Renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your licence type and expiry date
Alberta lets you renew your driver's licence through three routes: online at the Service Alberta website, by mail, or at a registry office in person. Which one you can use depends on whether your licence is a Class 5 (standard car licence), whether it has expired, and how long it has been expired. Most people renew online because it is the fastest and cheapest option — you pay the fee, upload a new photo if needed, and your digital licence arrives by email within days. If your licence expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a registry office and may need to retake the written test.
The renewal fee varies by licence class and how many years you are renewing for. A Class 5 licence typically costs between $90 and $150 depending on whether you choose a one-year, two-year, three-year, or five-year renewal. You can pay by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer depending on which method you use to renew.
Key Takeaways
- Class 5 licences that have not expired or expired less than two years ago can be renewed online through the Service Alberta website without visiting a registry office.
- You will need a valid email address, your current licence number, and a digital photo that meets Alberta's requirements (plain background, face clearly visible, taken within the last six months).
- Online renewal takes three to five business days for your digital licence to arrive by email; a physical card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
- If your licence expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person at a registry office and may be required to pass the written knowledge test again.
- Mail renewal is available but slower than online; you send your current licence, a new photo, and a cheque or money order to Service Alberta.
Renewing online through Service Alberta
The online renewal process through Service Alberta's website is the most common route for Alberta drivers. You log in with your email address and current licence number, confirm your personal information, upload a new photo if your current one is older than six months, and select how many years you want to renew for. The system then calculates your fee and lets you pay by credit card or debit card. You receive a digital licence by email within three to five business days, and a physical card arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
Your photo must meet specific requirements: it must be a colour photo taken within the last six months, show your face clearly and straight-on, have a plain light background (white or off-white), and be between 35 mm and 45 mm wide. You can take the photo yourself using a smartphone camera as long as it meets these standards. If your current photo on file is less than six months old, you can skip uploading a new one and use the existing photo.
Online renewal is only available if your Class 5 licence has not expired or expired less than two years ago. If your licence expired more than two years ago, the online system will not let you complete the renewal and will direct you to renew in person instead.
Renewing in person at a registry office
You can renew your licence at any registry office in Alberta, whether your licence is current or expired. Bring your current licence, proof of Alberta residency (such as a utility bill or lease agreement dated within the last three months), and a new photo that meets Alberta's requirements. You do not need an appointment at most registry offices, but some locations accept bookings online through the Service Alberta website. Wait times vary by location and time of day; calling ahead can tell you how busy a particular office is.
If your licence expired more than two years ago, the registry staff will ask you to complete the written knowledge test before they issue your renewal. This is the same test you took when you first got your licence. You can study using the Alberta Driver's Handbook, which is free on the Service Alberta website. If you fail the test, you can retake it the same day or return another time at no extra charge.
In-person renewal is also required if you need to change your name, address, or other personal information on your licence, or if you want to upgrade to a different licence class. Payment at the registry office can be made by cash, debit card, credit card, or cheque.
Renewing by mail
Mail renewal is slower than online or in-person renewal but works if you prefer not to visit a registry office or do not have reliable internet access. You send your current licence, a new photo meeting Alberta's requirements, and a completed renewal form to Service Alberta. The form is available on the Service Alberta website or by calling 780-427-8724. You must also include payment by cheque or money order made out to the Government of Alberta.
Mail renewal takes four to six weeks from the time Service Alberta receives your package. Your physical licence card will arrive by mail after that. You do not receive a digital licence through the mail renewal process, so if you need to drive before your physical card arrives, you should renew online or in person instead.
Mail renewal is not available if your licence expired more than two years ago. If your licence is that far expired, you must renew in person at a registry office.
What happens if your licence has expired
You cannot legally drive in Alberta with an expired licence, even if you have submitted a renewal process. However, you can drive to a registry office to renew your licence in person — Alberta law allows this specific trip. If your licence expired less than two years ago, you can also renew online or by mail without visiting a registry office.
If your licence expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and will need to retake the written test. This is treated as a retest rather than a new licence process, so you do not need to pay the full new-driver fee — you pay only the renewal fee. However, if your licence has been expired for more than five years, Service Alberta may require you to take both the written test and the road test, as if you were a new driver. Contact a registry office to confirm what is required in your specific situation.
Renewing a commercial or air brake licence
If you hold a Class 1, 2, 3, or 4 licence (commercial licences) or an air brake endorsement, you cannot renew online. You must renew in person at a registry office. Bring your current licence, proof of residency, and a new photo. Depending on your licence class and how long it has been since your last medical exam, you may also need to provide a current medical report completed by a doctor or nurse practitioner. Commercial licences have stricter medical requirements than Class 5 licences.
Commercial licence renewal fees are higher than Class 5 fees and vary by class. Contact a registry office or check the Service Alberta website for the current fee for your specific licence class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with a digital licence while I wait for my physical card?
Yes. Your digital licence arrives by email within three to five business days of online renewal and is valid for driving when ready. You can show it on your phone to a police officer if you are stopped. Your physical card arrives by mail within two to three weeks, but you do not need to wait for it.
What if my photo does not meet Alberta's requirements?
If you upload a photo that does not meet the standards, the online system will reject it and ask you to upload a different one. If you are renewing in person or by mail, the registry staff or Service Alberta will contact you to ask for a new photo before they process your renewal.
Do I need to renew my licence before it expires?
No. You can renew any time within 12 months before your expiry date, or after it expires. However, you cannot legally drive with an expired licence, so renewing before expiry is the safest option. If you renew after expiry, your new expiry date is calculated from your old expiry date, not from the date you renew.
What if I have changed my name since my last renewal?
You must renew in person at a registry office and bring proof of your name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot change your name through online or mail renewal.
How long does my renewed licence last?
You choose the renewal term when you renew: one year, two years, three years, or five years. A five-year renewal costs more upfront but is cheaper per year than shorter terms. Your new expiry date is printed on your physical card and shown in your digital licence.