What is graduated licensing in the NWT?   The Department of Transportation now employs a Graduated Driver Licensing Program, which requires new drivers to take a series of steps to attain a full Class 5 Drivers Licence. Some of the new aspects of this system are:

• There are now 3 stages toward obtaining your Class 5
• It will take a minimum of 2 years to get your full Class 5
• 17 years old is the minimum age required for a Class 5
• Fewer demerit points are permitted during Probation and Learner’s stages

For more information about the Graduated Driver Licensing Program, please click here or look at our FAQ. For information about the process for obtaining the NWT Drivers Licence, please click here. 

Information about the three stages of the Graduated Driver Licensing Program follows below.     

STAGE 1
LEARNER CLASS 7

• Must be 15 years of age
• Must pass a written examination
• The Learner’s stage lasts for a minimum of 12 months, providing the driver remains suspension free

      Conditions

• Driving after consuming ANY alcohol or while otherwise impaired is prohibited. 
• Must be at least 15 years of age.
• A Learner must drive with a fully licensed driver, who has a minimum of 24 months' experience with a full Class 5 licence
• A Learner cannot have any passengers other than the supervisor
• A Learner cannot drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• The Class 7 Licence must be held for at least one year before qualifying for a Class 5P Licence.
• Accumulation of six or more demerit points shall result in a suspension of the Class 7 Licence by the Registrar.

STAGE 2

    PROBATIONARY CLASS 5P

• Driving after consuming ANY alcohol or while otherwise impaired is prohibited. 
• Must be at least 16 years of age
• Must have completed the 12-month learner stage
• Must pass a practical road examination
• The probationary stage lasts for a minimum of 12 months, providing the driver remains suspension free
• No supervisor required
• A probationary driver cannot serve as an accompanying driver to a Learner (Class 7 Licence holder)
• During the 12 month probationary stage, there can be no upgrading to a commercial (Class 1, 2, 3, or 4) Licence.
• Accumulation of six or more demerit points shall result in a suspension of the Class 7 Licence by the Registrar.

      Conditions

• Only one passenger is permitted in the front seat

STAGE 3

    FULL CLASS 5

• Must have completed the Probationary stage