Back to Learners ask

Page 112: Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program

Our summary · page 112

  • Class 7 or Class 5-GDL? Zero tolerance for any alcohol or drugs: immediate 30 day suspension, seven day vehicle seizure, $200 fine plus a 20 per cent surcharge.
  • IRS: WARN applies when an officer has reasonable grounds to believe a driver drove with 50 milligrams or more of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.
  • IRS: WARN, first, second, third time: three, 15, 30 day suspensions; $300, $600, $1,200 fines plus 20 per cent; vehicle seizures; a course from the second.

Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program (continued)

IRS ZERO: Novice

The IRS ZERO: Novice program applies to all alcohol and/or drugs and there is a zero tolerance approach for any alcohol and/or drugs for novice drivers in the Class 7 learner’s licence or Class 5-GDL licence category.

Contraventions for this type of suspension/disqualification include the following:

  • an immediate 30 day driver’s licence suspension
  • a seven day vehicle seizure
  • $200 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20 per cent.

IRS ZERO: Commercial

The IRS ZERO: Commercial program applies to all alcohol and/or drugs and there is a zero tolerance approach for any alcohol and/or drug for a commercial driver operating a commercial vehicle in a commercial capacity.

Contraventions for this type of suspension/disqualification include the following:

First occurrence: Three day immediate driver’s licence suspension and $300 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20 per cent.

Second occurrence: 15 day immediate driver’s licence suspension and $600 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20 per cent.

Third occurrence: 30 day immediate driver’s licence suspension and $1,200 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20 per cent.

IRS: WARN

The IRS: WARN program applies when a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a driver has operated a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration that is equal to or exceeds 50 milligrams of alcohol in 100 mililitres of blood.

Contraventions for this type of suspension/disqualification include the following:

First occurrence: Three day immediate driver’s licence suspension, three day vehicle seizure, and $300 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20 per cent.

Second occurrence: 15 day immediate driver’s licence suspension, seven day vehicle seizure, requirement to complete the Crossroads course (or the Planning Ahead course may be used as an equivalent), and $600 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20 per cent.

Third occurrence: 30 day immediate driver’s licence suspension, seven day vehicle seizure, requirement to complete the IMPACT Program, and $1,200 fine plus victim fine surcharge of 20 per cent.

Swipe to turn the page

Our study guides for this page

Open the full official PDF (opens in a new tab)

Reproduced from the Driver's Guide: cars and light trucks (Spring 2026), Government of Alberta.

Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Alberta. Class 7 Practice is an independent study tool, not affiliated with the Government of Alberta.

In this chapter · 16 topics