One issue many immigrants face when moving to Canada is whether or not their current drivers licence will be accepted in Canada.
Generally, issuing drivers licence is a provincial/territorial issue in Canada, and the system varies from province to province.
Drivers Licensing in Alberta
- If you visit Alberta as a visitor, you can use your International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to 12 months, in conjunction with the licence from your country of residence.
- If you have moved to Alberta as a permanent resident (immigrant), then you must obtain an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province, regardless of whether you travel outside Alberta during those 90 days (see below for more information on the difference between reciprocal and non-reciprocal licences)
- If you are working in Alberta but have your residence outside the province, you may continue to use the valid licence from your home jurisdiction.
- If you are only visiting the province, then you may use your valid licence from your home jurisdiction as long as you have a legitimate residence there and do not take up residency in Alberta.
- If you are staying in Alberta as a full time student or you are working here as part of a co-op program of study, you may use your valid driver’s licence from your home jurisdiction.
Reciprocal/non-reciprocal Licensing Agreements
- If you have moved to Alberta from the countries with which Canada has a reciprocal agreement – Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, UK (excluding Northern Ireland) and the USA – then you can exchange your home jurisdiction licence to an Albertan one, provided you meet certain conditions.
- If you come from one of the non-reciprocal countries, but have had the licence from your current jurisdiction for at least two years, then you can apply for the Alberta licence Class 5 (cars, light trucks, motorcycles and mopeds) or Class 7 (learner’s licence for cars, motorcycles and mopeds), after you pass the knowledge, vision and advanced road testing.
- But if you do not possess the minimum two years of experience, then you will be placed under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) which will require few years of progressively increased privileges as a driver.
More information can be obtained from Transportation Alberta
