Alberta Slashes GDL: Manual Driving at Risk
Alberta ends GDL by 2026, raising questions on manual driving's future amid shifting auto trends.
CALGARY — As Alberta prepares to phase out its Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system by mid-2026, questions arise about manual transmission instruction availability. Alberta law permits Class 5 licence holders to drive both automatic and manual vehicles, but specifics on GDL restrictions remain unclear.
The Deeper Context
The decline of manual transmissions in North America, from 35% in 1980 to about 1% now, reflects broader trends, including the rise of electric vehicles. Despite this, Calgary driving schools like Westhills and Derek Brown's claim to offer manual lessons. Alberta's decision to eliminate the GDL exit test aligns with these changes, allowing drivers with a clean record to receive a full licence without further testing.
The Critics & Costs
While manual driving skills fade, enthusiasts remain. The Calgary Sports Car Club and others advocate for manual instruction, but the $125 for 2 hours rate is unverified. The economic shift towards EVs and regulatory updates could further impact manual driving instruction demand and availability.
With these regulatory changes, the focus shifts to how schools will adapt and whether manual driving retains its niche appeal in Alberta's evolving landscape.
