Policy

Knowledge tests must be:

• Conducted for all drivers’ licence classifications with the exception of Class 5.
  • A client may only complete one knowledge test per day for each driver’s licence class.
  • Audio and oral knowledge tests are available for clients requiring this service; see 3.25.02 Audio, Oral & Knowledge Tests.
    • English audio knowledge tests are only available for Class 7.
• Conducted for the Air Brake 'Q' Endorsement.
• Conducted for the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test.  
• Completed within a controlled and monitored environment in the registry agent’s office.
• Completed using the DKTS.

Note:
The use of any reference material (e.g. Driver's Guide, notes, electronic devices that provide access to the internet such as cellular/smart phone, handheld computer, electronic dictionary, google glasses, watches, etc.) is prohibited in the testing area. Clients accessing any of these items during a test or communicating with anyone other than registry agent personnel or with a TIN approved translator, will automatically fail and receive a 30 day suspension of test writing privileges.

The following languages are available for the Class 7 knowledge test:

• Amharic
• Arabic 
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Cree
• Dutch
• English
• Farsi
• French
• German
• Hindi 
• Italian
• Korean
• Oromo
• Polish
• Portuguese
• Punjabi 
• Russian
• Somali
• Spanish 
• Tagalog (Philippines)
• Thai
• Ukrainian
• Urdu
• Vietnamese

A client must pass the appropriate knowledge test before a road test can be taken for the desired driver’s licence class; see QR 3.5 Licence Reclass Requirements (pdf) and 3.00.01 Driver Licence Classifications.

Note:
If a client is required to provide a driver’s medical for the class of licence they are applying for, the medical is not required prior to the completion of the knowledge test.

Northwest Territories (NT) Reciprocal Class 1, Class 6 and Air Brake Knowledge Testing

Alberta has signed into an agreement with Northwest Territories to permit residents from either jurisdiction to complete Class 1 or Class 6 knowledge testing in the other jurisdiction.

Paper Conversion Dictionary

• A client who has difficulty with the English language may use a paper language conversion dictionary to complete a Class 3, 6 and 7 knowledge test.
  • A conversion dictionary is not permitted for a Class 1, 2, 4 or Air Brake knowledge tests.
• A registry agent must always inspect the dictionary to ensure that the book does not contain additional material that would help the client pass the test.
• Electronic conversion dictionaries/programs are not permitted when completing a knowledge test.

Note:
Clients with difficulty reading and/or comprehension of the English language may use an English audio test; see 3.25.02 Audio, Oral & Translated Knowledge Tests.

Knowledge Test Permit

A knowledge test permit:

• Must be purchased by the client requiring the examination.
  • Knowledge test permits are not transferable and cannot be purchased by any individual or organization other than the client.
• Is valid until used.
  • Once validated as passed, the permit is only valid for one year from that date.
    • The client must use the permit within the one year time frame to apply for either an operator first or operator reclassification service.

Lost Knowledge Test Permits

When a client has lost their knowledge test permit after successfully passing the test, a registry agent must:

• Verify the client’s identity; see 2.05.02 Acceptable Identification/Enrolment.
• Verify the details of the completed test on DKTS. 
  • Confirm the client passed within the last 12 months.
• Print the test results from the DKTS. Enter "waived" in the KNOW PMT requirement field on MOVES.
• Support the printed DKTS results to the applicable driver’s licence service.
• Reprocess the required vision screening for the applicable licence class on the Driver’s Licence Application.

Note:
If a client has lost their knowledge test permit prior to completing a road test, as part of the road test eligibility check, a registry agent would verify on DKTS that the client has passed the knowledge test within the last 12 months prior to the road test; however, the DKTS results must not be printed off and provided to the client. The DKTS results are only printed at the time of the applicable driver’s licence service for the purpose of using as a support document.

Testing Requirements

A client must:

• Provide acceptable identification; see 2.05.02 Acceptable Identification/Enrolment.
• Have a valid Alberta driver’s licence (not applicable for clients taking a class 7 knowledge test).
  • Non-Albertan Air Brake Program participants are exempt and must be referred to Transportation and Economic Corridors. 
  • If the client is a NT resident requesting a Class 1. Class 6, or Air brake knowledge test, they must present a valid NT driver’s licence.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
  • Consent is not required when a minor is completing a knowledge test, however, a learner/driver’s licence must not be issued until consent is provided by the parent/guardian. It is recommended that a minor obtain consent from their parent/guardian prior to completing any knowledge testing.
• Complete training in the Class 1 Learning Pathway and have the appropriate milestone added on their MOVES file to take a Class 1 knowledge test; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • If the client is applying for a Farm-Restricted Class 1 driver’s licence, the client is not required to complete training in the Class 1 Learning Pathway or have the milestone on their MOVES file. 
  • If a client is a NT resident requesting a Class 1 knowledge test, they must either have the ENTRY, CORE or EEPCORE training milestone on their Alberta file indicating Class 1 Learning Pathway was completed in Alberta, or present proof of Entry Level Training completion in NT. If training was completed in NT, a client must present the original Driver Education Course Completion certificate from NT. 
• Present a Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) to write the Air Brake Knowledge Test.
  • The Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) must be the original document (when held up to a light a chain-link watermark will be visible) and have the portion above 'Registry Agent Section' completely filled out.
    • Suspended drivers will not be permitted to participate in the Air Brake Program.
    • GDL drivers are permitted to participate in the Air Brake Program.

Air Brake Knowledge Test - MOVES

A registry agent must:

• Process the request for the Air Brake Knowledge Test Permit through Miscellaneous Documents on MOVES.
  • Select #2 ARBRKKT - Air Brake Knowledge Test Permit.  This appears on the screen 'List of Forms Available for Distribution'.
  • Print the Transaction Log receipt for use when generating the knowledge test through the DKTS.
    • The MOVES transaction line item associated with the Air Brake Knowledge Test Permit must be entered in the DKTS work station to initiate the knowledge test.

SFC Compliance Knowledge Test - MOVES

A registry agent must:

• Process the request for the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test Permit through Miscellaneous Documents on MOVES under the individual’s MVID.
  • Select SFCKTST– SFC Compliance Knowledge Test Permit. This appears on the screen 'List of Forms Available for Distribution'.
• Print the Transaction Log receipt for use when generating the knowledge test through the DKTS.
  • The MOVES transaction line item associated with the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test Permit must be entered in the DKTS work station to initiate the knowledge test.

Driver Knowledge Testing System (DKTS)

The Driver Knowledge Testing System (DKTS) is an automated knowledge testing system. The Alberta government has authorized the DKTS for the delivery of driver’s knowledge tests as well as the Air Brake Knowledge Test and the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test.

The DKTS must be used for all knowledge tests as well as the Air Brake Knowledge and SFC Compliance Test. A registry agent must:

• Ensure DKTS monitor(s) are located in a controlled and monitored environment.
• Ensure the client has no related reference material in their possession, e.g., Driver's Guide, etc.
• Advise the client that the use/access of any documentation or electronic devices (e.g. cellular/smart phone, cameras, handheld computer, electronic dictionary, etc.) or speaking to anyone other than a registry agent in the testing area is prohibited and deemed as cheating.
• Advise clients that accessing any of these items during a test or communicating with anyone other than registry agent personnel or with a TIN approved translator when completing an oral translated test, will result in an automatic fail and a 30 day suspension of test writing privileges.

Note:
For more information on how to use DKTS, including starting tests, refer to the DKTS Control Station Users Manual.

Exception - DKTS Printed Knowledge Tests

The printing of a knowledge test is only allowed when:

• A client qualifies for a translated knowledge test, see 3.25.02 Audio, Oral & Translated Knowledge Tests.
  • Only English knowledge tests can be printed.
• There is an unreasonable wait for a DKTS work station. 
• A senior (a person who is 65 years of age or older) is unfamiliar with using a computer. The registry agent must record the reason in the comment section on the Knowledge Test Permit.

Note:
The use of printed DKTS paper knowledge tests must be closely monitored.

Air Brake Printed DKTS Knowledge Test

DKTS printed Air Brake Knowledge Tests are not available at a registry agent office:

• Registry agents cannot process paper Air Brake Knowledge Tests in their office.
• Clients requesting a paper test must be referred to TEC, Driver, Carrier and Vehicle Services.
  • Clients must first purchase an Air Brake Knowledge Test Permit from a registry agent.
    • A registry agent must process the request for the Air Brake Knowledge Test Permit through Miscellaneous Documents on MOVES.

Non-Albertan Air Brake Program Participants

Non-Albertan Air Brake Program participants must be referred to TEC, Driver, Carrier and Vehicle Services:

• Driver, Carrier and Vehicle Services
  Room 109, 4999 - 98 Avenue NW
  Edmonton, AB T6B 2X3
  Telephone: (780) 427-8901
  or
• Driver, Carrier and Vehicle Services
  1st Floor, 803 Manning Road NE
  Calgary, AB T2E 7M8
  Telephone: (403) 297-6679

SFC Compliance Printed DKTS Knowledge Test

DKTS printed SFC Compliance Knowledge Tests are not available at a registry agent office. Registry agents cannot process paper SFC Compliance Knowledge Tests in their office.

Completion/Test Results

When the client has completed the test, the registry agent must:

• Enter the client’s answers into the DKTS work station or agent desktop when a DKTS printed knowledge test was used.
• Record the test results on the Test Permit/Results form.
  • Only release the Test Permit/Results form to clients who have passed the knowledge test. Nothing is issued to clients who have failed the knowledge test.
  • The Test Permit/Result form must be validated by the registry agent and is valid for one year from the date the test is passed.
• Advise the client this form is not valid as a driver's licence.
• Destroy the printed DKTS knowledge test(s) the same business day.
• Conduct a vision screening after the client has passed the knowledge test; see 3.05.05 Medicals / Visions.

Completion of the Air Brake Knowledge Test

When a client passes the Air Brake Knowledge Test, a registry agent must:

• Record their P# in the area marked for 'Registry Agent Use', certifying that the client has passed the Air Brake Knowledge Test.
• Return the Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) to the client.
  • The Notice of Air Brake Knowledge Completion Form (DPLS0005) is valid for one year from the date the test is passed.

Note: Client’s whose Air Brake Knowledge Test has expired must contact their authorized air brake organization to obtain a new Notice of Air Brake Completion form and must re-take the knowledge test.

Upon presentation of the completed Notice of Air Brake Completion Form (DPLS0005) a registry agent must add the 'Q' Air Brake Endorsement to the client's file on MOVES. 

When a client fails the Air Brake Knowledge Test, a registry agent must:

• Inform the client that they cannot complete another Air Brake Knowledge Test on the same day but may attempt to rewrite the test the next day.
  • There are no limits to the number of times a client can attempt to rewrite the Air Brake Knowledge Test.
• Return the Notice of Air Brake Program Completion Form (DPLS0005) to the client.

Completion of the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test

When a client passes the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test, a registry agent must provide the client with an SFC Information Package, which outlines the application process and provides contact information for TEC's Driver, Carrier and Vehicle Services.

When a client fails the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test, a registry agent must:

• Inform the client that they cannot complete another SFC Compliance Knowledge Test on the same day but may attempt to rewrite the test the next day.
  • There are no limits to the number of times a client can attempt to rewrite the SFC Compliance Knowledge Test.

Cheating on Tests

Cheating means engaging or attempting to engage in a behavior that involves:

• The use of unauthorized materials (e.g. Driver's Guide, notes, electronic devices such as cellular/smart phone, camera, microphone and earpiece/blue tooth/listening device, handheld computer, electronic dictionary, etc.). “Use” is defined as, but not limited to: touching or holding it, typing on it, looking/glancing at it, or talking into it. 
• Communicating with anyone other than registry agent personnel or with a TIN approved translator when completing an oral translated test.
• Committing acts that may compromise the integrity of the testing process.

Cheating on knowledge tests is monitored by Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC). An investigator from TEC may contact a registry agent and request information or details regarding completed knowledge tests. A registry agent must comply with and provide the investigator with the requested information to assist with the investigation.

It may not always be obvious when a client is cheating or has cheated on their knowledge test. Some signs and behaviors a registry agent can watch for that may indicate a client is cheating or has cheated include:

• Hidden cameras or microphones in hats, glasses, shirt collars, etc.
• Wearing earpieces when the person is not completing a knowledge test that requires headphones.
• Client passes the test in English quickly and easily but is not able to communicate in English with the registry agent personnel without the assistance of a translator.
• Client very recently completed a knowledge test in their primary language (the language a person uses in most situations) and failed, but now completed another test in English and passed in a very short timeframe.
• Client has travelled a significant distance to obtain service when the knowledge test service is available in their home community.

It is important that registry agents report all suspected or confirmed knowledge test cheaters to jeffrey.fry@gov.ab.ca (TEC Investigator).  

When a registry agent has confirmed that a client is cheating or taking pictures during a knowledge test, the registry agent must:

• Discontinue the test.
• Advise the client that another knowledge test cannot be taken for 30 days.
• Inform the client that another test permit must be purchased next time they take the test.
• Ensure the client deletes any pictures taken of the knowledge test.
  • In the event the client refuses, contact the Special Investigations Unit.
• Place an alert on the client’s file in MOVES. The alert must be worded as follows:

  For administrative reasons surrounding a Class ___ (#) at _______ (Registry Agent’s Name) on _____ (date) this client is prohibited from taking a knowledge test for 30 days.

Fees

For knowledge test fees; see the Registry Agent Product Catalogue (pdf).

Imaging

The signed application form and all supporting documents must be sent for imaging; see 1.15 Microfilm.

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