Alberta has seven classes of driver’s license, depending on the vehicle you plan to drive. Most people carry a Class Five, allowing them to drive cars, light trucks, motor homes and mopeds.

If you have a valid driver’s license from another part of Canada (or Austria, Belgium, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, or the United States), you can exchange it for an Alberta license without having to write a test or pass a driving exam.

All other new residents are required to pass a written test and driving exam.

To qualify for a license, you must be a legal resident of Alberta who is 16 or older with no medical or vision issues that would impair your driving. You need to provide proof that you are lawfully entitled to live in Canada and that you currently live in Alberta, as well as photo identification like a passport or other driver’s license.

Proof that you are lawfully entitled to be in Canada would include a visa or resident card, while proof that you are an Alberta resident would include a residential lease agreement or a letter from an Alberta-based employer.

If you are new to the province, you must apply for your Alberta driver’s license within 90 days of moving here. If you are visiting Alberta from outside Canada and using an international driving permit (IDP), you may drive in Alberta for up to 12 months using the IDP.

Driver’s licenses can be applied for at Alberta registries. Visit the Service Alberta site to find a registry in Calgary.