Identification and Residency Requirements

Identification Requirements

When you apply for a motor vehicle service, your registry agent must verify your identity through a stricter identity confirmation process.

A registry agent will require information to satisfy the following three categories. Expired documents will not be accepted. At least one of these documents must also prove that you are legally permitted to be in Canada.

Who You Are

Photo documents must contain your legal name and date of birth. Some examples of primary photo identification are (this is not an all inclusive list):

  • Alberta operator's licence or identification card 
     
  • Photo driver's licence (from another jurisdiction) 

What You Have

Support documents that contain two data elements such as name, date of birth, signature, address, etc. At least one of these documents must show that you live in Alberta and have a residence here. Some examples of support documents are (this is not an all inclusive list):  

  • Birth or Marriage Certificate (original or certified)

  • Credit, Debit or Account Card  (must contain 2 data elements)

  • Work Visa, Student Visa, Permanent Resident Card

Some examples of unacceptable support documents are (this is not an all inclusive list):

  • Interim/temporary driver's licence

  • Business cards

  • Video membership cards

What You Know

Verification of personal information against the Motor Vehicles System; your address, postal code, previous address, vehicle registrations, telephone number, etc.

All documents presented must be originals or certified copies (for vital statistics documents). Photocopies will NOT be accepted.

 

Residency Requirements

In order to obtain an Alberta driver’s licence or identification card, you must provide proof (i.e. work visa, permanent resident card) that you are lawfully entitled to be in Canada and proof (letter from Alberta based employer, utility bills with your name and Alberta address) that you are an Alberta resident. A registry agent cannot issue your driver’s licence or identification card unless they are satisfied that you are a legal resident of Alberta.

Please note that it is a criminal offence to provide false information on a driver’s licence or identification card application.

Alberta can cancel a driver’s licence or identification card if it is determined that the application contained misrepresentation, false information or inaccuracies:

  • If you are a new resident in Alberta, you must obtain an Alberta driver’s licence within 90 days of moving to the province, regardless of whether you travel outside Alberta during those 90 days

  • If you are working in Alberta but have your residence outside the province, you may continue to use the valid licence from your home jurisdiction

  • If you are visiting Alberta, you may use your valid licence from your home jurisdiction as long as you have a legitimate residence there and do not take up residency in Alberta

  • If you are visiting Alberta from outside Canada and using an International Driving Permit (IDP), you may drive in Alberta for up to 12 months using the IDP in conjunction with your valid home jurisdiction licence

  • If you are staying in Alberta as a full time student or you are working here as part of a co-op program of study, you may use your valid driver’s licence from your home jurisdiction