GDL Driving Test

[STeeLy]

I don't know if any of you have done the road test to get your GDL, or you've all got your driving license before they changed the system.

Is there anything specific that they need you to do, what they take you through that sort of thing?

I know from various people that they will test parallel parking, uphill and/or downhill parking, perpendicular parking. They will have you do lane changes, take you through controlled and uncontrolled intersections, playground and/or school zones.

I know what I need to do with what I mentioned above. Is there any sort of tips or anything else that the examiner would test you on?

[RW99]

I took it a week ago. You pretty much covered it. Be careful of pedestrians throughout and oncoming cars when you're doing parallel parking. Mine tried talking to me to calm me but all it did was distract me

Mine also made a mistake and got me to turn left when I was only 30 metres from the intersection and in the right lane. I think he was nice on me becase of that.

[flamesfan6]

for getting the one after gdl.. i heard there is no parking.. is that true?

[OilersBaby]

whats GDL?

[MonsieurFish]

GDL is the class 5 license you can get after having your regular class 7 license for a year, correct? anyone know the benefits of the GDL?

[STeeLy]

GDL is as pretty much a class 5 but with restrictions...

A lower (if not 0%) alcohol level, less demerit points... I think there's more.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

GDL is as pretty much a class 5 but with restrictions...

A lower (if not 0%) alcohol level, less demerit points... I think there's more.

There are time restrictions on when you can drive I believe.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

There are time restrictions on when you can drive I believe.

i don't think so....

Am I restricted to daytime driving during the probationary period?

No. There is no restriction as to when you drive during this stage, only during the learner license stage.

http://www.ama.ab.ca/cps/rde/xchg/am...ation.htm#3976

I've never seen a time restriction other than the learners license

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Boblobla

There are time restrictions on when you can drive I believe.

I think it used to be 12 AM - 5AM that GDL drivers couldn't drive, but they lifted that restriction... should it have been in place at first since I did read about that when the GDL first came out.

[OilersBaby]

so why would someone get a GDL vs a regular drivers license?

[ShaolinFlame]

So weak.

I am pretty sure I could drink and drive (below the legal limit of course) before I could drink.

(OilersBaby - You have no choice)

[Philly06Cup]

From the lecture I got from my Driving instructor, there are three stages: GDL, Probation, and Learners.

First you get your learners. That's the multiple choice test.

If you pass, you get a class 7 license. Then you have to wait 1 year, before you can take a test for your class 5 GDL.

This is the driving test with parking -- parallel + uphill/downhill, school zones, etc.

If you pass this driving test, you get a GDL license, and get put on 'Probation' for 2 years.

During probation, there is a strict 0% alcohol limit; you get 8 demerit points, and you have a curfew such that from 12am to 5am, you cannot have any passengers in your vehicle while driving.

After two years, you get put off 'Probation,' which means the curfew is lifted, but you still only have 8 demerits, and a 0% alcohol limit. You will then get a letter in the mail, sayin that you are now enabled to take your GDL test, to get a new license that doesn't say GDL on it.

This second test has no parking in it (Yes, I've taken it, I'm sure) -- it primarily focuses on high-speed merging. Most likely merging onto Deerfoot. It's a pretty easy test.

If you pass this second test, then you finally have a full license. Congrats.

[koop]

[QUOTE=Philly06Cup;1378764]
During probation, there is a strict 0% alcohol limit; you get 8 demerit points, and you have a curfew such that from 12am to 5am, you cannot have any passengers in your vehicle while driving.

I think the rule is you can't have more passengers than seat-belts, which always seemed odd to me because I don't think that's legal with any license. I could have taken this stupid test a year ago, but really it's just a waste of time and money.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by OilersBaby

so why would someone get a GDL vs a regular drivers license?

because you HAVE to get a GDL.

Learners - GDL - regular license

there is no option

[flamesfan6]

this is what i think the rules are:
http://www.saferoads.com/drivers/drivers_gdl_qa.html

Conditions for Drivers in the Learner Stage

• Must hold a Learner's Licence (Class 7) for at least one year to be eligible to move to the next stage
• Must be accompanied by a fully licensed (non-probationary) driver who is 18 years of age or older and is seated next to the driver
• Not permitted to drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
• May not have more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle
• Will have your operator’s licence suspended at 8 demerits
• Zero alcohol tolerance

To become a Probationary driver you must:

• be 16 years of age or older, and
• pass the basic Alberta road test.

Conditions for Drivers in the Probationary Stage

• Must spend a minimum of two years as a probationary driver to be eligible to move to the next stage
• May not have more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle
• Will have your operator’s licence suspended at 8 demerits
• Zero alcohol tolerance
• May not re-class to a commercial operator’s licence
• May not serve as an accompanying driver to a learner

To become a fully licensed driver (Class 5) you must:

• not have had your operator’s licence suspended or cancelled for the last 12 months of the two year probationary stage, and
• pass an advanced road test.

[koop]

[*]May not have more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle

So how many more passengers than seat-belts are you allowed with a regular license?

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by koop

So how many more passengers than seat-belts are you allowed with a regular license?

i'm guessing 0

[koop]

Originally Posted by flamesfan6

i'm guessing 0

That's what I thought. So did they just add it because they didn't feel they had enough conditions?

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by koop

So how many more passengers than seat-belts are you allowed with a regular license?

I always wonder why they put that condition in...

[Robbob]

They probably put it in so the youngsters don't throw load up their vehicles on their lunch breaks. Plus it really does give a black/white no grey area reasoning to suspend a license if that item is specifically mentioned and they break that rule.