulate 15 or more demerit points, your driver's licence will be suspended for one month. During this month, you are not allowed to drive. Before you can begin driving again, you will have to agree to meet special conditions.

Drinking and driving

Canada has strict laws about drinking alcohol and driving a motor vehicle. It is against the law:

• To drive a vehicle if your ability to drive is impaired by alcohol or drugs.
   
• To refuse to give a proper sample of your breath or blood if requested by a police officer.
   
• To have a level of alcohol in your blood of more than 0.08 per cent while driving a vehicle.

Drivers who break any of these rules automatically have their driver's licence suspended for one month.

It also is against the law to have an open bottle of alcohol in a vehicle. Even unopened containers of alcohol must be out of reach of the driver and passengers (for example, in the trunk of a car).

If you break these laws, you may face one or more of the following consequences:

• Temporary or permanent loss of your driver's licence.
• A large fine.
• Increased costs for insurance coverage.
• Mandatory participation in special classes for impaired drivers.
• A jail term.

Collisions

If a vehicle you are driving is involved in a collision (accident), you are required by law to show the other driver your name, address, driver's licence number, registration and insurance documents. You should get the same information from the other driver and write it down. Also, ask anyone who witnessed the collision for his or her name, address and telephone number. Other points to keep in mind:

• If you think the damage will cost more than $1,000 (one thousand) dollars to repair, notify the police. You also should contact your insurance company.
   
• If someone has been injured, call an ambulance and the police immediately. You are required by law to stay at the collision site until the police arrive.

Language problems are not an acceptable excuse for failing to follow these rules or failing to follow police instructions. If you have a problem communicating, ask a police officer to provide an interpreter.

Seat belts

By law in Alberta, all drivers and passengers in motor vehicles must fasten their seat belts. Failure to wear a seat belt can result in a fine.

Children under six years of age who weigh less than 18 kg (kilograms) must be secured in an approved and properly installed child safety seat.

Date Updated: Nov 01, 2007
RDP-578