Alberta’s government has announced the permanent adoption of a program that allows Ukrainian evacuees to exchange their home country’s driving permits for local licenses without additional testing. This initiative, initially temporary, was introduced to aid Ukrainians resettling in Alberta by facilitating easier access to transportation for employment and daily life.
Implemented last year, the program enabled holders of Ukrainian Category B (passenger vehicles) and BE (passenger vehicles with a trailer) licences to obtain an Alberta Class 5 driver’s licence. The decision to make this exchange permanent was influenced by the program’s success in helping evacuees integrate into their new communities.
“Making this licence exchange permanent is the right thing to do,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. “Evacuees from Ukraine already have too much stress to deal with, and this will remove unnecessary barriers and ensure that these newcomers can drive to work and integrate into our communities.”
The permanent policy, effective April 18, follows a trend seen across most Canadian provinces and is part of broader efforts to support the Ukrainian community in Alberta. As of early April, over 60,000 Ukrainian evacuees had registered with Alberta Health, spread across 210 communities.
Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction, emphasized the broader benefits: “Facilitating the exchange of Ukrainian driver’s licenses for Alberta Class 5 licenses not only assists in the immediate resettlement process but also contributes to the long-term integration and economic success of Ukrainian evacuees in Alberta.”
Alberta’s move aligns with its commitment to support individuals fleeing conflict while ensuring road safety. Ukrainian driving standards, which often meet or exceed those in Alberta, particularly in training requirements, have facilitated this policy shift.
Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk, parliamentary secretary for Settlement Services and Ukrainian Evacuees, also highlighted the compassionate aspect of the decision: “By making the driver’s license exchange program permanent, Alberta reaffirms its commitment and compassion to Ukrainian evacuees. This initiative not only facilitates integration and opportunity but also reflects our solidarity with those fleeing conflict.”
The province reported that between April 2023 and March 2024, a total of 14,315 Ukrainian driver’s licences were submitted for exchange at Alberta registries, underscoring the significant impact of this policy on the lives of evacuees.