December 2007
Different classes of licences lead to different job opportunities. Licences in Alberta go from Class 7 to Class 1. The minimum learning or licencing age in Alberta is 18 for all classes except for Classes 5, 6 and 7.
Other provinces or jurisdictions may have different class names or requirements. Visit provincial websites for more information. For example, in Ontario, Class A is the equivalent to Class 1 in Alberta.
Exchanging your licence for an Alberta one
A valid licence from another Canadian jurisdiction can be exchanged for an equivalent class Alberta licence (Classes 1 through 7). A valid licence from the U.S., Germany, Austria, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Belgium, U.K., or Japan can be exchanged for an equivalent Class 5, 6 or 7. For all other countries outside of Canada, you must undergo complete testing for all classes of licence and must provide applicable medical and vision screening as required.
Once you have moved to Alberta, you have three months in which to change your driver’s licence to an Alberta licence.
Get more information about obtaining a driver's license at www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Drivers_MotorVehicles.cfm
What class do you need?
Class 1: Semi-trailer trucks and any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles except motorcycles.
Class 2: Any bus and any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles that the holder of a Class 3, 4 and 5 operator’s licence may operate.
Class 3: A single motor vehicle with three or more axles, a motor vehicle with three or more axles towing a trailer with one or more axles, if the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes, Class 2- and 4-type vehicles without passengers, and a Class 5-type vehicle.
No Class 3 operator shall operate a vehicle that has a seating capacity of more than 15, while the vehicle is transporting any passengers or transport passengers for hire.
Class 4: Taxi, ambulance or bus (including school) where the seating capacity is not over 24, and Class 5-type vehicles.
Class 5: Two-axle single motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle, two-axle vehicle towing a trailer without airbrakes, a recreation vehicle or any combination of a recreation vehicle and a trailer (two-axle maximum, no airbrakes), and a moped. (Minimum learning age is 14 and licencing age is 16.)
Class 6: Motorcycle or moped (minimum age is 16).
Class 7: A moped (minimum age is 14).
