A Class 4 licence is the step up from a regular Class 5 licence for people who drive other people for a living in Alberta. Taxi and ride for hire drivers need it, and so do ambulance drivers and drivers of smaller buses.

The upgrade is simpler than many expect. You need a full Class 5 licence, a medical report, a vision screening and a passed knowledge test. Since 2023, there is no road test for Class 4.

Below are the requirements and the steps in order. Everything comes from Alberta government pages, the Alberta Commercial Driver's Guide and the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation.

In short

  • Class 4 covers taxis, ambulances and buses that seat up to 24 passengers, plus everything a Class 5 licence allows.1
  • You must be at least 18 and hold a full Class 5 licence, not a graduated (GDL) one.23
  • You need a Driver's Medical Report completed by a physician or nurse practitioner.3
  • You pass a vision screening and a 30 question knowledge test at a registry agent.23
  • A road test has not been required for Class 4 since February 1, 2023.3
Contents
  1. Who needs a Class 4 licence
  2. Age and licence you must hold
  3. Medical report and vision
  4. Knowledge test, no road test
  5. Step by step
  6. Fees
  7. How to prepare
  8. Common questions
  9. Sources

Who needs a Class 4 licence

Under Alberta's Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, a Class 4 licence lets you drive any vehicle a Class 5 holder may drive, a bus with a seating capacity of not more than 24 (excluding the driver), and an ambulance or a taxi.1 If you want to drive a school bus, you also need an S endorsement.3

The same regulation says a Class 5 holder may not drive a motor vehicle that is transporting passengers for hire.1 That is why taxi, limousine and ride for hire drivers need Class 4 (or a higher Class 1 or 2). The guide states it directly: a Class 4 licence is required for a driver operating a vehicle for hire as defined in AR 320/2002.3 For Uber and Lyft drivers, see our article on whether you need a Class 4 licence to drive for Uber.

Driving with the wrong licence class is against the law, and an owner who lets someone drive without the proper class also commits an offence.3

Age and licence you must hold

The minimum age for a Class 4 licence is 18.1 You must hold a full Class 5 licence.2 The guide adds that you may not apply for a commercial licence while you are in the graduated driver licensing (GDL) program.3

If you are new to Alberta and hold a non-GDL Class 5 licence from another Canadian province or territory, there is a 10 day waiting period before you can re-class to Classes 1 to 4, so Alberta can confirm your licence information.3

Medical report and vision

A medical report is required to upgrade to a Class 1, 2 or 4 licence. You can get the form from a physician, a nurse practitioner or an Alberta registry agent, and it must be completed by a physician or a nurse practitioner.3

The medical is not a one time step. To keep a Class 4 licence, you send a new report every five years until age 45, every three years between 45 and 65, and every year after 65.3

A vision assessment is also required before you upgrade.3 The registry agent tests your vision.2 If you do not meet the minimum standard, you are referred to an optometrist or ophthalmologist to complete a Vision Referral form. Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them.3

Knowledge test, no road test

You must pass the knowledge test for the class you are applying for. It is offered at most Alberta registry agent offices.3 The Class 4 test has 30 multiple choice questions, and you need at least 25 correct to pass.3 The details are in our article on the Alberta Class 4 knowledge test.

Since February 1, 2023, a road test is not required to get a Class 4 licence. You still have to meet the vision standard and provide a driver medical report.3 The government's upgrade page also lists a road test only for Classes 1, 2 and 3.2

Step by step

  1. Make sure you are at least 18 and hold a full, non-GDL Class 5 licence.23
  2. Have a physician or nurse practitioner complete the Driver's Medical Report form.32
  3. Go to a registry agent with photo ID, pass the vision screening and pass the knowledge test.2
  4. Buy your new licence card. You get a temporary licence valid for 30 days or until the card arrives.2

If you plan to drive a ride for hire vehicle or a taxi, check the local rules too. Municipalities set their own requirements for taxi and limousine permits.3

Fees

A fee is charged for each knowledge test and for the licence re-classification.3 Registry agents may charge a service fee on top of the government fee. The maximum amounts are listed in the Registry Agent Product Catalogue, which the government links from its upgrade page.2 Ask your registry agent for the current total before you go.

How to prepare

The knowledge test covers the whole Commercial Driver's Guide and the Driver's Guide for cars and light trucks.3 Chapter 7 on transporting people and the Class 4 parts of chapter 6 (ambulances, taxis, limousines and ride for hire) matter most for Class 4 applicants.3

Our Class 4 trainer has practice questions sorted by topic. They are our own questions, written from the Alberta Commercial Driver's Guide 2025, not the real test questions, but they cover the same material.

Start a free practice test or browse all Class 4 questions by topic.

Common questions

Do I need a road test for a Class 4 licence in Alberta?

No. A road test has not been required for Class 4 since February 1, 2023.3

Can I get a Class 4 licence with a Class 5 GDL?

No. You need a full Class 5 licence, and you may not apply while in the GDL program.23

How old do you have to be for a Class 4 licence?

At least 18.1

What can I drive with a Class 4 licence?

Everything a Class 5 holder can drive, plus a taxi, an ambulance and a bus with up to 24 passenger seats.1

How often do I need a new medical?

Every five years until 45, every three years from 45 to 65, then every year.3

Sources

The Commercial Driver's Guide is the Spring 2025 edition. The regulation is the consolidation current as of October 1, 2026.

  1. Alberta King's Printer: Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation, AR 320/2002 (kings-printer.alberta.ca)
  2. Government of Alberta: Obtaining a commercial licence (alberta.ca)
  3. Government of Alberta: Commercial Driver's Guide (Spring 2025) (open.alberta.ca)