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Driver Licensing > Manitoba's Graduated Driver's Licence (GDL) Program
| Authorized Instruction | Supervising Driver |
Keep Your Licence Valid |
| Zero Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) | Consequences of Violations | New Manitoba Residents |
| Driver's Licence |
Learner drivers who are not in GDL will be issued an Authorized Instruction licence (Stage A). This includes:
- Class 5 drivers who held a learner licence (Class 7 with authorized instruction in Classes 1–5) before April 1, 2002
- Class 6 drivers who held a Motorcycle Instruction Permit before April 1, 2002
- experienced drivers whose licence is changed to a ‘learner’ due to a test failure
- experienced drivers from out-of-province who are required to take full driver examinations upon transferring to a Manitoba driver’s licence
- Learner drivers in Classes 1–4
Class 5 Stage A drivers must follow the following restrictions:
- maintain a zero blood alcohol content
- be accompanied by a supervising driver as the only front seat passenger. The supervising driver must be under .05 blood alcohol content, must hold a valid licence and have held a Full Class 5 licence for at least three years
- may not operate a Class 3 vehicle registered as a farm truck
- may not operate off-road vehicles along or across a highway (unless driver holds a minimum Class 6 Intermediate Stage licence)
Class 6 Stage A drivers must follow the following restrictions:
- must maintain zero blood alcohol content
- may not carry a passenger
- may not operate off-road vehicles along or across highways (unless driver holds a minimum Class 5 Intermediate licence)
Class 1– 4 Stage A drivers must follow the following restrictions:
- be accompanied by a supervising driver who;
- holds a valid licence
- has held a minimum Class 5 Full licence for at least three years, of which at least two years are in the class of vehicle being driven
- must be under .05 blood alcohol content
A supervising driver must accompany a Class 5 learner driver and drivers with authorized instruction in Classes 1–5. The supervising driver provides on-road training and monitoring while new drivers are practising their driving.
The supervising driver should be prepared to assume control of the vehicle if necessary. The supervising driver must:
- hold a valid and continuous driver’s licence in the class of vehicle being operated by the learner
- have held a minimum Class 5 Full licence for at least three years
- have held a licence in the class being operated for at least two years if a Class 1–4 vehicle is being operated
- be the only front seat passenger if supervising in a Class 5 vehicle
- occupy the seat nearest the driver if supervising in Class 1–4 vehicles
- have less than .05 blood alcohol content
Each year, look for a Statement of Account in the mail that covers your next year of driving.
We send it to you as your anniversary day gets closer. You’re anniversary day is your birthday, plus four months. For example, if your birthday is June 15, your anniversary day is October 15.
You need to make sure you pay the Statement of Account, to keep your licence valid.
You’ll need to renew your driver’s licence every five years. We’ll mail you a Renewal Notice as your anniversary day gets closer.
Zero Blood Alcohol Content (BAC)
New drivers must have zero blood alcohol content while operating a vehicle. Driving is a complex task that requires full attention. Alcohol impairs skill and judgment. For new drivers, who may have difficulty with relatively simple driving tasks, consuming even a small amount of alcohol could be extremely dangerous. The best way for drivers to ensure that they are alert is to avoid driving after drinking any alcohol.
The zero blood alcohol content applies to all drivers with a:
- Class 5 Licence in the Learner or Intermediate Stage
- Class 5 Licence in the Authorized Instruction Stage
- Class 6 Licence in the Learner or Intermediate Stage (while operating a motorcycle)
- Class 6 Licence in the Authorized Instruction Stage (while operating a motorcycle)
- Class 5 and/or Class 6 licence for the first three years in the Full Stage*
Consequences of Violating the Zero Blood Alcohol Content or GDL Restrictions
Anyone in GDL who is found in violation of the no alcohol requirement or other GDL restrictions will be faced with interventions and possible sanctions depending on the circumstances.
Drinking and Driving Violations
Novice drivers who violate the zero blood alcohol content restriction will:
- receive an immediate 24-hour roadside suspension, and
- be required to attend a hearing with Driver Improvement and Control to determine further sanctions.
If the novice driver is over .08 blood alcohol content or refuses to provide a sample, or undergo a Field Sobriety Test, the existing tough drinking and driving countermeasures will apply. These include:
- an immediate 24-hour roadside suspension
- an automatic vehicle impoundment for a minimum period of 30 days (depending on the blood alcohol content level or repeat offences)
- a three-month Administrative Licence Suspension
- a mandatory alcohol assessment
- a mandatory minimum one-year court-imposed licence prohibition
- a mandatory minimum one-year licence suspension upon conviction of a criminal code offence
- a licence reinstatement charge
* The law about blood alcohol content (BAC) changed as of December 2006.
If you entered GDL before the law changed:
- you must have no alcohol in your blood for the first 12 months.
If you entered GDL after the law changed:
- you must have no alcohol in your blood for the first 36 months.
GDL Restriction Violation
New drivers who are found in violation of any GDL restriction will be required to attend a Novice Driver Hearing with the Driver Improvement and Control Section of Driver and Vehicle Licensing. New drivers may also be required to attend a Novice Driver Hearing as a result of convictions or accident involvement.
At the hearing a Reviewing Officer will review the nature and circumstances of the incidences with the driver. The result of a hearing may include one or more of the following:
- a licence suspension
- a special driving course (at the driver’s expense)
- passenger restrictions
- time of day restrictions
- other driving restrictions
Drivers may appeal the licence suspension, restriction or stage extension to the Licence Suspension Appeal Board on the grounds of hardship.
Insurance Coverage
If you are in violation of the no alcohol requirement or other GDL restrictions, you may be denied insurance coverage.
When exchanging your out-of-province driver’s licence for a Manitoba licence, you will receive credit toward the appropriate stage for the time you served in your home jurisdiction.
Learner Stage
If you held a Learner Licence in your previous home jurisdiction, you will be required to take the written (knowledge) and vision tests before a Manitoba Learner Stage licence will be issued. Credit will then be given toward the nine-month learning period for the time you held a Learner Licence in your previous home jurisdiction.
For example, if you held a learner licence for five months in the other jurisdiction, five months would be credited to the Manitoba nine-month learning period. If you held a learner licence for more than nine months, you may take the road test immediately.
Unless you are enrolled in a Manitoba Driver Education course you must be at least 16 years of age.
Intermediate Stage
If you held an Intermediate Stage licence in your previous home jurisdiction, when transferring to a Manitoba licence, you will be issued an Intermediate Stage licence if you held the licence for less than 15 months. Credit will then be given toward the 15-month Intermediate Stage for the period you held the Intermediate Stage licence in your previous home jurisdiction.
For example, if you held an Intermediate Stage licence for 10 months in your previous home jurisdiction, 10 months would be credited to the Manitoba 15-month Intermediate Stage.
If you held an Intermediate Stage licence for more than 15 months in your previous licence jurisdiction, on transfer to the Manitoba licence, you will be issued a Manitoba Full Stage licence.
Full Stage*
If you held a Full Licence, you will be issued a Manitoba Full Stage licence. If you held a Full licence for less than three years, you will be subject to the zero blood alcohol content restriction. You may supervise a novice driver only if you have held a Full Licence for more than three years.
* The law about blood alcohol content (BAC) changed as of December 2006.
If you entered GDL before the law changed:
- you must have no alcohol in your blood for the first 12 months.
If you entered GDL after the law changed:
- you must have no alcohol in your blood for the first 36 months.
Driver’s Licence
On your driver’s licence, you’ll see what class of licence you have, and what stage of GDL you’re in.
A number from 1 to 6 shows the class of licence you have.
One, or more, of the following letters shows the stage of GDL you’re in:
- L – Learner
- I –Intermediate
- F—Full
- A – Authorized Instruction
- M—Motorcycle Training Course only
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