Drivers testing

By Dori Modney

Extensive road test wait times prompt Alberta to increase private road test examiners

Sep 13, 2019 | 2:08 PM

EDMONTON — The provincial government is responding to complaints about long wait times for all driver’s licence classes and taking steps to increase the number of road tests available in the province.

The wait times stem from the government-run road test model that was introduced in March of this year and resulting in the wait times. Transportation Minister, Ric McIver, laid the issue at the feet of the former NDP government…which resulted in Albertans waiting up to 12 weeks for a driver’s road test.

“The previous government blew up the old system and rushed implementation of the public model, causing months of delays for Albertans seeking a road test. Some Albertans are waiting up to 12 weeks for an exam. This is unacceptable. We are taking action to reduce wait times by licensing more examiners, while we continue to review options for a long-term, permanent system that delivers services at a level Albertans expect.”

Craig Couillard, president of the Alberta Association of Registry Agents (207 across the province), noted “this will restore Alberta to its position as the province with the lowest wait times in Canada.”

Alberta Transportation will request applications for qualified individuals from outside of government to be licensed to deliver road tests. These licensed driver examiners will expand the capacity of the existing publicly run model, help to reduce wait times and improve overall driver examination services in Alberta in the short term.

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The review of the government-run road test model will continue by Alberta Transportation, with the goal of establishing long-term improvements for the delivery of driver examination services.

On average, about 14,000 road tests are sought across the province each month, with a peak during summer when demand spikes to about 20,000 tests each month.

The government will hire and train more than 150 government driver examiners and authorize overtime to help meet demand.

Initially, the government intends to license approximately 20 driver examiners to address the wait times, and then evaluate demand and reassess. Those with driver examiner experience will be given preference. Clean records (i.e. no record of suspensions, investigations or other disciplinary actions) prior to March 1 2019, are mandatory.

The examiners will not be government employees and will work in regions where demand for road tests is highest, such as Edmonton and Calgary.

Information about how to apply for a licence can be found online. Screening and evaluation of applicants will include criminal record checks and a review of past conduct. Successful applicants will be subject to all government standards for professional conduct. Albertans will continue to be able to book all road tests online through the Alberta Road Test Scheduler.