3.10.14 Reciprocal Agreement Jurisdictions

Policy

Clients originating from a jurisdiction that has signed a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement who are lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada and have now established residency in Alberta may exchange their valid driver's licence for an Alberta driver's licence.

Note:
When a client is surrendering an expired reciprocal licence, the client must complete a vision screening, knowledge and road test; see 3.15.01 Operator First and 3.05.04 Date First Licenced (DFL).
In addition to the United States, the following jurisdictions have Reciprocal Licensing Agreements with Alberta:

Learner’s Licence

Learner’s licences issued from jurisdictions that have signed a Reciprocal Licensing Agreement with Alberta must not be exchanged for an Alberta Class 7.  Clients:

Document Translation

All licensing documents presented (including official written confirmations from the jurisdiction's licensing authority detailing the content of the driver's licence) must be:

  • In English.
    or
  • Accompanied by a written English translation.

Translation services are provided at the expense of the client. For a list of approved document translators, see QR 3.10 - Approved Translators (pdf).

Note:
When accepting a translated document, the registry agent must ensure that the document is an original and contains the following:
  • The name, contact information and signature of the individual that completed the translation.
    and
  • The name of the organization or the professional designation that the individual is affiliated with.

Condition/Restriction Codes

When the out of jurisdiction driver's licence has a condition/restriction code, an equivalent Alberta condition/restriction code must be placed on the Alberta driver's licence; see 3.00.02 Condition Codes/Endorsements.

Medicals

The following clients must submit a medical report before exchanging their out of province licence:

  • Clients with a medical condition or physical disability that may affect their ability to drive.
  • Clients who are 75 years of age or older.

Licensing Requirements

A client must:

  • Provide acceptable identification; see 2.05.02 Acceptable Identification/Enrolment.
  • Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Meet all licence class requirements for the class of driver's licence being applied for; see 3.00.01 Driver Licence Classifications.
  • Pass a vision screening and disclose all medical conditions/physical disabilities that may affect their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; see 3.05.05 Medicals/Visions.
  • Provide proof of date first licenced or length of time licenced to determine if they should be placed in the GDL Program; see 3.20.02 Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) Program and 3.05.04 Date First Licenced (DFL).
  • Surrender their valid reciprocal licence and International Driver’s Permit (IDP) if applicable.
    • When a client has lost their valid out of jurisdiction reciprocal licence, an official written confirmation or a driver’s abstract (not dated more than 90 days) from the jurisdiction's licensing authority detailing the content of the driver’s licence may be accepted in place of the lost driver’s licence.
      • The written confirmation must be translated into English.

To issue an Alberta driver's licence; see 3.15.02 Out of Province Operator First.

A registry agent must:

  • Send a copy of the out of jurisdiction reciprocal licence (front and back) and support documents, if applicable, to Motor Vehicles immediately after completing the service.
  • Retain the surrendered reciprocal agreement jurisdiction driver's licence and International Driver’s Permit (IDP), if applicable, in the office for one week and then forward to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for authentication.
  • Record details on the MOVES application form when a client's driver's licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed.
    • An official written confirmation letter from the jurisdiction's licensing authority detailing the content of the driver's licence must be submitted in lieu of the lost, stolen or destroyed driver's licence.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the licensing requirements the client may also have to provide one or more of the following documents:

  • A medical report and/or vision referral; see 3.05.05 Medicals/Visions.
  • A completed knowledge and/or road test permit when:
    • Special restrictions are indicated on their out of jurisdiction driver's licence such as: area, speed or hours of operation.
    • Clients presenting an Australian, Isle of Man, Northern Ireland or Swiss Class 6 driver's licence are exempt from testing for an Alberta Class 6 driver's licence.

Australia

Alberta Class 6

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Australian Class R (rider) driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Australian Class C (Car), Type LR (Light Rigid), MR (Medium Rigid), HR (Heavy Rigid), HC (Heavy Combination) and MC (Multi Combination) driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.
Note:
  • Type L is a learner’s licence and must not be exchanged for an Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence.
  • Type P1 or P2 are provisional or probationary licences and can be exchanged for an Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence.
  • Type R-E is a motorcycle learner’s licence, and must not be exchanged for an Alberta Class 6 driver’s licence.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Australian driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Austria

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Austrian Class B driver's licence. When the Austrian driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the Austrian driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver’s Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Austrian driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Belgium

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Belgian Class B driver's licence. When the Belgium driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the Belgian driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Note:
A Belgian driver's licence that states “Permis De Conduire Provisoire Catégorie B Validité limitée” (Provisional Driving Permit, Category B, Limited Validity) is a learners driver’s licence and must not be exchanged for an Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Belgian driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Denmark (Kingdom of Denmark)

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Denmark Class B, C1, C, D1, D, BE, C1E, CE, D1E, or DE driver's licence. When the Denmark driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the Denmark driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Must provide proof of at least 24 months of driving experience.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Denmark driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

France

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender a valid Class B driver's licence issued by France or issued by the Republique of Francaise.  When the French driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the French driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered French driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Germany (Deutschland)

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid German Klasse 2 or 3 driver's licence or their valid German Class B, BE, C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E driver's licence.  When the German driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the German driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Note:
To determine the date first licenced, agents should use the date(s) under column 10. German licences do not expire.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered German driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) and / or International Driver's Licence / Permit must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication. 

Isle of Man

Alberta Class 6

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Isle of Man Class A or A1 driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Isle of Man Class B, C, C1, D, D1, B+E, C+E, C1+E, D+E, D1+E driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Isle of Man driver's licence and IDP, if applicable, must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication. 

Japan

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Japanese driver's licence. When the Japanese driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the Japanese driver's licence provided by the Consulate General of Japan.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Japanese driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Netherlands

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Netherland category B Driver’s Licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Netherlands driver’s licence and IDP, if applicable, must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland photocard (4c) displays DVLNI (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Northern Ireland) or DVA (Driver and Vehicle Agency) and the driver's licence number (consisting only of numbers) and is only valid when accompanied by the paper counterpart driver's licence.

Note:
Provisional "L" Northern Ireland licence is a learner's licence; the licence must not be exchanged for an Alberta Class 7 or 5 driver's licence.

Alberta Class 6

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender all parts of their valid Northern Ireland Class A or A1 driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender all parts of their valid Northern Ireland Class B, B1, C, C1, D, D1, B+E, C+E, C1+E, D+E, D1+E driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Northern Ireland driver's licence, the paper counterpart driver's licence and IDP, if applicable, must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Republic of Ireland

Alberta Class 6

A client:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
    • The licence must not be exchanged if the client is under 18 years of age.
  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Republic of Ireland Class A driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
    • The licence must not be exchanged if the client is under 18 years of age.
  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Republic of Ireland Class B driver's licence.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Republic of Ireland driver's licence and IDP, if applicable, must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Republic of Korea

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Korean Class 2 Ordinary or Korean Class 1 driver's licence. When the Korean driver's licence does not contain an English translation on the back, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the Korean driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English. 
      or
    • An original copy of the Certificate of Driver's Licence issued by the Republic of Korea.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Korean driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Switzerland

Alberta Class 6

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Swiss Class A or A1 driver's licence.  When the Swiss driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following: 
    • A translation of the contents of the Swiss driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Swiss Class B, C, C1, D or D1 driver's licence.  When the Swiss driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:  
    • A translation of the contents of the Swiss driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver's Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Condition Codes

A registry agent must:

  • Contact Registries Assurance for assistance when the following condition codes appear on a Swiss driver's licence:
    • 03 – Prosthesis/Orthosis of the limbs.
    • 04 – Medical condition.
    • 05 – Limited Use – driving subject to restrictions for medical reasons.
  • Apply the applicable Alberta equivalent when the following condition codes appear on a Swiss driver's licence:
    • 01 – Vision.
    • 40 – Adequate Hand Controls. 

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Swiss driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Taiwan (Republic of China)

Note: The People's Republic of China (China) does not have a reciprocal agreement with Alberta.
Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid Taiwanese Category B, C, D or E driver's licence. When the Taiwanese driver's licence is not in English, the client must also present one of the following:
    • A translation of the contents of the Taiwanese driver's licence.
      or
    • A valid International Driver’s Permit (IDP) in English.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered Taiwanese driver's licence and IDP, where applicable, and photocopies of the translated document(s) must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

DFL Calculation

Taiwan driver's licences have a different format for dates as they go by the Minguo Calendar instead of the Gregorian Calendar.
see:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minguo_calendar

To calculate the issue date, add 1911 to the first part of the issue date. For Example:

Clients licence shows an issue date of 100-07-19. This would translate into 2011/07/19 as 1911+100=2011.

United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain

The reciprocal licensing agreement signed with the United Kingdom (UK) of Great Britain includes England, Scotland and Wales.

UK photocard (4c) displays DVLA - Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and the licence number begins with letters followed by numbers. 

Note:
Provisional "L" UK licence is a learner's licence; the licence must not be exchanged for an Alberta Class 7 or 5 driver's licence.

Alberta Class 5

A client:

  • Must provide all licensing requirements and, if applicable, additional requirements as outlined in this policy.
  • Must surrender their valid UK Class B licence (or Group A driver's licence if issued before April 1, 1990).
    • Effective July 1998, the UK driver's licence became a two part document.  If the licence was issued after July 1998, both parts must be surrendered. Effective June 8, 2015, holders of the two part licence were advised to destroy the paper counterpart portion of the licence; therefore, it can no longer be surrendered.
    • UK driver's licences issued prior to January 1, 1976 cannot be exchanged as these driver's licences were valid for a three year period only, have since expired and cannot be renewed.
  • Is not required to complete a knowledge and road test.

Exchange Documents

The surrendered UK driver's licence and IDP, if applicable, must be retained in the office for a one week period and then forwarded to SIU for authentication.

Imaging

Photocopies of the translation document(s) and all supporting documents must be sent for imaging; see the appropriate sub-section in 1.15 Imaging.


Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Aug 29, 2025