The Alberta Class 5 road test: what to expect
Passing the Class 5 road test moves you from a Class 7 learner’s licence to a Class 5-GDL licence. It checks your vehicle handling, judgement and knowledge of the rules of the road.p. 12
Checked against the Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026) on .
The short version
- The test takes about 45 minutes, including the examiner’s instructions and your results.p. 12
- Speeding, a rolling stop, or failing to yield the right-of-way is an automatic fail, whatever your points.p. 13
- No passengers or pets are allowed on a road test.p. 15
- After you pass, take your road test permit to a registry agent to update your licence: the permit is not a driver’s licence.p. 13
Booking and the day of the test
- Class 5 road tests are given by licensed driver examiners through Alberta registry agents, and you book them through a registry agent.p. 15
- Tests usually start and end at a registry agent office.p. 15
- You drive without supervision, showing you can handle the vehicle safely around other road users.p. 12
- Wear glasses or contacts? Every licence needs a vision assessment, so bring them.p. 12
What your vehicle needs
The vehicle must be in acceptable working condition, with:p. 12
- a valid licence plate and insurancep. 12
- working headlights, brake lights and signal lightsp. 12
- a horn and a speedometerp. 12
- brakes and a park brakep. 12
- a clear windshield and working wipersp. 12
- tires in good conditionp. 12
- driver and passenger doors, seats and seat beltsp. 12
- an exhaust system and muffler, and mirrorsp. 12
- enough fuel for the testp. 12
What you’ll be tested on
You’ll identify and use your vehicle’s controls, and show:p. 12
- vehicle handling: steering, braking and speed controlp. 12
- choosing the proper lane for turnsp. 12
- obeying speed zonesp. 12
- right-of-way at intersections and during lane changesp. 12
- intersections with and without signs and signalsp. 12
- sharing the road without getting in other road users’ wayp. 12
- parking: perpendicular, uphill or downhill, and parallel (drivers over 65 don’t have to parallel park)p. 12
Brush up before test day: Right-of-way at Alberta intersections, Left turns, right turns and U-turns in Alberta and Parking rules and hill parking in Alberta.
How you can fail
Mistakes earn points, and each test has a limit. Go over the limit and you fail.p. 13
Whatever your points, these are an automatic fail:p. 13
- speeding, or driving too fast for the conditionsp. 13
- not stopping completely at a stop sign, or before turning right on a red lightp. 13
- failing to yield the right-of-way at an intersection or during a lane changep. 13
- holding up traffic by driving too slowly or stopping when you don’t need top. 13
- climbing the curb while parking, or not parking legally within three attemptsp. 13
- not slowing or looking properly at uncontrolled intersections, where you must be ready to yield to drivers on your rightp. 13
After you pass
Take the road test permit you bought for the test to a registry agent so your licence is updated. The permit itself is not a driver’s licence.p. 12
When you can take the road test, and the rules for new Class 5-GDL drivers: Class 7 learner’s licence rules in Alberta.