ALT

Driver's licence

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

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 how to obtain an Alberta driver's licence.

Unless you are a full-time student, you will probably be required to exchange your original driver's licence for an Alberta licence within 90 days of moving to Alberta. Moving from one province to another requires getting a new driver's licence and registering your vehicle in your new province or territory.

Alberta has reciprocal licensing agreements with the following countries; if you have a driver’s licence from one of these countries you can exchange it in Alberta without undergoing any additional testing:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • England
  • France
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • Republic of Korea
  • Scotland
  • Switzerland
  • United States
  • Wales

If your licence is from another country you will have to complete a knowledge test and a road test. For more information about exchanging a driver’s licence Visit Service Alberta's website for information about exchanging a non-Canadian driver's licence.

Alberta has a Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) program for drivers with fewer than two years of proven driving experience. To be exempt from the GDL program you will have to provide documentation of your driving history. See Service Alberta for more information. If you do not have two years of proven driving history you will enter the GDL program. The program’s rules allow new drivers to gain experience driving under safer conditions. More information about the GDL program is available at Safe Roads.

If you do not want to drive but you would still like official government identification, a Government of Alberta photo identification card is available. Visit Service Alberta for more information about government identification cards.

Date Updated: Oct 25, 2010
RDP:1228