If you get the letter, you automatically exit the GDL program

Listen up GDL drivers, you may have automatically exited the program and be fully licenced with your Class 5.

As of Monday, June 26, the Government of Alberta has automatically graduated drivers 18 and over if they meet the qualifications.

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

However, if demerits or suspensions have happened over the past 12 months, then you won’t be graduated yet.

The government estimates this will save motorists $154 by not having to do a test.

Drivers won’t have to file to get a new licence card, either. They can wait until their current one expires, or choose to upgrade right away.

If police stop the driver in Alberta, the officer will know they have a full licence through information in the Canadian Police Information Centre.

But, if you are used to travelling out of province, it’s a good idea to upgrade, or keep the graduation letter handy. Law enforcement agencies outside Alberta may not have access to Alberta’s data, the government says. 

“GDL was an expensive, duplicative licensing scheme that discriminated against good young drivers,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors, in a press release on Monday. 

“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.”