What Changed
Alberta's official driver's licence exchange page, "Exchange a licence from outside Alberta," has been updated regarding temporary residents. The previous and updated wording are consistent in content, but the new version lists "Temporary residents" as a separate category and clearly states that temporary residents cannot get an Alberta driver's licence.
The updated page states that students, visitors, Canadians working temporarily from another province, and temporary foreign workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP) cannot get a driver's licence because they do not live in Alberta permanently.
The page also states that these temporary residents may be able to continue using a driver's licence from their home province or country.
What the Official Text Says
> Temporary residents Students, visitors, Canadians working temporarily from another province, and temporary foreign workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program cannot get a driver's licence because they do not live in Alberta permanently.
Who Is Affected
The statement affects the following temporary residents in Alberta:
- Students
- Visitors
- Canadians working temporarily from another province
- Temporary foreign workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program (SAWP)
The page states that these individuals cannot get an Alberta driver's licence.
For visitors, the page states that visitors from another jurisdiction can drive the same type or Class (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7) of motor vehicle in Alberta on a valid driver's licence from their home jurisdiction for up to one year. If the licence is not in English, the page states it is "strongly recommended" to carry an International Driver's Permit (IDP), and both the IDP and the valid home jurisdiction licence must be carried when driving in Alberta.
For students, the page states that students can continue using their licence from their home province or territory if they are studying in Alberta at an accredited educational institution, or working as part of a co-op program of study.
For Canadians working temporarily from another province, the page states that they can drive using their provincial driver's licence if they continue to live in their home province for more than 6 months each year.
For temporary foreign workers under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, the page states that they are not required to obtain an Alberta driver's licence or identification card, and these workers are not classed as Alberta residents.
Effective Date
The official page does not state an effective date.
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