Eligible Alberta drivers can exit GDL program
Posted June 26, 2023 3:59 pm.
More changes to Alberta’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) program are here.
Eligible drivers over the age of 18 will automatically exit the GDL program, saving them $154 in costs, the Alberta government announced Monday.
Drivers who have completed their 24-month driving period and have no suspensions or demerits within their last 12 months of probation, which includes no tolerance for any alcohol and/or drug use, will receive a letter which will state the change.
“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,” said Devin Dreeshen, Alberta’s minister of transportation and economic corridors.
This comes after the province said in September 2022 that changes are coming to the GDL program, which included removing advanced driving tests from the GDL program. An announcement of the changes happened on April 1.
According to the government, there are 700,000 Albertans in the GDL program as of April 1, and about 500,000 are eligible to leave the program. Since April 1, 150,000 exited the program.
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Alberta drivers are not legally required to get a new licence card when their GDL period ends, but the government says they can, though they will need to pay registration fees before June 25.
Those that don’t get a new license will receive an upgrade to their card the next time they renew their license.
“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,” the province said.
Over the past five years, about 65 per cent of drivers did not take their advanced road test, and 99 per cent of motorcycle riders did not take the test.
-With files from Cole Fortner and Laura Krause
