[Deegee]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

What's "the GDL"?

21. What are the differences between holding the class 5GDL and a full class 5 licence? Specifically, what are the restrictions?
The main differences are:

1. A lower demerit point allowance, 8 versus 15. If an individual is a careful, law-abiding driver and does not receive traffic tickets (i.e. speeding, etc.), then the demerit totals are not an issue since demerits are only deducted when you are caught breaking the law.
2. Zero alcohol tolerance. Zero alcohol tolerance means that you cannot drive with any amount of alcohol in your blood stream, whereas a full class 5 can operate a vehicle as long as they are under the legal limit of alcohol concentration in the blood. So, if an individual never drinks and drives, the zero alcohol tolerance is also not an issue.
3. The other restrictions are minor: You cannot be the accompanying (supervising) driver to an individual driving with a class 7 (learners) licence. You cannot upgrade to a professional class licence (drive a semi, ambulance, taxi or large three-axel vehicle). If you drive only regular passenger vehicles (two axels), such as a car, truck, minivan, SUV, etc., then this is also not an issue for you.

So the bottom line is, if you are a safe and law-abiding driver, the class 5GDL licence will serve you just as well as a full class 5 drivers licence.

http://www.servicealberta.gov.ab.ca/672.cfm

You must hold your learners for 1 year (I think) and a Class 5 GDL for 2 years.

Then you take an advanced test to get your full Class 5.