Driving

In Alberta, you can be fined up to $2,000 or more if you drive a vehicle without having an Alberta driver’s license, vehicle insurance and registration. You may, however, drive with an International license or a license endorsed by another province for up to three months.

To drive a car or truck, you need a Class 5 license. You will need to obtain a different class of license to drive a taxi, a motorcycle or a large truck.

To get your license or register a vehicle, go to a private registry office, listed in the Yellow Pages under LICENSE AND REGISTRY SERVICES.

In Alberta, everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt. Children under 18 kilograms (40 pounds) must be placed in an approved child safety seat.

Drivers must inform themselves of Alberta’s driving rules. When a police car, ambulance or fire truck has its lights and siren on, quickly move to the right side of the road and let them pass. If you pass a stopped emergency vehicle on the highway that has its lights flashing, you must slow down to 60 km/hr.

There are photo radar cameras that control driver’s speed at many locations around the city. If you drive over the authorized speed limit you may get a fine. Notice of the fine will be delivered by mail.

Did you know? It is illegal to drive a car if you have been drinking alcohol or using drugs. It is also illegal to have an open container of alcohol in the car. If you are convicted of driving drunk, you may lose your license, pay a large fine and even go to jail.