Study guide4 min read

Class 7 learner’s licence rules in Alberta

Q: Can a learner drive at night in Alberta?

Not between midnight and 5 a.m.: a Class 7 learner is not permitted to drive then. Breaking this curfew is a GDL offence worth 2 demerit points, and it applies to the learner stage only.

Q: Who can supervise a learner driver in Alberta?

A fully licensed (non-GDL) driver aged 18 or older, seated next to you. A probationary (Class 5-GDL) driver cannot supervise a learner. Driving with a supervisor who isn’t fully qualified is worth 2 demerit points.

Q: How long must you hold a Class 7 learner’s licence?

At least one year, and longer if you get a suspension. To move on to a probationary (Class 5-GDL) licence, you must also be 16 or older and pass the Alberta Class 5 road test.

Q: How many passengers can a learner driver have?

No more passengers than seat belts. Breaking this is a GDL offence worth 2 demerit points, and the same rule carries on into the probationary stage.

Once you pass the knowledge test, you drive under a set of learner’s conditions. They are the same whatever your age, and breaking some of them costs demerit points.p. 10 p. 110

Checked against the Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026) on Oct 28, 2026.

The short version

Hold your learner’s licence for at least one year.p. 10
Always drive with a fully licensed (non-GDL) driver aged 18 or older seated next to you.p. 10
No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.p. 10
No more passengers than seat belts.p. 10
Zero alcohol and zero drugs when you drive.p. 10
8 or more demerit points means a suspension.p. 10

The learner stage

A Class 7 licence is Stage One of Alberta’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. Every new driver goes through GDL, regardless of age. The program is there to give new drivers the support, skills and experience they need.p. 10

While you’re learning, with a fully licensed driver beside you, a Class 7 licence lets you drive:p. 13

any vehicle, or vehicle and trailer, that a Class 5 driver may drivep. 13
a motorcycle, if you’re 16 or older and learning with a supervisor who holds a Class 6 non-GDL licencep. 13
a mopedp. 13

Your supervising driver

You must always be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-GDL) driver who is 18 or older and is seated next to you.p. 10

A probationary (Class 5-GDL) driver can’t supervise you. A driver becomes able to accompany a learner only after leaving the GDL program.p. 10 p. 11

Driving with a supervisor who isn’t fully qualified is a GDL offence worth 2 demerit points.p. 110

No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.

As a learner you’re not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m. Breaking this curfew is worth 2 demerit points, and it’s an offence for the Class 7 learner stage only.p. 10 p. 110

Passengers

You can’t have more passengers than seat belts. That’s a 2-point GDL offence, and the rule carries on into the probationary stage.p. 10 p. 110

Zero alcohol and drugs

You must have a zero alcohol and drug level whenever you drive (or ride a motorcycle).p. 10

Alberta takes a zero tolerance approach to any alcohol or drugs for Class 7 and Class 5-GDL drivers. Breaking it means an immediate 30-day licence suspension and a 7-day vehicle seizure, plus a fine. More in Zero tolerance and impaired driving.p. 112

Demerit points

As a GDL driver:p. 108

At 4 to 7 demerit points within two years, you get a letter about your demerit point standing.p. 108
At 8 or more within two years, your licence is automatically suspended.p. 108

A suspension also delays your next stage: the year you must hold your learner’s licence is extended. See Demerit points in Alberta for what common offences are worth.p. 10

Moving on to Stage Two

To become a probationary (Class 5-GDL) driver, you must:p. 10

have held your Class 7 licence for a yearp. 10
be 16 or olderp. 10
pass the Alberta Class 5 road testp. 10

Probationary drivers keep several of the same rules: no more passengers than seat belts, zero alcohol and drugs, and a suspension at 8 or more demerit points. The probationary stage lasts at least two years, or up to six months less if you complete an approved driver training course (condition code U) and meet the other requirements.p. 10 p. 11

Learners ask

Can a learner drive at night in Alberta?

Not between midnight and 5 a.m.: a Class 7 learner is not permitted to drive then. Breaking this curfew is a GDL offence worth 2 demerit points, and it applies to the learner stage only.p. 10 p. 110

Who can supervise a learner driver in Alberta?

A fully licensed (non-GDL) driver aged 18 or older, seated next to you. A probationary (Class 5-GDL) driver cannot supervise a learner. Driving with a supervisor who isn’t fully qualified is worth 2 demerit points.p. 10 p. 110

How long must you hold a Class 7 learner’s licence?

At least one year, and longer if you get a suspension. To move on to a probationary (Class 5-GDL) licence, you must also be 16 or older and pass the Alberta Class 5 road test.p. 10

How many passengers can a learner driver have?

No more passengers than seat belts. Breaking this is a GDL offence worth 2 demerit points, and the same rule carries on into the probationary stage.p. 10 p. 110