How to get your learner’s licence in Alberta: step by step (2026)
A Class 7 learner’s licence is Stage One of Alberta’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, and it’s where every new driver starts, whatever their age. Here is the whole road to it: who can apply, what to bring, the tests at the registry, and what happens once the card is yours.p. 10
Checked against the Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026) on .
The short version
- You can apply at 14 or older. Under 18, a parent or guardian comes with you and signs a consent form.p. 10p. 16
- Bring original documents that prove who you are, that you live in Alberta and that you’re lawfully entitled to be in Canada. You don’t need to be a citizen.alberta.ca ↗
- At the registry you pass a vision screening and the knowledge test: 30 multiple-choice questions, and you need 25 right.p. 10alberta.ca ↗
- Then you buy your Class 7 card. A temporary licence lets you drive for 30 days or until the card comes in the mail.alberta.ca ↗
- New since July 2, 2026: cards show a Canadian citizenship marker when your documents confirm citizenship.alberta.ca ↗
Check that you can apply
To get a Class 7 learner’s licence, you must:p. 10
A driver’s licence is only issued to Alberta residents. In the guide’s words, a resident is someone lawfully entitled to be in Canada who makes their home in Alberta and is ordinarily present here. You don’t need to be a Canadian citizen.p. 15alberta.ca ↗
Under 18? A parent or legal guardian must come with you to the registry office, show proof of guardianship and sign a consent form. Their signature isn’t needed if you can prove you’re married or self-supporting.p. 16
Good to know: until you turn 18, your parent or guardian can take their consent back in writing, and your licence is then suspended.p. 16
Study the Driver’s Guide
On alberta.ca, step 1 is to study the Driver’s Guide. The knowledge test questions are taken from it, and they ask about safe driving practices, driving laws and road signs.p. 11alberta.ca ↗
A study plan, chapter by chapter, with the numbers worth memorising: How to study for the Alberta learner’s test. To see where you stand, try the 20 practice questions or the road signs test; neither needs an account.
Gather your documents
For a first licence, the registry agent asks for documents that prove:alberta.ca ↗
- who you arealberta.ca ↗
- that you live in Albertaalberta.ca ↗
- that you’re lawfully entitled to be in, or to remain in, Canadaalberta.ca ↗
| What it proves | Examples |
|---|---|
| Who you are (photo ID) | A Canadian passport (it may have expired less than one year ago), or a valid Permanent Resident Card |
| That you live in Alberta | A utility bill, bank or credit card statement, lease, mortgage document, or a signed and dated letter from your Alberta employer, with your full name and address, dated within the last 90 days |
| That you’re a Canadian citizen | Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport, or a Canadian citizenship certificate or e-certificate |
| That you may be in Canada (not a citizen) | Permanent Resident Card, Secure Certificate of Indian Status, a Refugee Protection Claimant Document, or a Government of Canada document, permit or visa giving you resident status for more than the next 90 days |
Not accepted as ID: debit or credit cards, Social Insurance Number cards, interim or temporary driver’s licences, and business or membership cards.alberta.ca ↗
Documents that aren’t in English need a written translation from an approved translator. If your ID was lost or stolen, or you don’t have enough of it, a registry agent can still help: you may be asked questions only you would know.alberta.ca ↗
Can’t prove yet that you may be in Canada? You may be able to get a one-time 60-day grace period: ask a registry agent in person and pay the fee. You get an interim receipt instead of a card, and you must come back within the 60 days with an accepted document.alberta.ca ↗
At the registry: the vision screening and the knowledge test
Driver licensing in Alberta is done at registry agent offices, and most of them offer the knowledge test. You pay a fee for each test you take.p. 15p. 11
The registry agent checks your vision. Wear or bring your glasses or contact lenses if you use them. If you don’t meet the vision standard, you’re referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist to have a Vision Referral form completed.p. 12alberta.ca ↗
The knowledge test:p. 11
- has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you need 25 correct to passalberta.ca ↗
- is done on a computerp. 11
- is available in 25 languages, including English, French, Punjabi, Arabic, Tagalog and Ukrainianp. 11
- can be taken only once per day, so if you need another try, it’s on another dayp. 11
What the test covers, how it works and what to do after you pass: The Alberta learner’s test (Class 7 knowledge test).
Get your licence card
Once you pass both the knowledge test and the vision test, you can buy your Class 7 learner’s licence card.alberta.ca ↗
You get a temporary licence that’s valid for 30 days or until your card comes in the mail. The card should arrive within 21 business days; when it does, destroy the temporary licence.alberta.ca ↗
No card after 21 days? Call the number on the back of your temporary licence. Report a missing card to a registry agent within 60 days of applying, or you may have to pay for a replacement. The card won’t be delivered to an address with mail forwarding.alberta.ca ↗alberta.ca ↗
Keep your licence with you whenever you drive. A peace officer can ask to see it, along with the vehicle’s insurance and registration.p. 15
After that: drive as a learner, then take the road test
As a learner:p. 10
After holding your learner’s licence for at least one year, and once you’re 16 or older, you can take the Class 5 road test. Passing it moves you to Stage Two, the Class 5-GDL probationary licence.p. 10
Every learner rule explained: Class 7 learner’s licence rules in Alberta. The stage after it: Class 5-GDL, your probationary licence. Moving here with a licence from elsewhere? Start with Moving to Alberta: exchanging your driver’s licence.