PARENT AND STUDENT FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
- What happens if I cancel a driving lesson on short notice?
You usually forfeit that lesson and will have to pay to replace that lesson. The instructor is booked for that time with you and nobody else.
Another student could have used the time that you forfeited, but it is often difficult to fill the whole block of time that was booked for you. Therefore, since you are responsible for the time that was allocated for you, you must cover the cost of missed lessons. Ask your school for details and possible exemptions.
- How do I qualify for the driver training certificate?
You must complete a minimum of 15 hours of classroom instruction and pass the written test with 80% or greater; and, complete a minimum of 10 hours in the vehicle with a score of a minimum grade of 7.5 out of 10 or greater.
- How much of an insurance premium reduction do I get for the certificate?
The reduction in your premiums can vary significantly, or, there may be no reduction at all! It is a good idea that you investigate and compare several different insurance agencies.
- What can I do if I have a grievance with the driving school I’m using?
Contact the Director of Driver Training Programs at Alberta Transportation at don.wilson@gov.ab.ca
- My driving instructor recommended that I take more driving lessons, do I have to?
If you’re driving grade is below 7.5 and you do not want the certificate, then no, you don’t have to take more lessons.
If you do not qualify for the certificate with the in-vehicle minimum grade of 7.5 out of 10, you will not receive your certificate so you may need more lessons or hours to bring up your grade. Since becoming a safer, above average driver, is the goal of your driving school, it is highly advisable to trust your instructor’s recommendations as simply bringing you closer to meeting that objective.
- I passed my road test even though I did not qualify for my certificate, do I get my certificate?
No; there was a time when you did, but not anymore. You will have to complete the minimum hours of classroom with test result of 80% or greater, and have a minimum of 10 hours in the vehicle with a final grade of at least 7.5 out of 10.
- An experienced, fully-licenced friend or family member is telling me things that are contradictory to what my driving instructor is telling me, who should I believe?
Everybody that is helping you learn how to drive wants to do their best at giving you the information they think you should know to become a good driver. However, keep in mind that your driving instructor(s) had to meet prescribed, and somewhat rigorous, levels of knowledge and driving ability from Alberta Transportation to become qualified and licenced to teach in Alberta; therefore, try to take the best information from all parties involved in your learning, and don’t be afraid to ask your instructor or school if you need clarification regarding driving issues.
- What is the incentive for passing my advanced road test and exiting Alberta’s basic driver’s licence level?
Other than being bound by the restrictions outlined in the Alberta Basic Driver’s Licence Handbook, you cannot upgrade your licence to a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 which may be required by some professions, such as driving fire trucks, or ambulances.
- Can I bring my spouse, child, or friend along while I am taking driving lessons?
No. Not only for the obvious reason of the potential for distraction, but liability issues require that only registered student(s) and instructors are permitted in the vehicle.
- Can I take a defensive driving course and a professional driver improvement course to get two demerit reduction certificates?
No. You are permitted to apply a demerit reduction certificate just once every two years. You can take the course more often, but, you can only remove a maximum of three demerits at one time; once, every two years.
- Is the certificate that is issued by the driver examiner a valid operator’s licence?
No. Any changes to your licence are not valid until entered into the computer system by a registries agent.
- What class of operator’s licence do I need to operate a motor-home in Alberta?
You can operate a private Class A, B, or C, motorhome in Alberta (and most of North America) with your advance (non-GDL) Class 5 licence.
- My motor-home is equipped with airbrakes, do I need to upgrade my licence to include an airbrake ‘Q’ endorsement?
Yes, now you do. It is usually recommended, and highly advisable, to take an Recreational Vehicle (RV) course if you are unfamiliar driving larger, or heavy, vehicles. The RV dealer may have a list of schools offering this service.
- What do I do if I fail my road test?
You must wait until at least the next day to attempt your road test again.
- When I failed my class 5 road test, it was only for the parallel park, is that all I will have to do when we go out for the next road test?
No. You must complete the entire road test satisfactorily each time you retest.
- Do I have to take driving lessons to qualify for my Alberta Operator’s Licence?
No. You can go for the applicable road test as soon as you have met all the requirements as prescribed in Alberta’s Basic Licence Driver’s Handbook.
- The driving school said one thing, and the registry agent is telling me something different, who do I believe?
Information can change and both the driving schools and registry agents try hard to have accurate, up to date information. Have a look at Alberta Transportation’s website at http://www.saferoads.com/ for other contact info if you have questions that cannot seem to be answered satisfactorily.
- I want to drive a vehicle with a manual (standard) transmission; do I have to drive a manual transmission for my road test?
No. At the present time in Alberta, you can drive manual transmissions after you pass your road test in a vehicle that has an automatic transmission.
- Why do I have to double-clutch when I am driving a heavy (over 4500kgs.) vehicle or bus?
By re-engaging the engine with the transmission (while the transmission is in neutral) the engine speed is allowed to match the transmission speed which allows for a smoother and less stressful shift for the drive train.
- I failed the driving portion of my class 1, 2, or 3 road test, but I passed the pre-trip inspection portion, do I have to do the pre-trip inspection again?
Yes. Whenever you are required to retest, you must complete the entire test just like you are doing the test for the first time.
- My licence has expired, do I have to take the road test again?
After your licence has expired, you have one year to renew it without having to re-qualify for your specific class of licence. Do not forget that it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with an expired licence on public highways.
- Can I operate class 4 vehicles with a class 3 licence?
No. A medical is required to operate Class 1, 2, or 4 vehicles.
- What are the benefits of taking driving lessons from professional, qualified, schools and instructors?
Driving instructors that are licenced in Alberta have had to pass a battery of tests that are much more demanding for knowledge and skill than a simple road test, so therefore, you have a very good chance of getting accurate info and a good start on proper safe driving habits.
- Can I use my own vehicle for driving lessons?
A driver training vehicle (class 5) that is registered to a school must be equipped with a passenger side brake pedal and all driver training vehicles registered to a school must carry a special (non-transferable to privately owned vehicles) insurance.
- Can I learn to operate an airbrake equipped vehicle without acquiring my airbrake endorsement?
Yes, the person accompanying you must have the equivalent class of licence and/or a Q endorsement (airbrake) certificate noted on the licence.
- What is the benefit of having different instructors for my driving lessons?
Because each instructor has his or her own style of instruction, students can benefit from different ideas and suggestions that can help overcome difficult or challenging areas of learning.
- I recently acquired my class 1 operator’s licence, but there is no ‘Q’ on my licence?
With a class 1 licence, the ‘Q’ endorsement is mandatory and the certificate must be produced at the time you upgrade your licence at a registry, and therefore, is not required to be noted on a class 1 licence.
- How much does it cost to take the advanced road test?
Prices can vary significantly. You are advised to, “shop around,” and compare prices.
- I want to attempt my advanced road test; do I need to take lessons?
Up to 90% of candidates are failing their advanced road test on their first attempt! Most of the time those disqualifications are due to bad habits they have acquired for the past two or more years of driving. We all know we are good driver’s, but any drivers do not realize how bad their bad habits are, or how adversely those habits will affect their chances of passing the advanced road test on their first attempt.
Most schools offer “brush-up” lessons to hone skills and identify poor driving habits. Brush-up lessons are not just for the advanced road test, but many people take brush-up lessons to meet employment standards that some companies demand; and, some drivers are honest with themselves and know that they need help to improve or rebuild driving skills and habits.
- How does a demerit reduction certificate work?
When you submit your certificate to a registries agent, up to 3 demerits will be removed from your oldest moving violation.
Your demerit points are removed automatically after two years (from the conviction date), but keep in mind that the moving violation is still listed, and it remains listed, for 3 years from the conviction date.
Because your insurance reduction certificate is good for two years, it could be wise to know the status of your oldest moving violation. For example: you could remove the demerits for a moving violation that will be coming off in the next few weeks anyway; therefore, it would be better to wait for those demerits to reduce, and then, apply the certificate to reduce your demerits a further 3 points.
For those that have clean licences and/or do not need to use the certificate immediately, keep the certificate in a safe location in case you need to reduce demerits within the next two years.
Remember: to use your certificate at a registry agent, it must be the original certificate. Give any third parties a copy of your certificate only.
- How does an insurance premium reduction certificate work?
Many insurance companies that give a reduction in premiums to a new driver, give the certificate the same merit as a driver that has been driving, both moving-violation and collision free for 3 years and will adjust your premiums to reflect that status.
After your first moving violation and/or collision, however, most insurance companies will readjust your premiums back to new driver status and increase premiums to current driving record levels.
Remember: to use your certificate at a registry agent, it must be the original certificate. Give any third parties a copy of your certificate only.
- What happens if I lose my certificate?
You will need to contact the driving school that issued your certificate.
- How often do I have to renew my airbrake endorsement?
You will be qualified for the Q endorsement for as long as you hold a valid licence. If you are letting a class 1 or 2 licence lapse into a class 3…be sure that the ‘Q’ is included on your licence when you renew.
Did I get this one right?
- I think the driving examiner was unfair or unprofessional during the road test; what can I do?
Contact the Director of Driver Training Programs at Alberta Transportation at don.wilson@gov.ab.ca
- Why do I have to perform a satisfactory parallel park for my class 5 road test?
The parallel park is simply one of the skill manoeuvres required on a Basic Driver’s Licence road test. Along with all the other aspects of skills being examined on a road test, you must show you are competent at manoeuvring the vehicle, in reverse, by parallel parking the vehicle.
- Do I have to use the clutch when I am driving a heavy vehicle on a road test?
Unless you can make every shift perfectly, it’s a good idea to use the clutch – points may be deducted for improper use of the clutch or poor shifting. If the clutch was not necessary on every shift, transmission makers would not tell you how to use the clutch on every shift.
- How much is the road test?
Prices can vary significantly, it’s wise to contact a few different road test/driver examiners and compare.
- If a moving violation (e.g. a speeding ticket) is issued while I’m learning to drive, is the driving instructor responsible for the ticket?
The driver of the vehicle is responsible for the ticket. When you acquired your learner’s licence, you proved to the Alberta Government that you had knowledge of the traffic laws you agreed to obey when you signed for your licence, therefore, the driver is the licence to which the moving violation is applied.
- Are insurance companies obligated to provide me with a discount when I pass my driver training course?
No. You are advised to, “shop around,” for the best rates, or even just to ensure the insurance company will recognize or honour the premium reduction certificate.
- I have just moved here from another province; will a registry agent issue an equivalent Alberta Driver’s Licence to replace the one I had?
If you move to Alberta from anywhere else in Canada, you have three months to change your driver’s licence to an Alberta driver’s licence. Additional steps may be required; check here for more info:
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Drivers_Licence.cfm
- I have just moved here from another country where I possessed a valid driver’s licence; will an Alberta Registry Agent issue an equivalent Alberta Driver’s Licence to replace the one I had?
If you move to Alberta from anywhere any other country, you have three months to change your driver’s licence to an Alberta driver’s licence. Additional steps may be required; check here for more info:
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Drivers_Licence.cfm
- I have an Alberta Driver’s Licence but I have a new address, how much time do I have to notify Alberta Transportation (through a registries agent) of the change?
14 days. Check her for more info:
http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/Drivers_Licence.cfm
- Sometimes I see more than just two people (instructor and a student) in the car, is that legal?
The only “extra” riders permitted to ride in the vehicle while a lesson is being conducted are for certain conditions. Sometimes other registered students will “ride along” to observe a lesson and learn more. Instructors that are “in-training” will also ride-along to observe, and also, Alberta Transportation, or another official may ride along to monitor the instructor periodically as is required.
Part of the lesson may also include dropping the previous student off at another location.
- On a road test, can the examiner ask me to do something illegal to try and trick me or test my knowledge?
No. In Alberta, examiners are not permitted to ask you to do anything illegal.
- What’s the difference between a defensive driving course and a professional driver improvement course?
The Defensive Driving Course (DDC) is more often used by Class 5 & 6 licence holders and covers information tailored more for the ‘everyday’ driver.
The Professional Driver Improvement Course (PDIC) is more suited for exactly that, the ‘Professional’ driver that is paid for driving commercial vehicles and is more the the Class 1, 2, 3, or even 4, licence holder. However, most emphasis is placed upon the class 1 operator, but if you drive for a living, with any class of licence, this course would probably be more applicable.
Any class licence holder can enrol and attend any DDC or PDIC course, but remember that you may only use the demerit reduction certificate once every two years. There is also now a PDIC-light vehicle program that some companies can offer which has 3 hours of classroom and 2 hours for practical driving that if successfully completed will provide a 3 demerit reduction.
- Why can’t I take all my in-vehicle lessons in one day?
Lessons that are 2 to 2˝ hours in length are usually the most manageable by the student and the instructor. Part of the learning process also requires time for reflection of the lesson’s events and to process what you have learned.
Either the student and/or the instructor will need a break from the other and either party’s emotions and aggravations before tempers flare.
- If I don’t get a medical to renew my class 1 or 2 licence, what happens?
If you renew your licence without getting a medical, your licence is converted to a Class 3 (single, tandem axle vehicle) which requires no medical to renew. Beware that to change back to a class 1 or 2 licence you will have to re-qualify like you did the first time. For most, it’s better to just keep the one you have now by meeting all the requirements to renew.
You probably know this link already.
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/DriversVehicles.htm
