I am posting a response of my enquiry to Service Alberta regarding reciprocal driver licensing below for the benefit of all. I also called one of the listed Registry Agent who confirmed to me that I can exchange a full UK licence for Stage 2 of the GDL (probationary). At least this allows me to drive independently! Here's the quote:
"Thank you for your inquiry.
A holder of a valid operator's licence issued anywhere
outside Alberta is required by legislation to apply for
an Alberta driver licence within 90 days of becoming a
resident in Alberta.
When an application is being made for an Alberta licence,
the licence from outside of Canada must be surrendered.
A valid licence from a country that has a Reciprocal Licensing
Agreement with Alberta, like Scotland, can be exchanged for a
Class 5 licence when the applicant presents a valid licence of
equivalent class.
Alberta will take in consideration a person's driving
experience from another reciprocal country, as long as the
licence is not a learner's licence. If the driver's licence does not
have an issue date on the card, then we suggest that you
bring a confirmation letter from the country's issuing authority
to show how long you have been driving for. Recognition of
previous experience will be given to drivers so they have an
alternative to the three-year Graduated Driver Licensing
program that was developed to extend the learning stage for
new drivers.
For more information please refer to the following links on
Alberta's Reciprocal / Non-Reciprocal Agreement:
http://www.servicealberta.ca/1671.cfm#JM_AllOtherCountries
A person must be able to prove legal presence in Alberta.
Proof of legal presence may be considered in determining
if a client is lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada.
The following are examples of legal presence documents:
- Valid Canadian passport.
- Provincial/Territorial Government issued birth certificate.
- Canadian Indian Status Card (Federal government issued).
- Record of Landing.
- Permanent Resident Card.
- Canadian Citizenship Certificate.
- Student Authorization (Federal government issued).
- Employment Authorization (Federal government issued).
- Visitor Record (Federal government issued). Issued to
missionaries authorized to drive, or Out of country spouses
of Canadian citizens and Alberta residents (proof of marriage
required).
To obtain an Alberta licence, a person is required to personally
attend any one of the Registry Agent offices.
A list of Registry Agents is available on our
website at: http://www.servicealberta.ca/617.cfm
A medical examination and vision screening
may be required if:
- your medical history indicates that such is warranted, or
- when a person reaches age 75.
Dependent on particular circumstances, testing may
also be required. To obtain a commercial licence,
testing is mandatory (Road and Knowledge testing).
Acceptable identification and proof of Alberta residency
are required.
Some examples of acceptable identification:
- Canadian Birth Certificate.
- Canadian Armed Forces Identification Card.
- Valid Canadian Passport.
- Valid foreign Passport with appropriate Immigration documents.
- Municipal, Provincial or Federal Police Force Identification.
- Permanent Resident Card.
- Citizenship Certificate.
- Temporary Resident Permit.
- Certificate of Indian Status Card (Federal issued).
-Métis Nations of Alberta Card (new version).
Métis ID number is displayed on the face of the card.
(The card contains water mark features).
Applicants originating from outside Canada must present
immigration documents in addition to identification.
Some examples to prove residency include:
- Utility, telephone, gas or cable TV bill in client's name.
- Current bank and/or credit card statements.
- Mortgage documents or residential lease containing a
client's physical address.
- Income tax return.
- Written confirmation of employment (including contact name
and telephone number).
- Written confirmation from an educational institution in
- Alberta indicating dependents are attending school.
- Alberta Social benefits documents.
- Land Title documents.
It is the responsibility of a Registry agent to verify
the residency documents presented by a client applying
for a Motor Vehicle service. Neither temporary documents
nor photocopies of documents can be accepted.
If you have further questions please contact:
Ministry of Service Alberta
Box 3140
Edmonton AB T5J 2G7
Phone: (780) 427-7013
for toll-free access within Alberta first dial 310-0000
Email: mv@gov.ab.ca
Visit our website at www.servicealberta.ca
for comprehensive registries and consumer information and
services."
