Kye Eld starts up his new car. He is waiting to receive his GDL license. (Tiffany Goodwein/CHAT News)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Drivers seeking graduated license remain parked due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Jun 15, 2020 | 5:10 PM

MEDICINE HAT AB- The sound of an engine starting is a thrilling sound for any new driver, but for Kye Eld, being parked on his front drive way is as far as he can go without supervision from his parents.

Eld was supposed to go for his GDL license, but after the province put the brakes on road tests on March 19, he too has remained parked in his pursuit to finally get his graduated driver’s licence.

“It’s definitely , It can be a burden,” he said.

His parents helped him buy a new car about a month ago, hoping that he would be able to get his licence, but so far, the province hasn’t given the green light.

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In a statement to CHAT NEWS Today a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation said securing proper PPE is a factor in resuming road tests.

“Alberta Transportation has protocols that include the use of PPE that allows all driving road tests to resume in a manner that helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. As PPE supplies are more available, more tests for more licences will become available,” Cole Hogan, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Transportation said.

Eld is not alone, his cousin Caelen Eld is also waiting to get his GDL.

“I find myself constantly wanting to go out and do things that would require me to drive on my own as my parents are often times busy or typically hesitant to take me places because they have been doing it for so long,” he said.

“Longer than necessary I’ve had to be driven to work…so that’s kind of frustrating,” Eld said.

For the driver’s waiting, the inability to drive a car independently has far greater implications especially at a time when many are trying to secure a summer job.

“A lot of employers, need you to be able to drive, they need that dependence on you to be able to get work on time, and if you can’t drive they can’t expect you to get there on time, all the time,” said teen Caneron Jobling, who is also waiting to get his GDL.

For job seekers needing identification, the province says they can apply for a personal ID at any registry office.

Limited testing for licences began on April 30 for commercial truckers, agriculture and bus drivers supporting the supply chain, according to the province,

On June 8 ,the province announced Medicine Hat as one of eight testing locations for Class 1 to 4 drivers, and healthcare workers seeking their Class 5.

The province says they will announce when the provincial scheduler is available and when road tests are opened to all licence classes, but they didn’t specify an exact date.