How to get a Class 7 learner's licence in Alberta
How to get an Alberta learner's licence (Class 7): who can apply, the ID and parental consent you need, the knowledge test at a registry agent, the vision screening, registry fees, the learner rules and the path to a Class 5-GDL, with each fact linked to alberta.ca.
By the Canada Exam Prep Editorial Team ·
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- Checked October 17, 2026
Every new driver in Alberta, whatever their age, starts with a Class 7 learner's licence, the first stage of the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. You get it at an Alberta registry agent office by passing a knowledge test and a vision screening, then buying your licence card.
This guide puts the steps in order: eligibility and documents, parental consent for teens, the knowledge test format and languages, the vision screening, what the registry charges, the rules while you are a learner, and how you move on to a Class 5-GDL and a full Class 5. Each point links to the Government of Alberta page it comes from. Fees and rules change, so check the linked page before you go.
Step by step
Check that you can apply
You must be 14 or older, pass a vision screening and a knowledge test on the rules of the road, have valid identification and, if you are under 18, have parental consent. A licence is issued only to Alberta residents: people lawfully entitled to be in Canada who make their home in Alberta.
Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing InformationStudy the Driver's Guide
Download and study the Driver's Guide to operation, safety and licensing for cars and light trucks. The knowledge test is based on questions taken from this guide and covers safe driving practices, driving laws and road signs.
Source: alberta.ca — Class 7 learner's licenceGather your documents
For a first licence, the registry agent needs original documents proving who you are, that you live in Alberta and that you are lawfully entitled to be in Canada. Documents must be in English or come with a written translation from an approved translator.
Source: alberta.ca — ID requirements for driver's licences and ID cardsBring a parent or guardian if you are under 18
Minors applying for the first time must be accompanied to the registry office by a parent or legal guardian, who shows proof of guardianship and signs a consent form. This is not needed if the minor shows proof of marriage or self-support.
Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing InformationPass the knowledge test at a registry agent
The test has 30 multiple-choice questions and you need 25 correct to pass. You can take it once per day, and you pay for each attempt. The Class 7 test is offered in 25 languages, and audio devices can read the questions and answers aloud.
Source: alberta.ca — Driver's knowledge testPass the vision screening and buy your licence card
A registry agent tests your vision. If you pass both tests, you buy a Class 7 learner's licence card and get a temporary licence valid for 30 days or until the card arrives, which should be within 21 business days.
Source: alberta.ca — Class 7 learner's licenceDrive under the learner rules
Drive only with a fully licensed (non-GDL) driver aged 18 or older seated next to you. You may not drive from midnight to 5 a.m. or carry more passengers than seat belts, you are suspended if you reach eight or more demerit points, and your alcohol and drug level must be zero.
Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing InformationTake the Class 5 road test after one year
After at least 12 months with your Class 7, and once you are 16, you can take the Class 5 road test. Book it through a registry agent or the Alberta Road Test Scheduler. Passing makes you a Class 5-GDL probationary driver.
Source: alberta.ca — Steps to getting your licence
Who can get it
- At least 14 years old, with parental or guardian consent if you are under 18. Source: alberta.ca — Steps to getting your licence
- Must pass a knowledge test and a vision test. Source: alberta.ca — Steps to getting your licence
- An Alberta resident: a person lawfully entitled to be in Canada who makes their home in Alberta and is ordinarily present there. Applicants from outside Canada or the United States must show suitable immigration documents. Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing Information
- You must disclose any medical or physical condition that could affect safe driving and, if you have one, submit a Driver Medical Intake Form completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Drivers 75 or older must provide this form when applying for or renewing a Class 7. Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing Information
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test, each attempt (all classes, including other languages and the audio version) | $5.00 government fee plus a registry service charge of up to $12.60 | Source: Registry Agent Product Catalogue (Government of Alberta, July 2026, archived copy) |
| Licence card, first application, one-year term | $17.00 government fee plus a registry service charge of up to $10.50 | Source: Registry Agent Product Catalogue (Government of Alberta, July 2026, archived copy) |
| Licence card, first application, five-year term | $85.00 government fee plus a registry service charge of up to $13.65 | Source: Registry Agent Product Catalogue (Government of Alberta, July 2026, archived copy) |
| Class 5 road test, when you are ready for the next stage | $7.00 government fee plus a service charge set by the registry agent | Source: Registry Agent Product Catalogue (Government of Alberta, July 2026, archived copy) |
| Disposable headphones for the audio test, at some registries | Not confirmed by an official source; check with the provider | Source: alberta.ca — Driver's knowledge test |
| Driver education course (recommended, not mandatory) | Not confirmed by an official source; check with the provider | Source: alberta.ca — Class 5 driver's licence |
Fees change. Check the amount on the official page or with the provider before you pay.
Where to take the test
Knowledge tests are available at Alberta registry agent offices, on a computer. The registry agent also does the vision screening and sells your licence card. The test cannot be taken online at home. Source: alberta.ca — Driver's knowledge test
What to bring or have ready
- Proof of identity, such as a Canadian passport (expired less than one year ago at most) or a valid permanent resident card. Debit or credit cards, Social Insurance Number cards and interim or temporary licences are not accepted as identification. Source: alberta.ca — ID requirements for driver's licences and ID cards
- Proof that you live in Alberta, such as a utility bill, bank statement, lease or signed letter from an Alberta employer, showing your full name and address and dated less than 90 days before you present it. Source: alberta.ca — ID requirements for driver's licences and ID cards
- Proof of legal entitlement to be in Canada, such as a Canadian birth certificate, Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, permanent resident card or a federal permit giving you resident status for more than the next 90 days. Source: alberta.ca — ID requirements for driver's licences and ID cards
- Under 18: a parent or legal guardian, in person, with proof of guardianship. Bring your glasses or contact lenses for the vision assessment if you use them. Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing Information
After you pass
After the Class 5 road test you are a Class 5-GDL probationary driver for at least 24 months. To get a full Class 5 licence you must be at least 18 and be free of suspensions and demerits for the last 12 months; an approved driver training program can cut the probationary period by up to 6 months. In total it takes at least 3 years to get a full, non-GDL Class 5 licence. Source: alberta.ca — Steps to getting your licence
Validity and renewal
You must hold your Class 7 for at least one year before the road test, and that time is extended if your driving privileges are suspended. Alberta no longer mails licence renewal reminders (except to Albertans with disabilities), so it is your job to renew on or before the expiry date; you can sign up for free electronic reminders. Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing Information
Common mistakes
- Showing up without proof of Alberta residence or legal entitlement to be in Canada. A registry agent cannot issue a licence unless fully satisfied that you are a legal resident of both Canada and Alberta. Source: alberta.ca — ID requirements for driver's licences and ID cards
- Coming to the registry alone as a teen. Under 18, a parent or legal guardian must attend, show proof of guardianship and sign the consent form. Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing Information
- Planning several attempts in one day. You can take the knowledge test only once per day, and every attempt is paid. Source: alberta.ca — Driver's knowledge test
- Practising with a supervisor who is still in GDL. Your supervisor must be a fully licensed (non-GDL) driver aged 18 or older; a Class 5-GDL driver cannot supervise a learner. Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing Information
- Forgetting to take the knowledge test permit back to a registry agent after you pass, so your licence record is updated. Source: Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks (Alberta, 2026), chapter 1: Licensing Information
Prepare for the test
Free practice written from the official material: full practice tests, a study guide, a printable sheet and a timed mock exam.
- Alberta Class 7 practice tests385 original practice questions with explanations
- Alberta Class 7 practice test (printable PDF)100 Alberta Class 7 practice questions with an answer key and explanations. Print it or save it as a PDF from your browser. Free, no sign-up.
- Alberta Class 7 study guideFree Alberta Class 7 study guide: 324 key points from the Driver's Guide: Cars and light trucks in plain words, organised by topic, each topic linked to its practice questions.
- Alberta Class 7 Mock Exam 1 – 30 QuestionsTimed practice · 30 minutes · answers explained
- Alberta Class 7 exam simulator30 new random questions every time, full screen, no hints
- Alberta Class 5 road test guideHow the Alberta Class 5 road test works: who can take it, booking through a registry agent with your MVID number, fees, the points system and the automatic-fail errors, a day-of checklist and what comes after the Class 5-GDL licence, each fact linked to alberta.ca.
We last checked the official pages on October 17, 2026. Rules and fees can change; the official source always wins.
FAQ
How to get an Alberta learner's licence: common questions
How do I get a learner's licence in Alberta?
Be 14 or older, go to an Alberta registry agent with your identity, Alberta residence and legal-entitlement documents (and a parent or guardian if you are under 18), pass the knowledge test and the vision screening, then buy your Class 7 licence card.
How much does an Alberta learner's licence cost?
The registry agent product catalogue sets a $5.00 government fee for the knowledge test plus a registry service charge of up to $12.60 per attempt. A one-year licence card is $17.00 plus a service charge of up to $10.50, and a five-year card is $85.00 plus up to $13.65.
How many questions are on the Alberta learner's test?
30 multiple-choice questions. You need 25 correct to pass, so you can miss five.
Can I take the Alberta knowledge test in another language?
Yes. The Class 7 test is offered in 25 languages, including French, Punjabi, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Tagalog, Spanish and Cree, and audio devices can read the test aloud.
How old do you have to be for a learner's licence in Alberta?
At least 14. Under 18, a parent or legal guardian must come with you to the registry office and sign consent.
Who can supervise me with a Class 7?
A fully licensed (non-GDL) driver aged 18 or older, seated next to you. A Class 5-GDL probationary driver cannot act as your supervisor.
How long do I have to keep my Class 7 before the road test?
At least 12 months, and you must be at least 16 for the Class 5 road test. Any suspension extends the time.
Where can I practise for the Alberta learner's test?
Use our free Alberta Class 7 practice tests, the 30-question mock exam scored like the real test, the printable questions, the road signs chart and the study guide, all written from the Driver's Guide. Each answer explains the rule and cites the guide page.
Keep practising
- Alberta Class 7 practice test – 125 questionsOne long 125-question Alberta Class 7 practice test across every chapter of the Driver's Guide, with instant feedback and explanations.
- Alberta Class 7 practice test (printable PDF)100 Alberta Class 7 practice questions with an answer key and explanations. Print it or save it as a PDF from your browser. Free, no sign-up.
- Alberta road signs chartEvery road sign in our Alberta Class 7 question bank on one page, with what each one means and what to do, grouped like the Driver's Guide.
- Alberta Class 7 study guide
- Alberta Class 5 road test guide
- Alberta Class 7 Mock Exam 1 – 30 QuestionsTimed practice · 30 minutes · answers explained
- Alberta Class 7 Mock Exam 2 – 30 QuestionsTimed practice · 30 minutes · answers explained
- Alberta Class 7 Practice Test 130 questions with explanations
- Alberta Class 7 Practice Test 230 questions with explanations
- Alberta Class 7 Practice Test 330 questions with explanations
Practice by topic
- Licensing and the GDL programClass 7 learner rules, the knowledge test, Class 5-GDL probation, licence classes, new residents and documents you must carry.
- Traffic lights and signalsSolid, flashing and arrow lights, right and left turns on red, pedestrian signals and lane reversal signals.
- Road signsSign shapes and colours, regulatory, permissive and prohibitive signs, warning, guide and construction signs.
- Speed limits, school and playground zonesDefault speed limits, school zone and playground zone times and speeds, and when you may not pass.
- Pavement markings and lanesYellow and white lines, passing zones, arrows, diamonds, painted islands, bicycle lanes and stop lines.
- Driving basics and parkingPre-drive checks, seat and mirrors, steering, signalling, stopping distance, reversing, parallel and hill parking, where not to park.
- Right-of-way and intersectionsStop and yield signs, four-way stops, uncontrolled and T intersections, keeping intersections clear, roundabouts.
- Turning, turn lanes and U-turnsRight and left turns, turning onto one-way streets, dual turn lanes, two-way left turn lanes and where U-turns are illegal.
- Highways, passing and mergingLane position, blind spots, lane changes, passing rules, emergency stopping lanes, merging, weave zones, curves and hills.
- Emergencies and difficult conditionsEmergency braking with and without ABS, skids, breakdowns, night driving, fog, black ice, collisions and emergency vehicles.
- Responsible and proactive drivingScanning, following distance, space cushion, distracted driving, seat belts and child seats, fuel efficiency and general traffic laws.
- Sharing the roadPedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, large trucks, school buses, snowplows, railway crossings, LRT and funeral processions.
- Demerits, suspensions and impaired drivingDemerit point thresholds and offences, suspensions, fatigue and medication, and Alberta's Immediate Roadside Sanctions.