3.10.10 Quebec Driver's Licence

Policy

Clients originating from Quebec (QC) who are lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada and have now established residency in Alberta may exchange their valid QC driver’s licence for an Alberta driver’s licence of an equivalent class.

  • See Table 1 - Driver Licence Equivalencies to determine Alberta’s equivalent driver's licence class.
  • See Table 2 – Class 1 Equivalencies for Class 1 Learning Pathway; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • See Table 3 - Code Equivalencies to determine Alberta’s equivalent condition/restriction codes.
  • When a QC driver’s licence has not been valid within the last three years, full testing is required; see 3.15.02 Out of Province Operator First.
    • When a client has passed their vision and Class 7 knowledge test and has had the Class 7 licence issued, the client may take a road test for the class of licence (or lower class) that they held at the time their licence expired (this does not apply to the Class 6 motorcycle licence category).  The client must meet all applicable licensing requirements, including passing the knowledge test for that class of licence; see 3.00.01 Driver Licence Classifications.
      • If the client fails the knowledge or road test for a Class 1, they must complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway to retain that Class of licence, unless they are applying for a Farm-Restricted Class 1; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • Clients have a 10-day waiting period when reclassifying their Alberta non-GDL Class 5 or 6 to an Alberta Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 driver’s licence.
    • During this period Alberta confirms the client’s QC driver’s information.

Medicals

The following clients must submit a current medical report before exchanging their QC driver’s licence:

  • Clients with a medical condition or physical disability that may affect their ability to drive. 
  • Clients exchanging for an Alberta 1, 2 or 4 driver’s licence. 
  • 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).
    • Clients exchanging a QC Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 driver’s licence are not subject to the GDL Program.
    • Clients exchanging a non-GDL licence with less than two years of driving experience or have been suspended/received a traffic contravention in the past year are automatically placed in the GDL Program.
  • For Class 1 drivers, provide proof of length of time licenced in that class or Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation (for Class 1 only) to determine if they are required to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • Surrender their QC driver’s licence (including valid temporary/interim licences).
    • When a client has lost their driver’s licence, an official document (such as a confirmation letter or a driver’s abstract), not dated more than 90 days, from QC’s licensing authority detailing the content of the driver’s licence, may be accepted in place of the lost driver’s licence.

A registry agent must securely retain surrendered out of province licences for one week, then shred them.

Additional Requirements

In addition to the licensing requirements, the client may also have to successfully complete a knowledge and/or road test when special restrictions are indicated on their QC driver’s licence such as: area, speed or hours of operation.

MOVES Processing

A registry agent must:

  • Complete a CCMTA Interprovincial Record Exchange (IRE) search; see 3.10.20 Interprovincial Record Exchange Searches & Close Outs for Driver’s Licences (CCMTA).
  • Enter the DFL date as displayed on the QC CCMTA IRE.
    •  For a QC class 7 learner’s licence that displays “Never Licenced” on the CCMTA IRE, the time displayed for 5/A must be entered (Annes=Years, Jours=Days).
    • For a QC class 5 driver’s licence the time displayed for 5/F and 5/B must be added together and entered (Annes=Years, Jours=Days).
  • Enter the OOP-LIC field requirements using the following format:
    • QC/licence #/class as displayed in QC/codes as displayed in QC/expiry date in YYYYMMDD format (do not enter the CCMTA or Alberta equivalent licence class/conditions/restrictions).
  • For clients exchanging a Class 1 QC driver’s licence, enter the MLSTN field requirements in the following format (see table 2 “Class 1 Equivalencies for Class 1 Learning Pathway” below for more information):
    • Applicable milestone/jurisdiction/today’s date.
  • Process a driver's licence close out; see 3.10.20 Interprovincial Record Exchange Searches & Close Outs for Driver’s Licences (CCMTA).

Amendments to a Client File

When amendments or corrections are made to a client file, a registry agent must immediately send copies of the relevant support documents to Motor Vehicles. Examples:

  • Proof of date of birth is required if the date of birth is different on the CCMTA search results and surrendered QC driver’s licence. 
  • Proof of airbrake endorsement when adding a Condition Code Q.   

Note:
A client must be created using the exact name and date of birth as it appears on their QC licence.
       •  If the client identifies that a name change is required; a registry agent must complete a tracked change
          to the MOVES client file. 
       •  If the client identifies that a DOB change is required; a registry agent must contact Registries
          Assurance to complete a DOB correction to the MOVES client file.  

Table 1 – Driver Licence Equivalencies

The below table displays the Alberta licence class equivalencies for licence classes from QC.

 QC Classes  1 1, 2  1, 3  4A,
4B,
4C 		 5B
5F

6A,
6B,
6C,
6E 

 5/A
Permis d'apprenti conducteur
*See Note Box below 		  6D,
8
 AB Equivalent  1 2 34

4

5

 6 

7

No Equivalent 

Note:
Quebec issues learner licences in Classes 1 ,2, 3 and 6. ‘Permis d’apprenti-conducteur’ is displayed on the top of all learner licences. There is no Alberta equivalent for a Permis d’apprenti-conducteur class 1, 2, 3 or 6 licence.

A Quebec class 5 Permis d’apprenti-conducteur will have a “Never Licenced” status on the CCMTA with 5/A in comments and must be exchanged for an Alberta Class 7 learner licence.

A Quebec non learner licence will display ‘Permis de conduire’ or ‘Permis de Conduire Provisoire); see http://www.docutector.com/maindoc.asp?m=c&s=QB

  • A Quebec Class 1 with an airbrake endorsement must be exchanged for an Alberta Class 1 driver’s licence, and must have a condition code R placed on the Alberta licence unless the Quebec licence also has an endorsement code M (Manual Transmission).  
  • A Quebec Class 1 without an airbrake endorsement must be exchanged for an Alberta Class 2 driver’s licence (medical required) or Alberta Class 3 driver’s licence.
    • The client is allowed to later upgrade to an Alberta Class 1 driver’s licence when an air brake endorsement is presented within one year of a licence exchange without having to complete a knowledge and road test. 
  • A Quebec Class 6D (Cyclomoteur) allows for the operation of a moped or motorized scooter.  There is no Alberta equivalency, and the licence must not be exchanged.
  • A Quebec Class 6E must be exchanged for an Alberta Class 6 with Condition Code V. 

Table 2 – Class 1 Equivalencies for Class 1 Learning Pathway

Jurisdiction Class Length of time Licenced in Class Class 1 Knowledge and Road Test? Class 1 Learning Pathway?
QC 1 (completed training leading to a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation) N/A No No
1 with no completed training >24 months No No
12-24 months Yes Yes (if client failed Class 1 knowledge or road test. May apply for the Experience and Equivalency Program.)
< 12 months Yes Yes
  • A client with a QC Class 1 driver’s licence who has completed the vocational training program and holds a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation (for Class 1 only) issued by Quebec’s Ministère de l'Éducation et de l'Enseignement supérieur, regardless of the length of time licenced, is not required to take a Class 1 knowledge or road test or complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway; however, a MELT1 or ELT1 designation must not be added unless the client has completed a MELT course or completes the Class 1 Learning Pathway in Alberta. A registry agent must enter the MANLOOP1 milestone prior to issuing the Alberta licence. A registry agent must compare the document provided by the client to the applicable sample to ensure it is the correct document and all requirements are met (a translation of the document is not required). A copy of the applicable document proving a client’s successful completion must be sent for imaging, and sent to Motor Vehicles immediately following completion of the service:
    • Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in truck transportation (see sample);
      or
    • Transcript that shows the completion of all the following courses (see sample; the applicable courses are highlighted in the sample):
      • Métier et formation
      • Possibilités systèmes camion
      • Réglementation
      • État du camion
      • Techniques de base de conduit
      • Planification d'un voyage
      • Chargement et déchargement
      • Conduite mil. rural/autoroutes
      • Voyage avec livraison
      • Intégration milieu de travail
  • If the CCMTA IRE Date First Licenced for Class 1 is less than 24 months and the client has more driving history, they must provide documentation from QC that states when they first obtained a Class 1 driver’s licence.
    • A copy must be sent to Motor Vehicles and attached as a support document to the service.
  • A QC Class 1 driver who has held a Class 1 licence in QC for more than 24 months and has not completed the vocational training program in QC is not required to complete a knowledge test, road test, or the Class 1 Learning Pathway.
    • A registry agent must enter the MANLOOP1 milestone in the MLSTN field. The Alberta driver’s licence will print with no designation. A copy of the licence or CCMTA IRE search results showing length of time they held a Class 1 licence must be sent for imaging.
  • If a client has held their QC Class 1 licence for 12-24 months, they must complete a Class 1 knowledge and road test. If they fail either the knowledge test or road test, they must complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway through the Experience and Equivalency program; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.
    • If client passes the knowledge and road test, when processing the licence exchange, a registry agent must enter the MANLOOP1 milestone in the MLSTN field. The Alberta driver’s licence will print with no designation.
  • If a client has held their QC Class 1 licence for less than 12 months they must successfully complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway.
    • The licence must be exchanged and reclassed to the next allowable class. A Class 1 knowledge and road test must be completed as part of the Class 1 Learning Pathway; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway. 
    • If the client is applying for a Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence, they are not required to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway but must still pass a Class 1 knowledge and road test; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.
  • Clients can use their valid (not expired) QC driver’s licence for the road test.
  • If a client fails either the knowledge or road test, they must be issued the next allowable Class of licence in Alberta.
    • A registry agent must place a five year alert on the client file stating “Client has failed the out of province Class 1 testing and cannot reclass to a Class 1 driver’s licence without successfully completing the Class 1 Learning Pathway and passing the Class 1 knowledge and road test.”
      • If the client passed the knowledge test but failed the road test, the knowledge test permit results are still valid for one year from the date validated as passed.
    • If the client is applying for a Farm-Restricted Class 1 licence, they are not required to complete the Class 1 Learning Pathway if they fail either test; see 3.20.06 Class 1 Learning Pathway.

Table 3 – Code Equivalencies

The following table shows the Alberta equivalent for condition/restriction codes that may appear on a QC driver’s licence. When the QC driver’s licence has a condition/restriction code, an equivalent Alberta condition/restriction code must be placed on the Alberta driver’s licence.

When no Alberta Equivalent code appears in Table 3 – Code Equivalences for a specific endorsement/restriction/condition code on a client’s QC driver’s licence, the registry agent must question the client to determine the reason/purpose of the code.

For more information on the Alberta equivalent codes, including requirements for adding and removing, see QR 3.3 Condition Codes / Endorsements. 

Quebec Condition/Restriction Codes Alberta Equivalent
A - Corrective lenses Condition Code - A
B - Daylight driving only Condition Code - H
C - Hearing aid required No Equivalent
D, E, F, G - Periodic medical exam Condition Code - C and/or T
H - May only operate vehicles with a weight of 2,500 kg. or less No Equivalent
I - Alcohol detector No Equivalent
J - Automatic transmission Condition Code - K
K - Power steering No Equivalent
L - Power brakes only Condition Code - B
M - Permitted to operate a heavy vehicle equipped with a manual transmission No Equivalent
N - Must wear seat belt No Equivalent
P - Hand controls Condition Code - L
Q - Manual dimmer switch or “Magic Eye” Condition Code - L
R - Accelerator on left side of vehicle Condition Code - B
S - Medical restriction To be determined according to medical restriction
T - Restricted to off highway driving Full Testing Required
V - Hand controls equipped for the handicapped Condition Code - L
W - Class 1, 2, 3 valid in Canada only *See Note Box below
X - Ignition Interlock No Equivalent
Y - Subject to zero alcohol No Equivalent

 

Code W Note:
When a client with a Condition Code W:
  • Submits a clean medical for a commercial class of licence, a registry agent must not add the Code W when processing the Out of Province First service.
    • Send a copy of the medical to Motor Vehicles immediately following the service.
  • Wishes to reclass to a Class 5 and states they do not have any medical conditions, they are not required to submit a medical.

 

 Quebec Endorsement Codes  Alberta Equivalent
 F - Airbrakes  Condition Code - Q
 M - Manual transmission  No Equivalent
 T - Road train  No Equivalent

For condition/restriction codes that may appear on the CCMTA IRE search, see 3.10.20 Interprovincial Record Exchange Searches & Close Outs for Driver’s Licences (CCMTA) and QR 3.6 CCMTA Condition Code Equivalencies.

Imaging

All supporting documents, including documentation from other jurisdiction showing driver record information (such as confirmation letters/driver’s abstracts) must be sent for imaging; see the appropriate sub-section in 1.15 Imaging.


Date Originally Issued: Feb 08, 2011
Date Last Revised: Apr 01, 2025