Changes to the GDL program in Alberta will see half a million drivers eligible for “graduation”

Next year, starting in the spring, Alberta drivers will get to skip a step in the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. Right now, new drivers are required to take two road tests to reach their full Class 5 license. The first road test happens after holding a learner’s license (Class 7) for at least one year. The second road test happens at least two years after the first, with some requirements, including being suspension-free in the final twelve months of the two years.

A recent announcement by the UPC brings a significant change, removing the second road test. Prasad Panda, Minister of Transportation, stated in the release that “many Albertans have told us that the advanced test costs too much, is a roadblock to finding jobs and has created unnecessary red tape. That’s why we are eliminating the advanced road test for (Class 5) passenger vehicles and (Class 6) motorcycles as well as the additional Class 4 road test while maintaining strong safety standards for drivers.”

Surprising stats show that about 700,000 GDL drivers on the road today qualify to take their advanced road test. Of those, roughly half a million drivers are eligible to exit the GDL program under the upcoming changes automatically. That means those drivers decided to remain at the second stage of the GDL program instead of taking the final test and graduating out.

The Alberta Government release also stated that in the last five years, around 65 percent of drivers did not take their advanced road test when they became eligible for it. It’s even higher for motorcycle riders, coming in at 99 percent of riders not taking the test and staying within the GDL program. For the motorcycle side, that’s pretty much everyone who sought their license.

In 2019, many Albertans spoke in favour of removing the second road test by taking part in a survey on red tape reduction ideas. For local driver Kendra Ruhl, not taking the final test didn’t impact her life. “Finding the time to get another road test booked wasn’t a priority, and spending money on something that didn’t impact my life wasn’t a priority either. If I had needed the full license for work, I would have taken it.” When asked how she felt about the government’s changes coming in April, Ruhl said it made sense. “There are a lot of others in the same position as I am that are eligible to remove it but haven’t.”

Other drivers have taken to social media to share their concerns, including their fear that drivers will not receive the training they need before getting their full licenses. Ruhl disagrees. “Lots of people do a lot of driving in two years. Honestly, I think even a five-year probation period would be fine, too, if there were worries that people won’t have enough experience. I would assume they are picking two years for a reason.”

Local driver Brandy (last name withheld) said the rules in the probationary level, which drivers enter following the first road test, fit her life as is. “Two rules are that you must not have more passengers than seatbelts and a zero alcohol limit. To me, these rules make complete sense and, in my opinion, should be rules across the board for all drivers. I had absolutely no problem following these rules. It’s one of the reasons I decided to stay at my GDL probationary class 5 licence.”

Brandy has had her GDL license for fifteen years. “There are so many other ways they could have graduated us from the license, but the road test was such a stretch. I didn’t understand why they didn’t just move GDL drivers over to a regular license after a certain amount of years being ticket-free and accident-free versus taking the road test all over again,” she explained.

Currently, drivers within the two-year probationary period ahead of receiving their full license must remain suspension-free in the final twelve months before they can do their final road test. With the changes, drivers must stay suspension-free for the same timeline before graduating from the program. If they get an infraction, their probationary time will extend by another year. Drivers can reduce their probationary period by six months if they complete an approved driver training course.

Probationary drivers (Class 7) can’t drive from midnight to 5 am, must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver 18 years of age or older, can’t have any level of alcohol or drug in their system while driving, and get suspended if they reach eight or more demerit points. After passing their first road test, they enter stage two of the GDL, called Class 5 GDL. The early morning driving limits are removed at this point, but the rest of the probationary conditions remain. This is the level that half a million Albertans sit at and have for years.

For area resident Kelsey Miller, there are too many bad drivers on the road, and she isn’t sure removing the road test will help or hinder that. “Perhaps 10-year increments of testing for everyone would be better. Let’s weed out the best drivers ever to live who still don’t know they should signal on 55th Ave before they need to turn and not while turning. How many of us have been driving for a few years and still can’t parallel park? How many of us don’t signal or brake or even know how to use a 4-way, let alone 3-way?”

The second road test elimination will save Albertans $150 while not reducing the probationary period or the requirements of being a good driver. Those who choose to graduate from the program before April still need to pay the $150 fee and pass the road test. Those who wait will save some cash and the time to take the test.

The changes also impact Class 4 licences for drivers to transport passengers such as taxis, small buses, ambulances, and ride-share vehicles. Enhanced knowledge tests and medical and vision tests will still be requirements. The release stated that the Alberta Government “hopes to attract more competition to the ride-sharing industry” with the change.