3.00.01 Driver Licence Classifications

Policy

A client must meet all licensing requirements for the class of driver’s licence being applied for.  For licence class learning requirements see QR 3.7 Licence Class Learning Requirements (pdf).

Class 1

A Class 1 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • All motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles except motorcycles, unless a condition code (such as Condition Code N) states otherwise; see 3.00.02 Condition Codes / Endorsements.
  • Class 6 type vehicles as a learner only.

Class 1 Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Hold at minimum a valid (non-GDL) Class 5 driver’s licence. 
  • Pass a Class 1 knowledge test.
  • Pass a vision screening.
  • Successfully complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.
    • A client who completes both the Entry and Core Learning Phases of the Pathway, or the Experience and Equivalency Program, will be issued a provincial restricted Class 1 licence that only allows them to operate commercial motor vehicles in Alberta.
    • A client who completes the Competence Building phase of the pathway will be eligible to have the provincial restriction removed from their licence, allowing the driver to operate commercial motor vehicles interprovincially.
    • A client who is an eligible farmer can obtain a farm-restricted Class 1 licence without the requirement to complete training in the Class 1 learning pathway. 
  • Submit a satisfactory medical.
  • Pass an Air Brake Knowledge Test.
    • Client must provide their Notice of Air Brake Program Completion form (DPLS0005) to be eligible to take the Air Brake Knowledge Test.
  • Pass a Class 1 road test.

Learning

 An instructor must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid Class 1 driver’s licence.

Road Test Vehicle

A tractor-trailer combination with three or more axles equipped with airbrakes.

The vehicle may have automatic or manual transmission; however, if the vehicle has automatic transmission, a condition code R (Class 1 Restricted to Automatic Transmission) will be added to the driver’s licence; see QR 3.3 Condition Codes - Endorsements (pdf).

Class 2

A Class 2 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • All buses.
  • All motor vehicles allowed in Class 3, 4 and 5.
  • Class 1 and 6 type vehicles as a learner only.

Class 2 Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Hold at minimum a valid (non-GDL) Class 5 driver’s licence.
  • Pass a Class 2 knowledge test.
  • Pass a vision screening.
  • Submit a satisfactory medical.
  • Pass a Class 2 road test.

Learning

  • An instructor must be at least 18 years of age and hold a valid Class 1 or 2 driver’s licence.
  • A client learning to operate a Class 2 vehicle cannot carry any passengers except an instructor.

Road Test Vehicle

A bus with a seating capacity exceeding 24 passengers excluding the driver. If the vehicle provided is equipped with airbrakes, the client must have either an airbrake endorsement on their driver’s licence or present an Air Brake Endorsement Certificate from an approved agency.
 

Class 3

A Class 3 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • All motor vehicles allowed in Class 5.
  • A single motor vehicle with three or more axles.
  • A single motor vehicle with three or more axles, towing a trailer with one or more axles when the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes.
  • All motor vehicles allowed in Class 1, 2 and 6 as a learner only.

A client with a Class 3 driver’s licence cannot operate a motor vehicle:

  • That has a seating capacity of more than 15.
  • That transports passengers for hire.

Class 3 Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Hold at minimum a valid (non-GDL) Class 5 driver’s licence.
  • Pass a Class 3 knowledge test.
  • Pass a vision screening.
  • Pass a Class 3 road test.

Learning

 An instructor must be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid Class 1, 2 or 3 driver’s licence.

Road Test Vehicle

A single motor vehicle having three or more axles. If the vehicle provided is equipped with airbrakes, the client must have either an airbrake endorsement on their driver’s licence or present an Air Brake Endorsement Certificate from an approved agency.

Class 4

A Class 4 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • A taxi.
  • An ambulance.
  • A bus (including school or kindergarten buses) where the seating capacity is not over 24, excluding the driver.
  • All motor vehicles allowed in Class 5.
  • All motor vehicles allowed in Class 1, 2, 3 and 6 as a learner only.

Class 4 Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Hold at minimum a valid (non-GDL) Class 5 driver’s licence.
  • Pass a Class 4 knowledge test.
  • Pass a vision screening.
  • Submit a satisfactory medical.

Learning

  • An instructor must be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 driver’s licence.
  • A client learning to operate a Class 4 vehicle cannot carry any passengers except the instructor.

Class 5 Graduated Driver Licence (GDL)

A Class 5 GDL driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • Any two axle single motor vehicle.
  • A recreational vehicle with not more than three axles.
  • A two axle motor vehicle or a two axle recreation vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles when the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes.
  • A three axle recreation vehicle and a trailer when the trailer has not more than 2 axles and is not equipped with air brakes.
  • A Class 6 type vehicle as a learner only.
  • A moped.

A client with a Class 5 GDL driver’s licence:

  • Is not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts.
  • Cannot operate a motor vehicle that has a seating capacity of more than 15.
  • Cannot operate a motor vehicle that transports passengers for hire.

Class 5 GDL Requirements

A client must:

Learning

An instructor must be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or (non-GDL) 5 driver’s licence.

Road Test Vehicle

Any two axle motor vehicle except a motorcycle.

Class 5 (Fully Licenced)

A Class 5 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • Any two axle single motor vehicle.
  • A recreational vehicle with not more than three axles.
  • A two axle motor vehicle or a two axle recreation vehicle towing a trailer with one or more axles when the trailer is not equipped with airbrakes.
  • A three axle recreation vehicle and a trailer when the trailer has not more than two axles and is not equipped with air brakes.
  • A two axle Class 2 or 4 type vehicle without passengers.
  • A Class 6 type vehicle as a learner only.
  • Vehicles from a Class 1, 2, 3 and 4 as a learner only, provided the client is 18 years of age or older.
  • A moped.

A client with a Class 5 driver’s licence cannot operate a motor vehicle:

  • That has a seating capacity of more than 15.
  • That transports passengers for hire.
  • A motor vehicle equipped with air brakes, unless the client has an Air Brake Endorsement. The exception is a two axle air brake equipped vehicle registered in Alberta as a farm vehicle.

Class 5 Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Spend a minimum of 24 months as a GDL probationary driver, or 18 months with the completion of an approved Driver’s Training Course; see 3.20.02 Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) Program.
  • Be suspension, traffic contravention, and cancellation free for the last year of their probationary stage.
  • Drivers from non-reciprocal countries with a valid drivers licence must have at least two years 24 months driving experience and complete a knowledge test, vision screening, and road test to obtain a non-GDL licence.

Learning

An instructor must be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or (non-GDL) 5 driver’s licence.

Road Test Vehicle

Any two axle motor vehicle except a motorcycle.

Class 6 Graduated Driver Licence (GDL)

A Class 6 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • A motorcycle.
  • A moped.
  • Class 5 GDL type vehicles as a learner only.
  • When unsure of a motorcycle category; see QR 4.4 Motorcycle Classes (pdf).

Class 6 GDL Requirements

A client must:

Learning
The instructor must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid (non-GDL) Class 6.
  • Sit behind the learner on the motorcycle or follow the learner with another motorcycle or vehicle.

Road Test Vehicle

A two-wheeled motorcycle (without a sidecar).

The test may be completed on a trike style motorcycle (three wheeled motorcycle); however, if the motorcycle has three wheels, a condition code V (Class 6 Restricted to Three Wheeled Motorcycles) will be added to the driver’s licence; see QR 3.3 Condition Codes - Endorsements (pdf). 

Class 6 (Fully Licenced)

A Class 6 driver’s licence permits the operation of:

  • A motorcycle.
  • A moped.
  • Class 5 GDL type vehicles as a learner only.
  • When unsure of a motorcycle category; see QR 4.4 Motorcycle Classes (pdf).

Class 6 Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Spend a minimum of 24 months as a GDL probationary driver, or 18 months with the completion of an approved Driver’s Training Course; see 3.20.02 Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) Program.
  • Be suspension, traffic contravention and cancellation free for the last year of the probationary stage.

Learning

 The instructor must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid (non-GDL) Class 6.
  • Sit behind the learner on the motorcycle or follow the learner with another motorcycle or vehicle. 

Road Test Vehicle

A two-wheeled motorcycle (without a sidecar).

The test may be completed on a trike style motorcycle (three wheeled motorcycle); however, if the motorcycle has three wheels, a condition code V (Class 6 Restricted to Three Wheeled Motorcycles) will be added to the driver’s licence; see QR 3.3 Condition Codes - Endorsements (pdf). 

Class 7 GDL Learner

A Class 7 licence permits the operation of:

  • A moped.
  • Class 5 type vehicles as a learner only.
  • Class 6 type vehicles as a learner only, provided the driver is at least 16 years of age.

Class 7 Requirements

A client must:

  • Be 14 years of age or older.
  • Pass a Class 7 knowledge test.
  • Pass a vision screening.

Learning

See the appropriate class of licence you are learning.

An instructor must be at least 18 years of age or older and hold a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4 or (non-GDL) 5 driver’s licence as is appropriate for the class being learned.

Acceptable Class Combinations

A client may hold one or more licence classes. The acceptable multiple licence classes are as follows:

  • 1 6
  • 2 6
  • 3 4
  • 3 6
  • 3 4 6
  • 4 6
  • 5 6
     

Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Apr 01, 2025