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Alberta suspends a learner or GDL licence at 8 demerit points within 2 years, and a full licence at 15. Impaired driving is handled first at the roadside through Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS), and for Class 7 and Class 5-GDL drivers any alcohol or drug at all brings a 30-day suspension. This page sets out the points, the sanctions and how to get points removed.
How Alberta demerit points work
- Points go on your record on your conviction date: the day you pay the ticket, are found guilty in court, or are convicted for not appearing. Not the day you were stopped.
- The points come off 2 years after the conviction date. The conviction itself, and any suspension, stays on your driving record and abstract for 10 years.
- You cannot appeal a demerit suspension, but you can ask for the points to be reviewed if you think they were assigned in error. Removing a conviction needs an appeal through the Court of Justice of Alberta.
Demerit thresholds: GDL vs full licence
| Class 7 and Class 5-GDL | Full Class 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cautionary notice | 4 to 7 points | 8 to 14 points |
| First suspension | 8+ points in 2 years: 1 month | 15+ points in 2 years: 1 month |
| Second suspension within 1 year | 3 months | 3 months |
| Third or later within 2 years | 6 months | 6 months |
| Points on reinstatement | 3 (stay 2 years) | 7 (stay 2 years) |
A suspension or any demerits in your last 12 months also delay your exit from GDL. See Alberta Class 5 GDL probationary rules.
Demerit points for common tickets in Alberta
| Offence | Demerits | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1 to 15 km/h over | 2 | $105 to $164 |
| Speeding 16 to 30 km/h over | 3 | $190 to $324 |
| Speeding 31 to 50 km/h over | 4 | $343 to $744 |
| Speeding 51+ km/h over | 6 | Mandatory court appearance |
| Distracted driving | 3 | $390 |
| Not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk | 4 | $810 |
| Not moving over or slowing for stopped roadside vehicles with flashing lights | 3 | $243 plus any speed fine |
| Unsafe passing of a snowplow | 3 | $324 |
| Careless driving | 6 | Check current fine |
| Following too closely | 4 | Check current fine |
| Failing to stop for a school bus | 6 | Check current fine |
| Failing to remain at the scene of a collision | 7 | Court |
| Running a stop sign or red light | 3 | Check current fine |
| More passengers than seat belts (learner or GDL) | 2 | $211 |
Speeding fines include the 20 percent victims of crime surcharge and double when construction workers, emergency responders or stopped roadside vehicles with flashing lights are present. Fines are as listed by the Government of Alberta in November 2026.
Worked example: a GDL driver gets a distracted driving ticket (3) and a 20 km/h speeding ticket (3) in the same year. That is 6 points and a cautionary notice. One more 2-point speeding ticket within 2 years means a 1-month suspension.
Getting points removed: merit credit
An approved Defensive Driving Course or Professional Driver Improvement Course from a licensed driver training school can remove up to 3 points, once every 2 years. For GDL drivers, you must finish it before reaching 8 points. Submit the Notice of Driver Education Course Completion to a registry agent (a fee may apply). The form is valid for 2 years.
Serving a suspension
- Hand your licence in at any registry agent on or before the date the suspension starts. Holding it while suspended is an offence.
- Driving while suspended or disqualified means fines or jail, a further suspension, and a 30-day seizure of the vehicle whoever owns it, with the owner paying towing and storage.
- Alberta can also suspend a licence for a poor driving record, an unpaid court judgment or medical reasons.
- To challenge an IRS penalty or vehicle seizure, apply to SafeRoads Alberta within the time on your notice; matters are decided within 30 days. Other licensing decisions, such as interlock exemptions or driver conduct, go through the Registrar Reconsideration Process.
Immediate Roadside Sanctions for new drivers
IRS penalties are administrative and start immediately when police issue a Notice of Administrative Penalty. Criminal Code charges can be laid as well.
IRS ZERO: Novice (Class 7 and Class 5-GDL)
Zero tolerance for any alcohol or drugs:
- immediate 30-day licence suspension, no driving at all
- 7-day vehicle seizure
- $200 fine plus 20 percent victim fine surcharge
IRS 24-hour suspension
For any driver suspected of impairment by alcohol, drugs, or a physical or medical condition.
IRS WARN (BAC 0.05 to 0.079, or failed sobriety tests)
| Occurrence | Suspension | Vehicle seizure | Fine (+20%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 3 days | 3 days | $300 |
| Second | 15 days | 7 days | $600, plus Crossroads course |
| Third | 30 days | 7 days | $1,200, plus IMPACT program |
IRS FAIL (BAC 0.08+, failing or refusing tests)
| Occurrence | Suspension | Vehicle seizure | Fine (+20%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | 90 days, then 12 months (interlock option) | 30 days | $1,000, plus Planning Ahead course |
| Second | 90 days, then 36 months (interlock option) | 30 days | $2,000, plus IMPACT program |
| Third | 90 days, then lifetime (interlock option) | 30 days | $2,000 |
Checkstops and testing
Police can demand a breath sample from any driver they have lawfully stopped, even without suspecting alcohol. They can also use roadside oral fluid tests for drugs, field sobriety tests and Drug Recognition Experts. Refusing a test can lead to Criminal Code charges and a licence suspension.
Impairment is more than alcohol
Alberta treats driving impaired by alcohol, cannabis, other drugs, fatigue, or prescription or over-the-counter medication as impaired driving. Being awake for 17 to 19 hours is equivalent to a BAC of 0.05 percent. For federal Criminal Code penalties see impaired driving in Canada for new drivers.
Common questions
How many demerits can a new driver have in Alberta?
A Class 7 or GDL licence is suspended at 8 points within 2 years.
Can a GDL driver have one drink in Alberta?
No. Any alcohol or drugs triggers IRS ZERO: Novice penalties.
Can a GDL driver get a restricted licence during a demerit suspension?
Alberta offers the Restricted Driver’s Licence Program to fully licensed drivers serving a demerit suspension. If you hold a GDL, ask a registry agent whether any option applies to you.
When do points come off?
Two years after the conviction date.
Back to learning to drive in Alberta. See also Alberta Class 7 learner rules.
Sources
- Government of Alberta, “Driver’s Guide to Operation, Safety and Licensing: Cars and Light Trucks”, Spring 2023 edition (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Demerit driving suspension” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Demerit points” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Impaired driving penalties” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Checkstop program” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Preventing impaired driving” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Speeding fines in Alberta” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Roadside worker safety” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Driving safely around snowplows” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Distracted driving” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Pedestrian safety” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Driver error” (alberta.ca)
- Government of Alberta, “Occupant restraint laws” (alberta.ca)