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Basic Road Test for Class 5 GDL Alberta Driver's License

student driver taking driving test

The Basic Road Test is a 30 minute driving test designed to test your driving skills and knowledge in a variety of common driving situations. The test is challenging and it is important to prepare for the test accordingly.

You can book your road test online or in our office. Note: Road Test fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

The cost for the Basic Road Test is $95  and can be booked online  or in person at our office. The test is the same at every registry in Alberta. Test slots are available 9 am – 6 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am -5 pm  on Saturday and 12 am – 5 pm on Sunday. Car Rental is also available for an extra $75 fee.

Preparation

  1. Even though you likely passed the Knowledge Test some time ago, it’s important to take the time to review the Driver’s Guide to make sure that you are familiar with all of the rules of the road.
  2. Although you are not required to take a driving course before your Road Test, we do recommend that you take a lesson with a certified driving school. Our experience is that people who have trained with a Driving School are better prepared because an experienced Driving Instructor will be able to give you valuable feedback on your driving skills and areas where you are likely to accumulate points or make an error which will result in an automatic disqualification. We don’t recommend any specific driving schools. There are a number of schools listed in our Driving School Directory.
  3. Read Alberta Transportation’s Preparing For Your Road Test guide.

What to Expect During the Road Test

  1. You will come into our office to check in at the Road Test at least 30 minutes before your test time. Please bring your driver’s license with you. If you are using your own car or a car you have borrowed, please bring your vehicle registration and proof of insurance (digital or paper). Double check before your test day to make sure that both are valid and that the name on the registration matches the name on the insurance.
  2. The Driver Examiner will call your name and check your documents.
  3. You will go out to the East Calgary Registry parking lot with the examiner. The examiner will ask you to demonstrate control over the vehicles headlights, wiper blades, brake etc. If you are borrowing a vehicle for the test, we recommend that you take time to familiarize yourself with both the controls and handling of that vehicle.
  4. The examiner will get into the vehicle’s passenger seat and proceed to give you directions. A Basic Road test will take 30 minutes and you should expect to encounter: a variety of traffic signs and signals including yield, stop, lights and railway crossing. You will also be required to adjust speed throughout the test according to posted speed limits and you can expect to drive through at least one playground/school zone.
  5. You will be required to perform parallel parking as well as hill parking. You may not use parking assist. If your vehicle is equipped with cameras, you do not have to turn them off, but you are required to demonstrate parking using all required observations (i.e. turning to look behind or to the side as necessary to ensure safety).
  6. The driver examiner will ask you to change lanes and make both right and left turns. Know the meanings of all traffic signs, signals and pavement markings and obey them consistently. As above, if your vehicle is equipped with cameras, you are still required to perform adequate shoulder checks to ensure safety.

Disqualifications

All Driver Examiners in Alberta work for Alberta Transportation. Alberta Transportation determines how many points are assigned to each error and which errors are automatic disqualifications. The following are common disqualifications. There may be additional disqualifications which are not listed here.

1. Accumulating more than 75 points.

2. Failing to yield as required and another vehicle or pedestrian is affected

3. Committing a traffic light violation:

  • Failing to stop for a red light
  • Failing to stop for a yellow light when able to do so. It is your responsibility to anticipate that the light may change and to adjust speed accordingly
  • Failing to stop completely prior to turning right on a red light.

4. Failing to stop completely for a stop sign

5. Exceeding the speed limit

6. Your tires climb over a curb

7. Lacking caution at an uncontrolled intersection:

  • At an uncontrolled intersection, you must yield to vehicles on the right. This includes “T” intersections. Check for traffic and reduce speed to the point where a stop can be made, if necessary. The appropriate speed is determined by road conditions and visibility obstructions (e.g. hedges, trees, parked vehicles, etc.). If you cannot see approaching traffic, slow down to a speed where you can stop safely, if necessary.

8. Obstructing traffic by:

  • Driving too slowly
  • Failing to proceed as required (being unnecessarily cautious)
  • Otherwise obstructing traffic unnecessarily.

9. Failing to complete a required manoeuver (such as a parallel, hill, or angle park) within three attempts

10. Making contact with another vehicle or object. This includes touching the curb while parallel parking.

11. Lacking sufficient skill and control. This may include:

  • A skill like steering or shifting gears is inadequate
  • The examiner has to intervene to assist or provide advice
  • Driving in the middle of a marked roadway for extended distances

12. Making an unsafe action. This may include:

  • Driving straight through an intersection from a designated turning lane
  • Driving at an unsafe speed for the conditions (conditions may require you to drive below the posted speed limit)
  • Driving on the wrong side of the road

After the Road Test

The test will conclude in the parking lot of East Calgary Registry. The examiner may inform you at the conclusion of the test about your results or you may receive an email notification after the test has concluded. The registry is unable to re-class your license until the Driver Examiner has uploaded the test results from the tablet to the motor vehicle database. In some cases, there may be a delay of around 15 minutes for this to occur.

If you have passed, please proceed directly to the Road Test desk. The Road Test clerk will test your eyes and re-class your license. Please note that this involves having your Class 7 licence shredded and it will take about 2 weeks to receive your new license in the mail. You will receive an interim paper license (no photo) which you can use to drive until your actual license arrives in the mail. The cost is $28.

If you have any complaints or concerns about your Driver Examiner, please contact Alberta Transportation at 403-252-9090.