Driving and Drivers in Alberta

There are over 181,000 kilometers of public roads in Alberta. The Yellowhead Highway (Winnipeg-Edmonton-Prince Rupert-Vancouver) and Highway 2 (USA-Calgary-Red Deer-Edmonton-North Alberta) are the two main roads that serve Alberta. If you are considering making Alberta your home or planning on traveling throughout the province for business or pleasure, you should be aware of the many rules and features associated with driving on Alberta’s roads.

To drive in Alberta, one is required to have a driver’s license. You can apply for a learner’s license from age 14. There are seven classes of license in Alberta. Class 7 is the learner's license. To obtain a driver’s license, you will not only have to pass a road driving test, but also a vision and written test. Once you have obtained a driver’s license, you are legally mandated to obey all of Alberta’s traffic laws. If you are caught violating traffic laws such as speeding, you will be fined. Alberta Highways have a speed limit of 100 km/h (62 mph). The exception is in the Rocky Mountain National Parks which have speed limits of 90 km/h (56 mph) because of the high number of wildlife crossings the roads. Most rural highways and roads have a speed limit of 80 km/h (50 mph).

It is important to note that infant car seats are mandatory in Alberta. As well, a new law is planned that will ban distracting activities while driving. Distracting activities can include talking on a cell phone, texting, shaving …etc. Statistics have revealed that “driver error was a factor in 90% of 158,055 Alberta crashes last year.” As well, according to the province's Transportation Ministry, “rural highways and streets were the site of 70 per cent of the 376 fatal collisions in Alberta last year.”

In Alberta, the Traffic Safety Act and regulations under the Act cover driver training and driver examinations, demerit points, inspections, and commercial vehicles. Alberta requires vehicle safety inspections for all vehicles on the road.

All motor vehicles and trailers in Alberta have to be licensed before they are allowed on the road. As well, all motor vehicles in Alberta must have a public liability insurance policy. The minimum liability insurance in Alberta is $200,000. You are required to have proof of your insurance when registering a vehicle.

Alberta has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program to license new drivers. The purpose of the program is to help new drivers acquire the skills and experience required for driving a vehicle safely. Driver licenses from all countries are valid in Alberta for up to three months. An International Driving Permit that can be acquired in one’s native country is valid in Alberta for one year.

The Alberta Government recommends that drivers have snow tires when traveling in the province in late fall, winter, or spring. They also suggest that drivers should have anti-freeze, warm clothing, and food and water when crossing through mountain passes.

Alberta is a great place to travel by car. It contains diverse scenery such as the Rocky Mountains, Banff National Park, many beautiful open spaces, and much more. When traveling by car in Alberta, it is important to be aware of the province’s driving rules and regulations.