3.10.16 Exempt From Driver Licensing

Policy

The following clients are exempt from obtaining an Alberta Driver’s Licence:

  • Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
  • Non-resident Students
  • Tourists and Visitors

Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)

TFWs brought into Alberta under SAWP (for approximately eight months or less during the same calendar year to meet labour needs during peak agricultural periods) are not required to obtain an Alberta driver's licence or an Identification (ID) card.

These TFW are required to carry their original Work Permit, valid home jurisdiction driver's licence and an International Driver's Permit to operate the same type or class of motor vehicle in Alberta as authorized by their home jurisdiction; see 3.10.18 International Driver's Permit.

Non-resident Students

A non-resident student is a person who:

  •  Is ordinarily a resident of another province, state or country and has moved to Alberta to attend an educational institution on a full-time basis.
    or
  • Is working in Alberta as part of a co-op program of study or internship program.

A non-resident student is exempt from the requirements to obtain an Alberta operator’s licence when they:

  • Hold a valid operator’s licence from their home jurisdiction.
    • A student may use their operator’s licence to operate the same type or class of motor vehicle as authorized by their home jurisdiction.

Tourists and Visitors

Tourists or visitors to Alberta who hold a valid operator’s licence from another country are permitted to:

  • Operate the same type or class of motor vehicle in Alberta as authorized by their home jurisdiction for a period of 12 months.
    • Clients with licences from another country should be advised that an International Driver’s Licence/Permit or an official translation of their out of country licence is not required but is strongly recommended; see 3.10.18 International Driver’s Licence/Permit.

Note:
An IDP can only be obtained from the client's home jurisdiction.


Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Dec 13, 2021