New Drivers
Driving involves responsibility and risk. When you are in the driver’s seat, a whole new world opens to you. For drivers of all ages, getting a driver’s licence can be a rite of passage, providing opportunities for employment, mobility and independence.
To prepare for the responsibility of sharing the road, all new drivers should develop the following attributes:
- Attitude: Develop a commitment to safe and responsible driving every time you get behind the wheel
- Awareness: Stay aware of your surroundings and make responsible decisions when responding to hazards and changing road conditions
- Knowledge: Learn and understand traffic laws, road signs and the rules of the road
- Skill: Enrol in a licensed driver training school to learn how to operate a motor vehicle safely. Developing strong driving skills requires education, training and practice.
Regardless of age, all new drivers are part of the Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) program. As a GDL driver, you will progress through the following stages:
Stage 1: Learner (Class 7)
- To get your Class 7 learner driver’s license you must:
- be 14 years of age or older
- have parental consent if you are under 18 years old
- have valid identification
- pass a vision and knowledge test
- Class 7 drivers:
- must be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-GDL) driver who is 18 years of age or older and is seated next to you
- are not permitted to drive from midnight to 5 a.m.
- are not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts
-
will have their licence suspended if they accumulate eight or more demerit points.
- must have a zero-alcohol or drug level when driving
- You must hold a Class 7 driver’s license for at least one year
Stage 2: Probationary (Class 5 GDL)
- To obtain your Class 5 GLD License you must:
- be 16 years of age or older
- pass the basic Alberta Class 5 road test
- Class 5 GDL drivers:
- are not permitted to have more passengers than seat belts
-
will have their licence suspended if they accumulate eight or more demerit points
- must have a zero-alcohol or drug level when driving
- cannot serve as the accompanying driver to a learner
- cannot upgrade to a commercial driver's licence while holding a GDL license
- You must hold a Class 5-GDL driver’s licence for a minimum of two years
Stage 3: Full, Non-GDL (Class 5)
- To become a fully licensed driver you must be suspension free and demerit for the last 12 months
- It will take a minimum of three years to complete both the learners and probationary stages of the program
Did you know?
- In 2024, males 18 to 19 years old had the highest involvement rate of all drivers involved in casualty collisions.
- The most common causes for casualty collisions in 2024 were for following too close, running off the road and making a left turn across the path of an oncoming vehicle.
The Lethbridge Police Service urges new drivers to drive responsibly and for other road users to be aware of novice drivers.