Alberta to change licensing program for new drivers in spring

A graduated driver's licence program in Alberta that has been in effect for the past 19 years is getting an overhaul.

Since 2003 new drivers in the province have faced a number of rules including zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol behind the wheel as well as a prohibition on unsafe driving.

Once they made it through the two-year probationary period they were then asked to spend 150 dollars to take a second, more advanced driving test to get a full licence.

The probationary period will continue but beginning next spring anyone who gets past the two-year period won't be required to take a second road test.

Alberta Transportation Minister Prasad Panda says it's a way of cutting red tape and saving drivers the extra cost.

Since the program began, drivers who made it past their probation and didn't take a second test have been allowed to continue driving with their graduated licences, and many do.

Panda says there are currently 700-thousand Albertans driving with graduated licences and some of them aren't that young anymore.