Eligible adult drivers in Alberta will automatically exit from Graduated Driver Licence program

Jun 26, 2023 | 2:05 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Eligible Alberta drivers aged 18 and over will now automatically exit from the Graduated Driver Licence (GDL) program.

GDL drivers who have completed their 24-month driving period and have no suspensions or demerits within their last 12 months of probation, including zero tolerance for any alcohol and/or drug consumption, will now receive a letter informing them of the change in their driver’s licence status to non-GDL.

The provincial government said it is following through on a promise from April to save new drivers the $154 cost to exit the GDL program.

Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. Devin Dreeshen said, “GDL was an expensive, duplicative licensing scheme that discriminated against good young drivers. There are 500,000 young Albertans with clean driving records who would need to pay $154 and waste their time to take another driving test. Alberta’s government will continue to make common-sense rules and make life more affordable for Albertans.”

The GDL program was established in 2003. As of April 1, the province says about 700,000 Albertans were in the GDL program and about 150,000 GDL drivers have exited the program through the interim process since then.

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Drivers will not be legally required to obtain a new licence card when their GDL period ends. They may do so if they prefer, but they will be required to pay registry fees after June 25. Drivers who don’t obtain a new licence card will have their physical licence upgraded the next time they renew their driver’s licence.

Drivers who do not exhibit safe driving behaviours and incur demerits, suspensions or are ticketed for other unsafe driving offences during the last year of their probation will have their probationary period extended for an additional year.

If the driver is stopped by law enforcement in Alberta, officials say the officer will know they have a full licence through information in the Canadian Police Information Centre.

If drivers are travelling outside of Alberta, they need to keep their letter with them in their vehicle or visit a registry and update their physical licence, as law enforcement agencies outside Alberta may not have access to Alberta’s data.

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by rdnewsNOW Staff