My friend told me this just today. I’m lucky, because I got my learner’s licence last year(before they supposedly said you have to be 18 to get your licence), which counts as a driver’s licence, so I can get my full-fledged licence.
I know they were talking a while back about raising the age, but I never heard that it became law.
So, is it true?
No, it’s not. The driving age is 16.
Your friend my be confusing the Ontario and B.C. graduated license programs with a raising of the driving age. there isn’t any plan to raise it to 16.
Looks to me like it’s 18–unless you get a note from your mom.
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/gs/services/mv/operator.cfm
It is a provincial thing there is no “Canadian” driving age as far as I know.
Ontario definatly has a graduated license system. Basically you gradually gain full driving priveleges(you start off not being allowed to drive at night,drive on provincial highways or have any alcohol in your system). You can get your “learner’s permit”, which requires another lisenced driver with you at all times, at 16. Note that the graduated system applies regardless of age, if you apply for the first time at 22 then you still have to wait a year before you can drive without restriction.
DDG link is to an Alberta government source which of course has its own set of rules. Here is the Ontario equivelant: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/ which has:
"The two-step licensing process takes at least 20 months to complete.
To apply for a licence, you must be at least 16 years old and pass a vision test and a test of your knowledge of the rules of the road and traffic signs. After you pass these tests, you will have your photograph taken and get a Class G1 or M1 licence and a driver information package for new drivers. You must pass two road tests to become fully licensed.
New drivers earn full driving privileges in two stages and have five years to complete the program (G1, G2 or M1, M2) and graduate to a full licence (Class G or M). "
Driving is a provincial jurisdiction, and I’m pretty sure that if you’re 14 you’re allowed to drive a tractor in Alberta…
Anyone under the age of 18 applying for a learner’s permit or a driver’s license needs parental permission. That’s why my youngest brother never got his license until he was 19-- but me and the rest of my sibs got ours at 16. Responsibility goes a long way.
I lived in Alberta for most of my life, and I was living there when I was licensed. I didn’t need a note from my parents. Mind you, I have been licensed for a long time, now.
Generally it is accepted that you will get a learner’s permit at 14, and the drivers’ license at 16.
I started driving at 12. Yes, on a tractor.