Calgary 
Alberta has removed the requirement of eligible drivers in the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program to take advanced road tests to get their full Class 5 or Class 6 licence.
The move announced last September came into effect on April 1st.
The changes will allow eligible drivers to exit the program and receive a non-GDL driver’s license free of charge, resulting in $154 savings for the driver.
As per the news release, all restrictions of a GDL licence will remain in place until a driver has received a letter from the government indicating that they have exited the GDL program.
Drivers who need a non-GDL license for job purposes or other urgent reasons can visit a registry agent office to confirm their eligibility. If the agent determines that a driver is eligible, they can exchange the driver’s GDL license for a non-GDL driver’s license at no cost.
To be eligible for the exit, drivers must have no suspensions or demerits within the last 12 months of their probationary period, which includes zero tolerance for alcohol and drug consumption.
The criteria for exiting the GDL program are:
- you must be 18 years of age
- you must have completed your 24 months of probationary driving
- if you have taken a Class 5 or Class 6 driver training program from a driver training school licensed by Transportation and Economic Corridors, you may be eligible to reduce the 24-month probationary period by up to six months
- you must be suspension and demerit free for the last 12 months
However, if a driver exhibits poor driving behaviour and incurs demerits or is ticketed for other unsafe driving offences during the last year of their probation, their probationary period will be extended for an additional year.
A Class 6 licence allows you to drive a motorcycle or moped by yourself, while a Class 5 driver’s licence allows you to drive most cars, trucks or vans by yourself.
Drivers who wish to obtain a Class 4, 3, 2, or 1 driver’s license must first have a full (non-GDL) Class 5 driver’s license.
Per the news release, the provincial government will also implement technology to automatically exit eligible drivers who have demonstrated safe driving behaviours from GDL drivers to non-GDL status on June 25, 2023.
