Policy

Audio, oral, and translated knowledge tests may be made available to clients who:

• Are unable to speak or comprehend the English language.
• Have poor reading skills and have difficulty understanding the written test.
• Have hearing loss or who are deaf.
• Have a medical condition such as dyslexia.

A client must purchase a knowledge test permit; see 3.25.01 Knowledge Permits/Tests .

Note:
When a registry agent employee is conducting an oral / oral assisted test, a registry agent must ensure they use the MOVES Regulation Code 04-oral when issuing the knowledge test permit for translated knowledge test.

Air Brake Knowledge Test

The following types of Air Brake Knowledge Tests are not available at a registry agent office:

• English Audio tests.
• Translated tests.
  • Translators are not permitted.
• Oral tests or assisted oral tests.
  • Registry agents cannot conduct oral tests or assisted oral tests in their office.
  • Clients must be referred to Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors (TEC) at TEC.LicensingTraining@gov.ab.ca.
    • 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.

Audio Tests

The Driver Knowledge Testing System (DKTS) provides a narrated, audio version in English of the Class 7 knowledge test.

A registry agent may charge a client only the initial cost for the disposable headphones. The used headphones can be retained by the client or discarded by the registry agent after a single use.

Translators

Applicants looking to receive approval as a translator must be referred to TEC. More info can be found at: https://www.alberta.ca/become-a-translator-for-drivers-knowledge-tests.aspx.

Translated Knowledge Tests

Full translation knowledge tests in a language other than English are only available for class 3, 6 or 7 knowledge tests

Translated knowledge tests:

• Must be conducted by a registry agent employee or a translator (includes a professional sign language interpreter) as approved by TEC and issued a Translator Identification Number (TIN).
  • A professional sign language interpreter, for clients with hearing loss or who are deaf, can assist clients with knowledge tests and vision screenings.
  • The approved translator must present identification and the letter/card of approval from TEC bearing the unique TIN for each translation.
  • Registry agents must not retain TIN approval letters.
  • All approved translators (including registry agent employees) will be closely monitored by TEC.
• Are generated by entering the unique TIN in the DKTS.
  • If the DKTS rejects a TIN, the translation service cannot continue. Refer the translator to TEC.
  • The unique TIN cannot be shared or used by anyone other than the authorized person it was issued to. Non-compliance will be considered a serious breach.
• When necessary, can be scheduled within five business days.

The translated knowledge test must be completed within a controlled environment in a registry agent's office. 

Full Translation Test for Class 3, 6 and 7

Prior to requesting a translator, if a class 3, 6, or 7 knowledge test is available on DKTS in the client’s language, the client must first complete a minimum of three knowledge tests using any combination of the following:

• English Audio.
• Oral Assisted in English.
• Driver Knowledge Testing System in English.
• Driver Knowledge Testing System in any of the available foreign languages.

In order to request a translator after a minimum of 3 Class 7 driver knowledge tests have been completed, the client must email TEC at TEC.LicensingTraining@gov.ab.ca and provide the following information:

• Full legal name.
• Complete date of birth.
• Current mailing address.
• Contact email address
  • If the client is opting to have someone else provide the contact email address due to a language barrier, the client consents to, authorizes and understands that TEC may disclose their personal information to the third party e-mail address provided.
• Language of translation requested.

TEC may grant or refuse the use of a translator and will advise the client of the decision via email.

Note:
Clients are solely responsible for all scheduling and costs associated with knowledge testing and translator services.

Full translation tests:

• Are available for clients who are unable to speak or comprehend the English language.
• Must be conducted by an approved translator which has been assigned a TIN by AT (this includes registry agent employees and professional sign language interpreters); see Approved Translators for Knowledge Tests (pdf).
  • If conducted by an approved translator a registry agent employee must:
    • Ensure the translator is an approved translator by verifying identity and obtaining the unique TIN.
    • Generate a paper test by entering the unique TIN or if other clients will not be disturbed by the oral translation, the client may complete the test on the DKTS by entering the TIN.

Oral Knowledge Tests

There are two types of oral knowledge tests:

• Oral assisted test; available for class 1, 2 and 4 knowledge tests.
  and
• Oral test; only available for licence class 3, 6 or 7 knowledge tests.

All oral / oral assisted knowledge tests are completed in English. When processing a knowledge test permit in MOVES for an oral / oral assisted test, a registry agent must enter the regulation code 04-oral.

Note: 
A TIN is not required for registry agent staff conducting oral / oral assisted tests.

Oral Assisted Test for Class 1, 2 and 4

• Available for clients who have limited ability to read or speak English.
  • The client is expected to complete the majority of the test without assistance or the use of a dictionary.
• Must be conducted by a registry agent employee.
  • The use of a TEC approved translator is not permitted.
• The use of a professional sign language interpreter is permitted for clients with hearing loss.
  • To determine eligibility for a Class 1, 2 or 4, clients with hearing loss must submit an audiogram confirming their level of hearing loss, prior to taking the knowledge test. A registry agent must contact Driver Fitness and Monitoring (DFM) for approval.
    • Clients who do not meet the minimum hearing standards for Class 2 or 4 may be approved for a Class 1 licence with a Condition Code N (excludes Class 2 and 4) and Condition Code B (excludes transportation of dangerous goods). A registry agent must contact DFM for approval.
• A registry agent employee or a professional sign language interpreter must read/interpret only the part of the question the client is having difficulty with.
  • If the client requests continual assistance with the questions:
    • The knowledge test must be stopped.
    • The client is advised that they have failed.
  • Class 1, 2 and 4 licenced drivers must:
    • Have an adequate command of the English language.
    • Understand traffic rules and regulations.
    • Be able to communicate with law enforcement and passengers.

Oral Test for Class 3, 6 and 7

• Must be by a registry agent employee or by a professional sign language interpreter. 
• The registry agent employee or professional sign language interpreter must:
  • Read each question and the corresponding answers to the client.
    • When the client is unclear an explanation should be given.
    • The explanation must not imply or lead the client to the answer.

Completion / Test Results

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

• Enter the client's answers into the DKTS work station.
• 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 permit must be validated by the registry agent.
  • Advise the client this form is not a driver's licence and must be used within one year from the date the test is passed.
• Destroy the printed DKTS knowledge test(s) the same business day (confidential shredding).
• Conduct a vision screening after the client has passed the knowledge test; see 3.05.05 Medicals/Visions.

Note:
A registry agent must ensure the client's answers are entered correctly on the DKTS work station to ensure the integrity of the testing process.

Cheating or Collusion

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 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 all 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.
• 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. The alert must be worded as follows:
  For administrative reasons surrounding a Class (#) knowledge test taken at (Registry Agent’s Name/P#) 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).

A registry agent:

• Cannot charge the fees for oral/oral assisted knowledge tests conducted by professional sign language interpreters, or for translated tests whether completed by registry agent staff or an approved translator with a TIN. Regular knowledge test fees apply.
  • Registry agents may charge a separate fee for translating services if a translated knowledge test is being conducting by a registry agent employee with an approved TIN.

Imaging

The signed application form and all supporting documents must be sent for imaging; see the appropriate sub-section in 1.15 Microfilm.

Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Jun 16, 2025