Can you drive in Alberta with a Pakistani license?

Yes. Visitors can drive in Alberta with a valid Pakistani licence for up to one year.

Alberta lets visitors drive the same class of vehicle authorized by their home licence for up to one year. Students, visitors and temporary foreign workers are treated as non-residents: they cannot apply for an Alberta licence, but they keep driving on the home licence within that window. The one-year clock and the 90-day rule for permanent movers are different regimes; which one applies depends on whether you live in Alberta permanently.

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta (alberta.ca)

Not legally required, but Alberta strongly recommends an IDP if your licence is not in English.

Alberta's official guidance: if your licence is not in English, it is strongly recommended to carry an IDP from your home jurisdiction, since it translates what your licence allows you to drive. Get it in Pakistan before travelling; Canada does not issue IDPs to visitors.

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta (alberta.ca)

If you live in Alberta permanently, you must exchange your licence within 90 days of becoming a resident.

The 90-day rule applies even if you travel outside Alberta during those 90 days. When you apply, the Operator Licensing and Vehicle Control Regulation under the Traffic Safety Act requires you to surrender every out-of-Alberta licence you hold, including expired ones and IDPs. Applications go through registry agent offices, and document authentication by the Special Investigations Unit can add about 10 business days, so do not leave it to day 89.

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta (alberta.ca)

No. Pakistan does not have a reciprocal licensing agreement with Alberta, so you take the Class 7 knowledge test and a Class 5 road test.

Your Pakistani driving history is still worth applying for: Alberta lets you request credit for previous driving experience, and a successful application exempts you from the Graduated Driver Licensing program and lets you book the Class 5 road test directly instead of starting as a new driver. Your surrendered licence must be equivalent to Alberta Class 5 or higher, accompanied by a certified translation if not in English.

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta (alberta.ca)

Yes: Class 7 knowledge test, vision screening, and a Class 5 road test.

The knowledge test is taken at a registry agent office; the road test is booked separately. With credited foreign experience you take the standard Class 5 road test without GDL probation; without credit you enter the graduated program. Budget time for the Special Investigations Unit to authenticate foreign documents, roughly 10 business days when questions arise.

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta (alberta.ca)

Only if your licence is not in English. Licences issued in English need no translation.

Alberta requires a certified English translation for any licence or supporting document not in English, from a translator on the province's approved list (published at open.alberta.ca). The translation accompanies the original licence when you surrender it at the registry office.

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta (alberta.ca)

Bring your licence, ID, proof of Alberta residence within 90 days, proof of legal presence in Canada, translations if needed, and the fees.

Everything goes through a private registry agent office rather than a government counter. If the Special Investigations Unit needs to verify your foreign licence, plan for roughly 10 business days before the application is accepted; return to the registry office to confirm the outcome.

Exchange a licence from outside Alberta (alberta.ca)