The Graduated licensing Program Explained
The graduated licensing program, from beginning to end, takes typically 3 years to complete. The minimum age you can begin the GDL process is 14.
Below is an overview of the three major milestones required to complete the program and become an unrestricted class 5 Alberta Operator's Licence holder.
In the left navigation pane, you will find specific details pertaining to each milestone, starting with the class 7 Knowledge test. These milestones must be done in order.
Class 7 Knowledge Test
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 basic or GDL 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 5 Basic GDL Road Test
The Class 5 basic GDL road test is step two of the GDL program.
During the next two steps, you will be required to take two road tests.
The class 5 Basic GDL road test is the first of these two road tests.
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 basic GDL road test is 25 to 30 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
The vehicle used to conduct the Class 5 basic GDL 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 basic GDL road test.
You may want to plan ahead as not all registry locations and road test availability will have a rental vehicle offered.
The driver examiner will be conducting the road test from the passenger seat of the vehicle.
If you need to rent a vehicle for your road test, check availability and book online.
Class 5 Advanced GDL Exit Road Test
The Class 5 Advanced road test is the last milestone necessary to receive a class 5 Alberta Operator's Licence with no restrictions. This is the last road test in the GDL program.
This road test is designed to test the more advanced driving skills you have obtained during the 2 years that you have held your class 5 basic GDL driver's licence.
The focus of the class 5 advanced road test is to determine if you can incorporate safe and responsible decisions while driving under more challenging road conditions.
The decision to take the class 5 GDL advanced road test is up to each individual.
However, not taking the GDL advanced road test means you must adhere to all the restrictions of a class 5 GDL licence holder.
After passing the Class 5 advanced road test, you will have earned the privilege to carry an unrestricted class 5 Alberta Driver's Licence.
This means you will have no time restrictions of when you can drive as well as a higher allowance of 15 demerit points before a licence suspension.
The Class 5 basic road test is 60 minutes in length and will focus on advanced driving skills, and a demonstration of safe responsible decisions in driving.
Some driving manoeuvres and situations that you may face include:
- Intersection Management - Controlled | Through | Uncontrolled
- Pedestrian Cross Walk Management
- Parking - Uphill | Down Hill | Parallel
- Changing Lanes Properly & Safely
- Right & Left Turns
- School/Playground Zones
- Speed Limits
- Entering / Exiting a High Speed Roadway
- Managing moderated and/or congested traffic
- Right & Left Road Curves
- Management of Railway Crossings - Controlled | Uncontrolled
- Management of Various Speed Zones
- Angle Parking
- Emergency Procedures/Preparation
The Class 5 advanced road test is conducted with you and a driver examiner in a vehicle that you will either provide or rent from an available registry location.
If you are unable to provide your own vehicle, you may rent a vehicle to go on your class 5 advanced GDL road test. If you wish to rent a vehicle, you must do so at the time of booking your road test online.
You may want to plan ahead as not all registry locations and road test availability will have a rental vehicle offered.
The driver examiner will be conducting the road test from the passenger seat of the vehicle.
