As of today, Albertans don't have to leave their couches if they want to renew their driver’s licences and identification cards; instead, they can renew them online.

According to an announcement by the provincial government online driver’s licences and ID card renewals are one of the most requested registry service changes that they received. 

"I am very excited to announce this new online service. Albertans want more choice and convenience when it comes to accessing government services, and Alberta’s government is working hard to make that a reality,' said Nate Glubish, Minister of Service Alberta.

To renew online, Albertans will log in with a verified account through the MyAlberta eServices portal and will need to be 18 to 75 years old to renew a driver’s licence or at least 18 years old to renew an ID card. Those wanting to take advantage of the online service must also be a resident of Alberta and have a driver’s licence that is not suspended. You can't renew online if you require a medical examination.

“As more services are offered online, this change is a great step forward towards the modernization that Albertans are coming to expect. We’ve been pleased with the consultation by this government and Minister Glubish, and look forward to working in partnership as we continue to offer convenient and accessible channels for Albertans to access registry services," said CEO of the Association of Alberta Registry Agents, Rikki McBride. 

Other stipulations include not requiring changes to demographic information, such as an address, height or sex on one's driver’s licence or ID card.

The online MyAlberta eServices portal already offers birth registrations and birth certificate ordering, one-year registration renewals for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, off-highway vehicles and some commercial and farm vehicles, as well as duplicate vehicle registration certificates, among other things. 

However, the province is reminding residents that they will need to destroy previous cards. 

"Albertans will no longer surrender their previous Alberta driver’s licences and ID cards to registry agents and will retain their cards until the new ones arrive in the mail, even if they renew in person. It is an offence to hold more than one valid driver’s licence. Albertans will need to securely destroy their previous cards when the new ones arrive."

 

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com