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Alberta's classified licence system requires a driver to hold a valid licence which matches the type of vehicle being driven. A valid licence is one which has not been cancelled, revoked, suspended, or fraudulently obtained or altered.
A driver may only hold one driver's licence.
Classified licence system
The table below outlines the vehicles which may be driven by a holder in each class.
| LICENCE | PERMITS THE OPERATION OF | MINIMUM AGE |
|---|---|---|
| *An applicant for a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licence must be the holder of a Class 5 or better licence and be 18 years old. | ||
| **Class 3 licence does not permit the operation of (1) a motor vehicle that has a seating capacity of more than 15 while that vehicle is transporting any person in addition to the operator, or (2) a motor vehicle used to transport passengers for hire. | ||
| ***Class 5 operators may not drive a motorcycle, a motor vehicle with a seating capacity of more than 15 when the vehicle is transporting a passenger, or a motor vehicle that is transporting passengers for hire. | ||
| Class 1* |
| 18 |
| Class 2* |
| 18 |
| Class 3*/** |
| 18 |
| Class 4* |
| 18 |
| Class 5*** |
| 16 |
| Class 6 |
| 16 |
| Class 7 |
| 16 (for motorcycles) |
Entry-level driver training
Effective March 1, 2019, drivers obtaining a Class 1 (tractor trailer) licence must complete mandatory entry-level training in order to apply for the licence. Effective April 23, 2023 Class 2 licence (bus) applications will no longer need to complete the training.The total training hours amount to 113 hours of training, divided up as follows:
- 40.50 hours classroom instruction
- 15.50 hours of in-yards instruction
- 57.00 hours of in-cab training:
- Actual driving – 39.00 hours
- Off-road maneuvers – 18.00 hours
Knowledge & performance tests
Application
To demonstrate his knowledge of traffic laws and road signs, as well as his ability to operate a motor vehicle, an applicant is required to pass the knowledge and performance tests specific to the licence class for which he has applied.