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The Complete Guide to Driver’s License Renewal in Calgary

Is your drivers’ license nearing its expiration date? Don’t wait until it’s too late because renewing past the deadline can be an even bigger hassle.

So, here’s a complete guide to achieving driver’s license renewal in Calgary. You’ll find everything — lists of potential costs, detailed steps, answers to FAQs, and even the best registry agencies in Calgary.

How Much Does Drivers License Renewal in Calgary Cost?

Here are the costs to expect depending on how long your license will last. Remember, license duration varies depending on your age, medical status, and class of license.

Duration of licenseRequired government feesMaximum service charge
1 year$16$10
2 years$32$11
3 years$48$12
4 years$64$13
5 years$80$13

Here are other costs you may encounter when moving to Alberta or when reclassifying your license:

Type of serviceRequired government feesMaximum service charge
Driver’s license duplication or exchange$15$13
Reclassification$15$13
Reinstatement (with alcohol consumption case)$200$9
Reinstatement (without alcohol consumption case)$50$9

All of these costs are dictated by the Alberta Registry Agent Product Catalogue.

How to Renew Your Drivers License in Calgary

You came here to know how to renew your driver’s license the most efficient way. So, here’s a complete step-by-step guide to help you out.

For Permanent Residents

Here’s how you can renew your driver’s license if you’re a permanent resident in Calgary.

  1. Find a registry agency. If you don’t know any, you can check out our picks in the next section.
  2. Prepare your documents. Bring original or certified copies as photocopies aren’t accepted.
    1. Your old driver’s license.
    2. Proof of legal entitlement to Canada.
      • Birth certificate
      • Passport
      • Canadian Citizenship Certificate/Card
      • Work or study permit
      • Any idea from the national government
      • Refugee Protection Claimant Document
    3. Proof of residency in Alberta
      • Utility bills
      • Lease agreements
      • Insurance billing
      • Alberta social benefits statements
      • Credit card statements
      • Income tax assessment summaries
    4. A medical examination if you have a medical condition, are above age 75 years old, or have a professional driver’s license for Class 1, 2, and 4.
    5. A new picture if you haven’t taken a picture in the last four years or more
  3. Visit the registry agent and pass your documents.
  4. Pass a written knowledge test and road test. Skip this step if your renewal is within 3 years of your license’s expiration date.
  5. Wait for your new license in the mail. In the meantime, you should use the temporary license from the registry agency. Bring a valid ID with a picture as temporary licenses don’t have pictures.
  6. If your permanent license doesn’t arrive within 21 days, call your registry. They may give you your license or give you another 30-day temporary license free of charge.

For Temporary Residents

However, if you’re living in Calgary temporarily, say as a visitor, student, or even temporary foreign worker, then you should get a temporary driver’s license.

Now, if you need driver’s license renewal in Calgary because you plan on living in Alberta permanently, here’s what you should do:

  1. Exchange your license with an Alberta driver’s license. Do this within 90 days of your move.
    1. If you have a Class 3, 4, 5, or 6 licenses, you’ll get the equivalent Alberta driver’s license.
    2. If you have less than 2 years of driving experience, you may need to undergo the graduated driver’s license (GDL) program. You’ll need to pass an advanced road test for this.
    3. Class 1 and 2 licenses have special exchange conditions, depending on where you got your previous license.
  2. Take a road test and a knowledge test.
    1. If you have a Class 5 or Class 6 driver’s license from these countries, you can skip this step:
      • Australia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • France
      • Germany
      • Isle of Man
      • Japan
      • Netherlands
      • Republic of Ireland
      • Republic of Korea
      • Switzerland
      • Taiwan
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
    2. If not, you’ll have to pass the test.
  3. Surrender provincial, territorial, and even professional class driver’s licenses.
  4. Provide proof of residence in Alberta and Canada.

Now that you know what to do, it’s time you get to know registry agencies you can approach for the best driver’s license renewal in Calgary.

The Best License Registry Agents in Calgary

Here are the registry agencies that can give you a hassle-free license renewal process.

1.   Registry Express

registry-express
SERVICESLicense renewal, road tests, driver’s abstract, license replacement, temporary license
WEBSITEhttp://www.registryexpressinc.ca/
ADDRESS1632 14 Ave NW #1841, Calgary, AB T2N 1M7
CONTACT DETAILS(403) 282-3820
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

If you want the best driver’s license renewal in Calgary that’s also super fast, then the Registry Express should be your pick. This registry has been serving Calgary for over 25 years, thus knowing the ins and outs of the process of registration and renewals.

Registry Express also helps Calgarians who need to change their address or name in their license. Furthermore, this registry office accepts requests from temporary residents.

It achieves fast services by having an online form that clients can simply answer before visiting the registry office.

Of course, you’d still need to visit Registry Express’s location for the actual renewal, but the wait times will then be shorter with the online forms. And luckily, Registry Express has operating hours extending as late as early evenings to cater to those with busy schedules.

Unfortunately, Registry Express is only open on weekdays and Saturdays.

To add to this con, we’ve read complaints about its road test services and examiners. Luckily, even low-star reviews seemed to praise Registry Express’s administrative staff and processes.

Pros

  • Online pre-application for convenience
  • Offers simple change of name and address in license
  • Extended working hours
  • Accepts license replacement and temporary license requests

Cons

  • Unavailable on Sundays
  • Some complaints about road test examiners

Customer Reviews

Here are some customer testimonials to help you manage your expectations should you choose Registry Express for your license renewal:

“Don’t let the exterior fool you, very friendly and efficient service. Had my driver’s license renewed in less than 5 minutes with no wait.”—Neil Alexander

As a newcomer to Calgary, my experience here was pleasant and efficient. I went there with the intention of swapping my existing driver’s license but the agent who worked with me even assisted with the health insurance application. I did not spend more than 20 mins from start to finish. Once you have all your documents in order, the process is smooth and effortless.”—Harold Abaidoo-Ayin

“I had to renew my driver’s license when I was out of province. I called several other spots in Calgary which did not deliver, and Registry Express gave me what I need quickly and efficiently. Excellent service!”—David Menh

2.   East Calgary Registry

east-calgary-registry
SERVICESRoad test, license renewal, address and name change, drivers’ abstract, fine payments, out-of-province drivers, license reinstatement, plate renewal
WEBSITEhttps://www.eastcalgaryregistry.com/
ADDRESS 1440 52 St NE #244, Calgary, AB T2A 4T8
CONTACT DETAILS(403) 272-5513 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

East Calgary Registry is yet another full-service registry offering vehicle registration, driver licensing, and business incorporations.

This registry accepts requests from any Calgarian, even currently out-of-province applicants. Do know that out-of-province applicants should mail the payment as East Calgary Registry can’t ask for credit card details.

Additionally, East Calgary Registry offers plate renewal services for a true one-stop-shop experience.

Those whose licenses have long expired can also use East Calgary Registry’s online database of driving schools. There, you can set your preference for driving instructor gender and language proficiency.

We also find this registry applicable for those who need road tests as its reviews boast of test instructors with clear instructions and a friendly approach.

Additionally, East Calgary Registry offers accessibility by having staff and examiners proficient in other languages, namely Spanish, French, Bosnian, Serbian, Spanish, Croatian, Vietnamese, Urdu, Pashto, Punjabi, Hindi, Tagalog, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

East Calgary Registry is even open 7 days a week for convenience. Unfortunately, it usually closes as early as 5 PM.

Pros

  • Accepts out-of-province applications
  • All week availability
  • Connections and online forms for driving school
  • Multilingual services

Cons

  • Relatively early closing hours
  • Only accepts cash for out-of-province applicants

Customer Reviews

Here are some reviews that show just how much customers appreciated the registry’s honest yet professional services:

“Went to renew my vehicles registration, -28c outside, was greeted @ the door by an employee – name, phone # taken & was able to get served within a minute of arrival. The actual renewal process took a little longer than I expected even though I had all the required paperwork/documentation (insurance, drivers license, renewal forms).  Overall very happy with the process.”—Gary Bonish

“Great customer service! Staff was very welcoming, friendly and courteous. They helped my father with his renewal and left him with a great impression. Highly recommend for all your registry needs!”—Franceaz Elman-Ford

3.   New Urban Registry

new-urban-registry
SERVICESRoad test, license renewal, license exchange, vehicle renewal
WEBSITEhttps://newurbanregistry.com/
ADDRESS1138 10 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0B6
CONTACT DETAILS(403) 262-9999 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Wednesday, Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

New Urban Registry handles all types of registrations, including driver and motor vehicles land titles, corporate, personal property, and even provincial health insurance.

When it comes to driver’s licenses, this registry does license renewals and exchanges alike. For exchanges, New Urban Registry even accepts out-of-province applicants and US drivers.

New Urban Registry also has other services for fingerprinting, notary, and even passport photos. These are especially useful since you’ll need passport photos as identification while you’re still using your temporary license.

Aside from services, we also like that New Urban Registry is open from Monday to Sunday. Additionally, we find it useful that this registry office offers free parking.

More importantly, New Urban Registry offers reminder services so you can avoid renewing past your license’s expiration date. You can even choose whether to receive email or SMS reminders.

The only thing we don’t find the best about New Urban Registry is that its online forms are only for requesting service, and not for scheduling or finalizing payment options. Additionally, it doesn’t have simple services such as changing of address or name in the license.

Pros

  • All week availability
  • Free parking
  • Renewal reminder service
  • Accepts out-of-province exchanges
  • Additional services

Cons

  • Relatively early closing hours
  • Non-detailed online forms
  • No simple address and name change

Customer Reviews

Read these reviews to know more about New Urban registry’s license renewal services:

“I recently visited new urban registry to renew my license. I had an exceptional experience – the staff were extremely helpful and efficient and my request was processed very quickly – I would highly recommend this registry to any individual that requires this service or something similar. And, they have some small toys that were great for keeping my 2 year old occupied!”—Gina Marie Thornton

“Renewed my licence here the other day and it was a seamless experience. Staff were professional. They accept credit card as payment but they have a proportional fee depending on how much you are paying. For example: if your payment is $50 or less then the fee is $2 but its $3 if you are between $50-$100 and then it increases after that.”—Colin Bradley

4.   Northeast Registries-Taradale

northeast-registries-taradale
SERVICESLicense registration, license renewal, corporate registration, land title search and documents, fine payments
WEBSITEhttps://www.neregistries.com/
ADDRESS 5850 88 Ave NE #5120, Calgary, AB T3J 0Z7
CONTACT DETAILS(403) 508-1105
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

With two locations in Calgary alone, Northeast Registries is a full-service registry. It helps Calgarians with driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations, corporate registrations, and land titles alike.

Northeast Registries also does additional services, accommodating those who need to pay fines for traffic tickets and expired IDs.

Those who haven’t renewed their licenses for long can also experience efficient license processing. We say this because Northeast Registries has online scheduling forms for mandatory road tests.

Northeast Registries also boasts of its two locations in Calgary. Thus, it can cater to twice more than its competitors can.

In addition to its accessibility, Northeast Registries is also known for its availability as it’s open 7 days a week. But while it’s open all week, you should know that it has scheduled closures for every second Sunday of the month.

While it’s good for license renewals, you should know that it may not be the best when it comes to road tests. That’s because we’ve read several complaints about its back-and-forth instructions and even questionable road test processes.

Pros

  • All week availability
  • 2 locations in Calgary
  • Renewal reminder service
  • Online scheduling forms for road tests

Cons

  • Some complaints about mismatched instructions
  • Some complaints about the quality of road test services
  • Closed on second Sunday of every month

Customer Reviews

Northeast Registries has been praised for its fast licensing services and approachable staff. Here are some customer reviews that have said such:

“I cannot rave about Northeast Registries, and specifically Prabin, enough.  I came in for license renewals, questions about learner’s licenses and business license-needless to say I had a lot going on. Prabin was both patient and showed excellent customer service.  I did not have bring the right information and documentation required and he took the time to walk me through what I needed.  When I came back, later that day, he welcomed me by name and knew exactly what I was there for. True customer service is rare these days and Prabin stood out ten-fold.  Thank you again, you not only met my registry needs but you were a delight to chat with.”—Heidi White

“Wow!! What a refreshing experience! Clean, open, super friendly staff and extremely fast service.. this place sets a new bar. I visited for a drivers license and vehicle reg renewal, and returned the next day to file corporate returns. Thank you for making it all so refreshingly pleasant!!”—Kelly Doody

5.   McKnight Registry

mcknight-registry
SERVICESDriver’s license renewals, road tests, vehicle registration, birth, marriage, and death certificates, lien & corporate search, corporate service
WEBSITEhttp://www.mcknightregistry.com/
ADDRESS425 Aviation Rd NE #118, Calgary, AB T2E 5T5
CONTACT DETAILS(403) 277-7777 | [email protected]
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

McKnight Registry is one of the full-service registries specializing in driver’s license renewals, road tests, and vehicle registrations. This registry office also offers reminder services, so you won’t miss any expiry dates for your registrations and licenses.

To make road test processing a little bit easier, McKnight Registry also has online booking forms. Besides, McKnight Registry even has a separate hotline reserved only for road test bookings.

However, if you’re booking road tests, know that we’ve heard and read several complaints about rude test examiners. Do know, however, that McKnight Registry has also received praises for its calm and friendly staff.

McKnight Registry’s other services include lien and corporate searches and incorporation registrations. With all these services, it can cater to businesses and individuals alike.

We also like that McKnight Registry has online vehicle registration renewals. Clients who want functional yet creative plates can even order specialty plates on the registry’s website.

Pros

  • Renewal reminder services
  • Online road test scheduling
  • Dedicated hotline for road tests
  • Online ordering for vehicle plates and registration renewal
  • All week availability

Cons

  • Some complaints about rude examiners
  • Relatively early closing hours
  • Closed on second Sunday of every month

Customer Reviews

Most of McKnight Registry’s reviews revolved around road tests and new licenses. Nonetheless, some customers, like these, find this registry to be the place to get the best driver’s license renewal in Calgary:

“Came last week to get my drivers license renewed and the service was great! Also saw that they were very serious with cleaning all customer areas. Will def return!”—Stephanie Lo

“This is my go-to for vehicle registration and license renewals. Service is fast and friendly!”—Tiffany Chau

FAQs about Drivers License Renewal


We hope our complete guide for the best driver’s license renewal in Calgary. As long as you follow these steps and communicate with the best registry agencies, then you’d certainly have a stress-free process.

Any details we missed on license renewal? Or maybe you know other registries that offer more efficient services? We’d gladly consider any recommendations our fellow Calgarians may have!

Now, if you haven’t renewed your license in more than three years,  then you’ll need to pass road tests and pass a written exam to obtain your license. Check out the best driving schools in Calgary to get you started.

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