Effective May 17, eligible Albertans can renew their driver’s licences and identification cards online, with some exceptions, Service Alberta Minister Nate Glubish said Monday.
The updating service will be available through the MyAlberta eServices portal.
“This is big news for Albertans. I’ve heard from so many of them who have been asking for the ability to renew their driver’s licences and ID cards online,” Glubish said during a press conference in Edmonton.
“I’m very excited to be able to make this announcement today that these services will now be a reality.”
To renew a driver’s licence, the person applying must be 18 years to 75 years of age, be at least 18 years of age to renew an ID card, have a card that has not been expired for more than six months, and have a current licence that has not been suspended.
Online renewals cannot be made if there is a need to change demographic information such as address, height or sex, on the driver’s licence or ID cards or if a medical examination report is required to renew the driver’s licence.
“That is to ensure that we can protect the security of the system,” Glubish told Great West Media. “The online renewal is for if nothing is changing and you already have an existing photo ID with the government of Alberta, then you are able to make use of this service.”
First time licence and ID applications must still be made in person.
Licences and IDs can still be renewed in person at registry offices.
During the press conference Derek MacMillan, vice-president of the Association of Alberta Registry Agents, called the new online option “a great step forward.”
Joel Ruff, chief operating officer with Alberta Motor Association, said his association also supports the new online renewal option.
Under the changes announced Monday, residents will no longer be required to surrender their previous Alberta driver’s licences and ID cards to registry agents and will retain their cards until the new ones arrive in the mail, said Glubish.
It remains an offence in Alberta to hold more than one valid driver’s licence, he said.
Jon Carson, NDP critic for Service Alberta, issued a statement following Monday’s Glubish news conference.
“Albertans now having the opportunity to renew their driver’s licences and identification cards online is great news for those who have access to the internet,” said Carson. “Online services are good, but they are still out of reach for large parts of the province because the UCP hasn't followed through on their commitment to fix rural internet.
“The UCP has made several announcements and promises to deliver high-speed internet to Albertans living in rural and remote communities, but they’ve failed to deliver. Just another example of why you can’t trust the UCP.”
In 2021, more than 500,000 Albertans renewed their driver’s licence and 27,000 Albertans renewed their ID cards.
