Study guide3 min read

Class 5-GDL in Alberta: the rules for your probationary licence

Passing the Class 5 road test moves you from your learner’s licence to a Class 5-GDL, the probationary licence. You can drive on your own now, but a few rules still apply until you earn a full Class 5.p. 12

Checked against the Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026) on Oct 11, 2026.

The short version

You can get a Class 5-GDL once you have held your Class 7 for at least one year, are 16 or older and pass the Class 5 road test.p. 10
The probationary stage lasts at least two years. An approved driver training course can shorten it by up to six months.p. 10 p. 11
Zero alcohol and drugs, no more passengers than seat belts, and a suspension at 8 demerit points.p. 10
You can’t supervise a learner, or move up to a commercial licence (Class 1 to 4), until you leave GDL.p. 10

The GDL stages, from learner to full licence

Every new driver in Alberta goes through the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, whatever their age.p. 10

From learner to full licencep. 10 p. 11
Stage	Licence	How long
Stage One	Class 7 learner’s licence	At least one year
Stage Two	Class 5-GDL probationary licence	At least two years
Stage Three	Full Class 5 (non-GDL)	Once you meet the exit rules

The learner stage rules (your supervisor, the midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew, passengers): Class 7 learner’s licence rules in Alberta.

Getting your Class 5-GDL

To become a probationary driver you must:p. 10

hold your Class 7 learner’s licence for a year (longer if your licence is suspended)p. 10
be 16 or olderp. 10
pass the Alberta Class 5 road testp. 10

Under 18? A parent or guardian must give consent when you apply.p. 13

After you pass, take the road test permit to a registry agent so your licence is updated. The permit itself is not a driver’s licence.p. 12

What the examiner checks, and the most common reasons people fail: The Alberta Class 5 road test: what to expect.

The probationary rules

With a Class 5-GDL you may drive the same vehicles as a full Class 5 driver. The midnight-to-5 a.m. curfew was for the learner stage only.p. 13 p. 110

These rules still apply:p. 10

Stay a probationary driver for at least two years.p. 10
No more passengers than seat belts.p. 10
Zero alcohol and drugs whenever you drive.p. 10
Your licence is suspended at 8 or more demerit points.p. 10
You can’t move up to a commercial licence (Class 1, 2, 3 or 4).p. 10
You can’t be the supervising driver for a learner.p. 10

Demerit points on a GDL licence

GDL drivers, within any two-year periodp. 108
Demerit points	What happens
4 to 7	A letter about your demerit point standing
8 or more	Automatic suspension
After the suspension	Your licence comes back with 3 points still on your record

Carrying more passengers than seat belts is a GDL offence worth 2 points on its own.p. 110

Points for each offence, and how suspensions work: Demerit points in Alberta.

Getting your full Class 5

To leave GDL you must:p. 11

be at least 18p. 11
have been a probationary driver for at least two yearsp. 11
have no suspensions or traffic violations in the last 12 months of the probationary stage, including driving with zero alcohol and drugsp. 11

Once you leave GDL you:p. 11

hold a full Class 5 licencep. 11
can move up to a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 licencep. 11
are allowed more demerit points: suspension comes at 15 or more within two yearsp. 11 p. 108
no longer have the zero alcohol and drug conditionp. 11
can be the supervising driver for a learnerp. 11