Every time you are convicted of a traffic violation you accumulate a number of demerit points between a minimum of 2 and maximum of 7. These points stay on your license for 2 years and if you accumulate 15 points your license will be suspended. Here's a list of the offenses in Alberta and how many demerit points each will earn you!
- Failing to remain at the scene of an accident - 7 points
- Careless driving - 6 points
- Failing to stop for a school bus - 6 points
- Racing - 6 points
- Failing to stop at a railway crossing - school bus or vehicle carrying explosives, gas or flammable liquids - 5 points
- Failing to stop for a peace officer - 5 points
- Failing to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk - 4 points
- Following too closely - 4 points
- Driving left of centre - 3 points
- Driving on the wrong way of a one-way highway - 3 points
- Failing to report an accident - 3 points
- Failing to stop at stop sign - 3 points
- Failing to stop at red light at an intersection - 3 points
- Impeding passing vehicle - 3 points
- Improper passing - 3 points
- Stunting - 3 points
- Failing to obey instruction of traffic control device - 2 points
- Improper backing - 2 points
- Improper turns - 2 points
- Improper turns – U turn - 2 points
- Traffic lane violation - 2 points
- Speeding – exceeding limit by more than 50 km/h - 6 points
- Speeding – exceeding limit by more than 30 km/h but not more than 50 km/h - 4 points
- Speeding – unreasonable rate - 4 points
- Speeding – exceeding limit by more than 15 km/h but not more than 30 km/h - 3 points
- Speeding – exceeding limit by up to 15 km/h - 2 points
Drivers on the Graduated Drivers Licensing system have a few additional ways they can collect demerit points in Alberta:
- Curfew, no driving from midnight till 5 a.m. (Class 7 Learner stage only) - 2 points
- Having more passengers than seat belts - 2 points
- Supervisor not fully qualified - 2 points
If you do make it to 8 or more demerit points, you will receive a notice of your point standing by mail. At 15 demerit points you will receive a suspension. If it is your first demerit suspension in two years your license will be suspended for 1 month. Second suspension will have you off the road for 3 months and the third or more will get you suspended for 6 months.
Unless you can prove that your demerit points have been assigned in error, there is no appeal for a suspension, so make sure you drive safely out there! If you're not sure what your current standing is, you can ask to review your driving record by making a written request to the Driver Fitness and Monitoring Branch.
If you have been suspended you must surrender your driver's license to a registry agent before the start of your term. Visit Armour Registry at the end of your suspension to pay your fees and reinstate your license. You will receive a written notice that your driving privileges have been reinstated.
