Class 5 license renewal - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Azure · 08-10-2010, 09:35 AM

So, July 23, 2009 I completed my test to graduate from my Class 5 GDL, to a real class 5. Paid $30 for the written part(IIRC), $75 for the driving test, and another $75 to get the actual license. Numbers are approximate because I don't remember exactly what it was.

Now, that was expensive, but the GDL might be a good program considering how many young drivers are reckless and such once they get their license that lets them drive alone.

So I paid it.

Now, Aug 9, 2010, I get a letter from the Alberta government saying I need to renew my class 5 license, as it expires on my birth in Oct. Another $65 down the drain.

The GDL program already required me to drive 2 years as a GOOD driver, without a certain amount of demerits, and I passed that with flying colors. Why the hell do I have to pay another $65 to renew my class 5 license, after having it for only a year?

IMO, its a simple money grab by the government. Because there is no practical reason to make someone renew their class 5 license after 1 year.

CrunchBite · 08-10-2010, 10:06 AM

And you're surprised something the government doing is a money grab?

Azure · 08-10-2010, 10:29 AM

Not surprised at all.

Outside of how they do it. Secretly, in a way where the majority of the people will never notice it.

Ducay · 08-10-2010, 10:32 AM

Pfft. Real men drive Class 1's.

I think renewal date is based on the day you got your original Class 5 GDL. When you got your new non-GDL card, it was more of a replacement card fee than a license renewal.

REDVAN · 08-10-2010, 10:33 AM

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I see to recall getting a learners at 14, a full class 5 at 16 (before the days of gdl...) and then renewing at 21 and 25. I'm hoping they're every 5 years now.

I guess my point is that I got or renewed on: 14, 16, 21, 25. Maybe the gov't is just trying to get you on the 5 year schedule, and isn't purposely trying to steal money from you.

Komskies · 08-10-2010, 10:34 AM

You probably should've just been older and skipped the GDL process.

Azure · 08-10-2010, 10:35 AM

Can't get a class 1 till I got my real class 5.

You need to hold your GDL a minimum of 2 years, IIRC, before you can get your real class 5. So until now it would be 4 years from my GDL, to this most recent renewal.

REDVAN · 08-10-2010, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Pfft. Real men drive Class 1's.

Pinner is that you? LOL how does a 4 way stop work again Pinner?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

I think renewal date is based on the day you got your original Class 5 GDL. When you got your new non-GDL card, it was more of a replacement card fee than a license renewal.

Yeah you're right I think... that's what I mean by the 5 year plan.

IronDave · 08-10-2010, 10:35 AM

Class 6 lets you go real fast! And yes I believe it's a fee to change your license class, not renew at that point.

Azure · 08-10-2010, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDVAN

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

I see to recall getting a learners at 14, a full class 5 at 16 (before the days of gdl...) and then renewing at 21 and 25. I'm hoping they're every 5 years now.

I guess my point is that I got or renewed on: 14, 16, 21, 25. Maybe the gov't is just trying to get you on the 5 year schedule, and isn't purposely trying to steal money from you.

21.

I missed the GDL cutoff by about 6 months. Waited to long to get my learners, and had to go through the whole GDL process.

Whats the difference what schedule I'm on? 5 years is 5 years.

Azure · 08-10-2010, 10:37 AM

Oh, and if I remember correctly, I got my GDL at 18. So at 21 that would be 3 years. Unless they want you on a 5 year schedule starting at age 21.

Something to do with how your renewal process goes once you get older?

getbak · 08-10-2010, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

I think renewal date is based on the day you got your original Class 5 GDL. When you got your new non-GDL card, it was more of a replacement card fee than a license renewal.

No, it's every 5 years on your birthday from when you got your original Class 7 (learners). I got my Class 7 at 15 and my Class 5 at 18, and mine always renews on my ages that end in 5 or 0.

MacDaddy77 · 08-10-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Pfft. Real men drive Class 6's.

I think renewal date is based on the day you got your original Class 5 GDL. When you got your new non-GDL card, it was more of a replacement card fee than a license renewal.

fyp

Azure · 08-10-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getbak

No, it's every 5 years on your birthday from when you got your original Class 7 (learners). I got my Class 7 at 15 and my Class 5 at 18, and mine always renews on my ages that end in 5 or 0.

Ah, that makes more sense.

Still stupid though. From my learners to a full class 5, I must have spent at least $500. Or more. Nevermind if I want to get my class 3 or 1.

Geez.

Jiggy · 08-10-2010, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azure

So, July 23, 2009 I completed my test to graduate from my Class 5 GDL, to a real class 5. Paid $30 for the written part(IIRC), $75 for the driving test, and another $75 to get the actual license. Numbers are approximate because I don't remember exactly what it was.

Now, that was expensive, but the GDL might be a good program considering how many young drivers are reckless and such once they get their license that lets them drive alone.

So I paid it.

Now, Aug 9, 2010, I get a letter from the Alberta government saying I need to renew my class 5 license, as it expires on my birth in Oct. Another $65 down the drain.

The GDL program already required me to drive 2 years as a GOOD driver, without a certain amount of demerits, and I passed that with flying colors. Why the hell do I have to pay another $65 to renew my class 5 license, after having it for only a year?

IMO, its a simple money grab by the government. Because there is no practical reason to make someone renew their class 5 license after 1 year.

Your numbers are off a bit. A written test is 17.60, when you pass it's 64.45 for a learners license. You would have to wait a year before you could go for your first driving test (given that your 16) and that ranges from 70-80. The renewal happens every five years, so that starts from when you first get your learners license, id card, etc.

Ducay · 08-10-2010, 10:50 AM

I think its 5 years from your first Class 5, not from first learners (Class 7).

I got learners at 14, Class 5 at 16 and then had to renew at 21. Next renewal is 26.

REDVAN · 08-10-2010, 11:29 AM

All I know is that I got one at 25.

My parents get them every 5 years on 5 year increments (30, 35, 40, 45 etc)

malcolmk14 · 08-10-2010, 11:35 AM

I got my Class 5 in February 2003 (16 years old).

I renewed my Class 5 in October 2007 (21st birthday), and am due for another renewal in October 2012 (26th birthday).

Sylvanfan · 08-10-2010, 12:50 PM

I renewed my Alberta Drivers license for 5 years back in 2006. I had to give it up when I went to BC in 2008. But now that I'm back in Alberta, and I paid for that license....I wonder if I can get my old one back?

Back in 2001 when I came to Alberta they told me to send my old BC license back and get some money back since I had like 3 years left on my BC Drivers license. Not sure if they'll let me do that this time, I know BC took my Alberta license on the spot, even though I complained that I wanted to get some money back.

Screw you BC you overpriced, tax grabbing province that ruined my life.

getbak · 08-10-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

I renewed my Alberta Drivers license for 5 years back in 2006. I had to give it up when I went to BC in 2008. But now that I'm back in Alberta, and I paid for that license....I wonder if I can get my old one back?

Back in 2001 when I came to Alberta they told me to send my old BC license back and get some money back since I had like 3 years left on my BC Drivers license. Not sure if they'll let me do that this time, I know BC took my Alberta license on the spot, even though I complained that I wanted to get some money back.

Screw you BC you overpriced, tax grabbing province that ruined my life.

I had the same thing happen to me when I moved to Saskatchewan. I had to turn in my Alberta licence in order to get a Saskatchewan one.

Then, I moved back to Alberta a year and a half later, and when I went to the Registry office, the woman asked where my old Licence was. I gave her a confused look and said "I just gave it to you" (because I had handed her my Sask licence) and she said "no, your Alberta licence", so I explained that I gave it up when I moved. So, she issued me a new card, but as far as the Province was concerned, I had never left Alberta and my licence renewal came up on the same 5 year cycle it was on originally.