Alberta Class 7 Driving Restrictions: Solo Driving Ban and Passenger Rules

You cannot drive alone with an Alberta Class 7 learner's licence.

• ✓ Every trip requires a supervising driver in the front passenger seat.
• ✓ The supervisor must be at least 18 years old and hold a full Class 5 driver's licence or higher.
• Driving without this supervision is legally equivalent to driving without a licence.

Mandatory Supervision and Driving Alone

• ✓ Supervising driver requirements: 18+, full Class 5 licence, front passenger seat, alert and sober.
• Penalty for driving alone: Driving alone without a supervisor as a Class 7 learner results in 2 demerit points and a fine under Alberta Traffic Safety Act restrictions. Accumulating 8 total demerit points triggers a one-month licence suspension and restarts your holding period..
• Insurance risk: Causing a collision while unsupervised voids insurance, leaving you personally liable for all damages.

Before every trip, confirm your supervisor has their physical licence card.

A Calgary teen was turned away from his road test because his father, the supervisor for the drive to the registry, had forgotten his wallet and licence at home, causing a costly reschedule.

What You Can and Cannot Do

Your Class 7 licence is a practice permit.

You can drive any standard passenger vehicle, but only under direct supervision and within strict limits.

For Alberta permit process details, see the Alberta permit guide.

Full Alberta permit rules are at the Alberta learner's permit guide.

Visit the Alberta learner's permit guide for step-by-step rules.

• ✓ You CAN: Drive on all public roads, including freeways, with a qualified supervisor.
• ✗ You CANNOT: Drive alone, drive between midnight and 5 AM, have more passengers than seatbelts, or have any alcohol/drugs in your system.
• ✓ A Red Deer learner thought moving his car 50 meters in an empty supermarket parking lot wasn't 'real driving.' A peace officer issued a $421 ticket for unlicensed operation, as the vehicle was on a public parking lot.

Night Driving and Time Restrictions

You cannot drive at night between 12:00 AM (midnight) and 5:00 AM.

• This curfew applies even with a supervising driver present.
• ✗ No exceptions exist for work, school, or emergencies.

• Penalty: 2 demerit points and fines.
• ✓ Practice allowed: You can practice night driving outside the prohibited hours, such as from 8 PM to 11:30 PM.

Passenger and Friend Restrictions

Passenger restrictions for a Class 7 licence are strict.

You can drive with friends in the car only if a qualified supervisor is present and there are enough working seatbelts for everyone.

• Rule: Number of passengers cannot exceed available seatbelts. The supervisor occupies the front passenger seatbelt.
• ✓ Penalty: Carrying passengers without a supervisor results in fines up to $500 and 4 demerit points.

Freeway and Highway Driving

Yes, you can drive on the freeway with an Alberta Class 7 learner's licence, provided all other permit driving rules are followed.

• ✓ Conditions: Qualified supervisor present, obey curfew, zero tolerance for alcohol/drugs.
• ✗ Key skill: You must merge at highway speed. Entering a 110 km/h zone below 90 km/h is dangerous and an automatic fail on a road test.

When practicing highway merges on routes like Deerfoot Trail, have your supervisor watch your blind spot during the shoulder check.

A common test failure in Edmonton is an incomplete head turn; practicing this specific action prevents a quick fail before you even leave the test centre parking lot.

• Driving to School or Work You cannot drive to school alone with a Class 7 licence. ✗ The supervision requirement has no exceptions for school or work commutes. Alberta does not offer a 'school permit.' School zones: Strictly obey 30 km/h limits.
• Fines start at $81 plus 3 demerit points.
• ✓ Drive-thrus: You, as the licensed driver, can operate the vehicle through a drive-thru with your supervisor present.
• The supervisor does not need to place the order.

• Alcohol/Drugs: Any detectable amount (0.00% BAC, 0.00 THC) triggers a 30-day suspension, vehicle seizure, and fines.
• Cell Phones: Using a hand-held device results in a $300 fine and 3 demerit points.
• This includes use while stopped in traffic.
• ✓ Supervisor on phone: If your supervisor is texting while supervising you, they can be ticketed for failing to provide proper supervision.
• You, as the driver, remain responsible for safe vehicle operation.

Penalties and Demerit Points

Violating learner's permit limitations carries severe penalties.

• ✓ Demerit points: Accumulating 8 points triggers a one-month licence suspension and resets your mandatory holding period.
• ✓ Common penalties: Fines ($162 to $625), immediate 30-day suspensions, and vehicle impoundment.
• ✓ Long-term impact: Violations delay your eligibility to take the Class 5 road test.