3.15.04 Operator Reclassification
Policy
ATTENTION:
Please refer to COVID-19 Emergency Interim Policies which provides details for temporary exceptions to this policy.
An operator reclassification service is used to change the licence class of a driver’s licence.
Clients in the Graduated Driver's Licence (GDL) Program cannot upgrade to a Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 driver’s licence. For details see 3.20.02 Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) Program.
Note:
Clients applying for an operator reclassification service have the option of renewing their driver's licence extending their expiry date to the maximum allowable term. Client must meet all licensing requirements; see 3.15.03 Operator Renewal.
Licensing Requirements
A client must:
- Provide acceptable identification; see 2.05.02 Acceptable Identification/Enrolment.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- When the client is less than 18 years of age, consent for a minor or proof of self-sufficiency or proof of marriage is required; see 2.00.02 Minor – Consent/Self Sufficiency.
- Meet all licence class requirements for the class of driver’s licence being applied for; see 3.00.01 Driver Licence Classifications.
- Pass a knowledge and/or road test. To determine which test(s) are required for each licence class; see 3.00.01 Driver Licence Classifications.
- A client may complete a Class 1 and/or Class 6 knowledge and road test in Northwest Territories (NT) and use these test results to reclass their licence to the applicable class. The client must provide proof of successful test completion (a Driver Examination Results Form issued by NT) and meet all other requirements for the class of driver’s licence being applied for.
- 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.
Additional Requirements
In addition to the licensing requirements, the client may have to provide one or more of the following documents based on the requirements of the desired driver’s licence class. See QR 3.5 Licence Re-class Requirements (pdf) and 3.00 Driver Licence Classifications for details.
- A medical report and/or vision referral; see 3.05.05 Medicals / Visions.
- A Notice of Air Brake Completion form (DPLS0005).
- The ‘Q’ Airbrake Endorsement must be added to the licence.
- An Application for Farm-Restricted Class 1 Licence (DPLS13510).
A registry agent must:
- Complete a CCMTA Interprovincial Record Exchange (IRE) search when a client is reclassing from an Alberta ID card to a driver’s licence; see 3.10.20 Interprovincial Record Exchange Searches & Close Outs for Driver’s Licences (CCMTA IRE).
- View the client's most recent image on MOVES to verify the identity of the client.
- If the client's images cannot be viewed, the operator service cannot be processed.
- Enter the applicable supporting documents into MOVES for the class of licence the client is reclassing to.
- When a client presents a valid “Driver Examination Results Form” for a Class 1 or Class 6 knowledge and/or road test from NT, a registry agent must:
- Make a copy of the results form and give the original back to the client.
- Enter “waived” in the knowledge and/or road test permit field on MOVES.
- Enter the copy of the NT test results in the supp-doc field.
- When a client presents a valid “Driver Examination Results Form” for a Class 1 or Class 6 knowledge and/or road test from NT, a registry agent must:
- Capture a photo of the client.
- When the client's driver's licence contains an acceptable photo image, a new photo is not required, however it is best practice to capture a new image if the client agrees; 3.05.02 Driver Licence / Identification Card Photo and Signature Requirement.
- Capture the client’s signature.
- Issue an interim licence or identification card receipt.
- Not reclass the client to a Class 1 or add the 'Q' Airbrake Endorsement until the client presents the Notice of Air Brake Program Completion form (DPLS0005).
Reclassing an Alberta ID Card to an Alberta Driver’s Licence
Prior to issuing an Alberta driver's licence a registry agent must complete two across Canada CCMTA IRE (explosive-AC) searches; see 3.10.20 Interprovincial Record Exchange Searches & Close Outs for Driver’s Licences (CCMTA IRE).
Registry agents must also review the client’s driving time to determine if the client should be in the GDL Program or not. If a client has held an ID card, this causes a break in the driving time, and MOVES may incorrectly assess the client as GDL. If the MOVES record shows that the client held an ID card and the client is now reclassing to a driver’s licence, prior to processing the reclass service, a registry agent must:
- Asses the client’s Date First Licenced display.
- If the client has more than 730 driving days, or 547 driving days and a Condition Code U (reduced term flag set to “Y”), and there is no suspension(s) or conviction(s) of interest, contact Registries Assurance who will update the record accordingly.
- If the client applied for GDL Exemption, the client must pass the Class 5 road test and be ready to reclass their licence when the registry agent calls Registries Assurance.
Or
- If the client holds an ID card and is now wishing to exchange a reciprocal driver’s licence, contact Registries Assurance for a DFL update and to assess whether the client should be in the GDL program.
Expiry Term
A client reclassifying their current driver’s licence from a Class 3 or 5 to a Class 1, 2 or 4 may be required to reduce or extend their driver’s licence expiry date depending on the client’s age and/or medical requirements. See 3.05.03 Expiry Terms.
To extend an expiry date at the same time as reclassing, the service is processed as an Operator’s Renewal Service. See 3.15.03 Operator Renewal.
Reclassing to a Lower Class of Licence
If a client does not wish to renew their current Class 1, 2 or 4 licence or has a medical condition that prevents them from holding this class of licence, the licence must be reclassed to the next allowable class as follows:
| Current Class | Next Allowable Class |
| 1 * | 3 or 5 |
| 1* 6 | 3 6 or 5 6 |
| 2 | 3 or 5 |
| 2 6 | 3 6 or 5 6 |
| 4 | 5 |
| 3 4 | 3 or 5 |
| 4 6 | 5 6 |
| 3 4 6 | 3 6 or 5 6 |
* When reclassing from a Class 1 driver’s licence, a registry agent must ensure Condition Code Q “Airbrake Endorsement” is added to the driver’s licence, if it is not already on the operator file.
Fees
For operator reclassification fees; see the Registry Agent Product Catalogue (pdf).
No Charge
The following regulation codes are used to issue a no charge reclassification service:
- Regulation 00-fee to override the government fee.
and - Regulation no-comp to override the registry agent’s service charge.
A no charge reclassification service is issued when:
- Correcting a clerical error.
- An alert has been placed on the client’s file, or the client presents a letter sent by DFM requesting the reclassification
- A client is required to reclass their driver’s licence due to a Notice to Report.
The reason for the no charge reclassification service must be indicated on the driver's licence / identification card application.
For reimbursement information; see 1.10.17 Registry Agent Service Fee Reimbursement.
Imaging
The signed application form and all supporting documents must be for imaging; see the appropriate sub-section in 1.15 Imaging.
Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Apr 01, 2025
