Alberta GDL Rules 2026: All 5 Class 7 Restrictions Explained
February 12, 2026 · 5 min read · Pass Your Learner's Team
A Class 7 licence is a learner's licence under Alberta's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. These are the rules you must follow while you hold it — and several questions on the knowledge test come straight from this list.
The five Class 7 restrictions
- A supervising driver must sit beside you — fully licensed (non-GDL), age 18 or older.
- No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.
- Zero alcohol and zero drugs while driving — no exceptions, regardless of your age.
- You may carry only as many passengers as there are seat belts, with your supervisor in the front seat.
- Suspension kicks in at 8 demerit points in two years (fully licensed drivers get 15).
Do GDL rules still apply if you're over 18?
Yes. GDL is based on your licence stage, not your age. A 30-year-old with a Class 7 learner's licence follows exactly the same rules as a 14-year-old: supervisor beside you, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and zero alcohol.
What happens if you break a GDL condition?
Driving outside your conditions — no supervisor, during the night ban, or with any alcohol — can mean fines, demerit points, and licence suspension. Because the GDL demerit threshold is only 8 points, a single bad traffic stop can put your licence at risk. A suspension also resets your progress toward the Class 5 road test.
Moving up to a Class 5
You must hold your Class 7 for at least one year before taking the Class 5 (GDL) road test. Keeping a clean record during that year keeps you on track.
Knowing these rules cold isn't just about driving safely — the test asks about the demerit limit, the supervising driver, and the night restriction directly. Drill them until they're automatic.