You’ve been driving with your Class 5 GDL for a while now, and you’re ready to move up to a full Class 5 license, upgrading removes the restrictions that come with the graduated license and gives you all the privileges of a fully licensed driver. Here’s what you need to know about making that transition.
Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
Before you can even book your advanced road test, you need to meet certain criteria. The most important requirement is time. You must hold your Class 5 GDL for at least two years with no suspensions. If your license was suspended at any point during those two years, the clock starts over from the date it was reinstated.
You also need to have a clean or relatively clean driving record. While minor infractions won’t necessarily disqualify you, accumulating too many demerit points can create problems. GDL holders face suspension at 8 demerit points, and any suspension extends your wait time.
The Advanced Road Test Explained
The test you take to upgrade from GDL to full Class 5 is called the advanced road test. It’s more demanding than the basic road test you took to get your GDL. The examiner expects to see refined driving skills, smooth vehicle control, and confident decision-making in traffic.
Skills Evaluated During the Test
The advanced test covers everything from the basic test plus additional maneuvers. You’ll be evaluated on parallel parking, hill parking with both uphill and downhill scenarios, two-point reverse turns, lane changes in traffic, and highway driving including merging and exiting. The examiner watches how you handle intersections, respond to traffic signals, check mirrors, and interact with other road users.
One of the biggest differences from the basic test is the expectation of independence. During the basic test, examiners make allowances for nervousness and minor hesitation. For the advanced test, they expect you to drive like you’ve been doing this for two years, because you have.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many drivers fail the advanced test because they’ve developed habits that technically work but aren’t up to testing standards. Rolling stops at stop signs, incomplete mirror checks before lane changes, and positioning errors during turns are common reasons for failure. Even if these habits haven’t caused problems in daily driving, they’ll count against you during the test.
Speed management also trips up many test takers. Going too slow can be just as problematic as speeding. Examiners look for drivers who can maintain appropriate speeds for conditions and traffic flow. Driving 40 in a 50 zone without a good reason suggests you’re not confident, and confidence matters for the advanced test.
How to Prepare for the Advanced Test
Brushing Up on Your Skills
Even if you drive every day, taking a refresher lesson or two before the test can help. An instructor can identify any bad habits you’ve picked up and help you correct them before they cost you points. This is especially helpful if you learned to drive informally or haven’t practiced specific maneuvers like parallel parking since your basic test.
Practicing the Test Route
While you won’t know the exact route the examiner will take, practicing in the area around your local registry office helps. Get familiar with the types of roads, intersections, and traffic patterns in that area. Know where the highway on-ramps are and practice merging at those specific locations.
Reviewing the Driver’s Handbook
It sounds basic, but reviewing the Alberta Driver’s Handbook before your test is worthwhile. After two years of driving, you might have forgotten some of the specific rules that the test evaluates. Things like proper following distance, right-of-way rules at uncontrolled intersections, and parking regulations are all fair game.
Booking & Taking the Test
You can book your advanced road test through any Alberta registry agent. You’ll need to bring your current Class 5 GDL, proof of insurance for the vehicle you’ll use during the test, and payment for the test fee. Make sure the vehicle is in good working condition with all lights, signals, and safety equipment functioning properly.
Arrive early on test day. Being rushed or stressed before the test affects your performance. Do a quick walk-around of your vehicle before the examiner arrives to make sure everything looks good.
What Happens If You Fail
Failing the advanced road test isn’t the end of the world. You can retake it after a waiting period, usually 14 days. Use that time to address whatever caused you to fail. If the examiner pointed out specific issues, focus your practice on those areas.
Your GDL remains valid while you wait to retake the test. You can continue driving with the same restrictions as before. There’s no limit on how many times you can attempt the advanced test, though each attempt requires a new fee.
Benefits of the Full Class 5
Once you pass, the GDL restrictions disappear. You can carry as many passengers as your vehicle safely holds at any hour. The zero alcohol rule becomes the standard 0.08 limit that applies to all drivers. Your demerit point threshold increases from 8 to 15, giving you more room for error without facing suspension.
Beyond the legal changes, upgrading to a full Class 5 can affect your insurance rates positively. Some insurers offer better rates to drivers with full licenses, recognizing the additional experience and testing you’ve completed. It’s worth asking your insurance provider about savings once you upgrade.
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