Study guide2 min read

Demerit points in Alberta

Demerit points are recorded against your driving record when you’re convicted of an offence. New drivers are allowed far fewer than fully licensed drivers before their licence is suspended.p. 108

Checked against the Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026) on Sep 22, 2026.

The short version

Paying your ticket counts as a conviction, so points go on your record.p. 108
GDL drivers, including learners, are suspended at 8 or more points within two years.p. 108 p. 10
Fully licensed drivers are suspended at 15 or more within two years.p. 108
Points come off your record two years after the date of the conviction.p. 110

How you get demerit points

Points are recorded when you’re convicted of an offence. You’re convicted when you:p. 108

pay the fine on your ticket voluntarilyp. 108
go to court and are found guiltyp. 108
don’t go to court and are convicted in your absencep. 108

Convictions and suspensions stay on your driving record for 10 years and appear on your driver’s abstract.p. 108

Limits for new and fully licensed drivers

Demerit points within a two-year period. GDL drivers hold a Class 7 or Class 5-GDL licence.p. 10 p. 108
Row	GDL drivers	Fully licensed
Warning letter	4 to 7 points	8 to 14 points
Automatic suspension	8 or more	15 or more
Points left after a suspension	3	7

Leaving the GDL program is what raises the number of demerits you’re allowed.p. 11

Offences for GDL drivers only

Each of these is worth 2 points:p. 110

driving between midnight and 5 a.m. (Class 7 learner stage only)p. 110
having more passengers than seat beltsp. 110
a supervising driver who isn’t fully qualifiedp. 110

What common offences are worth

Demerit points for fully licensed and GDL drivers (a selection)p. 109
Points	Offences
7	Failing to remain at the scene of a collision
6	Careless driving · failing to stop for a school bus · racing · speeding by 51 km/h or more
5	Failing to stop for a peace officer
4	Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk · following too closely · speeding by 31 to 50 km/h
3	Failing to stop at a stop sign or for a red light · improper passing · stunting · speeding by 16 to 30 km/h
2	Improper turns, including U-turns · traffic lane violation · speeding by up to 15 km/h

This is a selection. The Driver’s Guide lists more, and points to alberta.ca for the complete list.p. 109

If you’re suspended

Demerit point suspensions are automatic, and they get longer:p. 110

first suspension: one monthp. 110
second within one year: three monthsp. 110
third within two years: six monthsp. 110

You must turn in your driver’s licence at any Alberta registry agent office on or before the date your suspension starts, and serve the full term. You may also have to attend a review with the Registrar of Motor Vehicles.p. 117 p. 110

You can’t appeal a demerit point suspension. If you believe points were assigned in error, you can ask Driver Fitness and Monitoring in writing to review your record.p. 110

When points come off

Points for a conviction are removed two years after the date of that conviction.p. 110

Completing a Government-approved defensive driving course before you reach 15 points gives a 3-point credit on your record for two years.p. 110