Licence suspensions, ignition interlock and SafeRoads in Alberta
On top of any Criminal Code penalty, Alberta suspends your driving privileges and sets conditions you must meet to get them back. Here is how suspensions work, and what it takes to drive again.p. 115
Checked against the Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026) on .
The short version
- Driving while suspended can mean jail, fines or both, another suspension, and the vehicle seized for 30 days, whoever owns it.p. 115
- A suspension stays in effect until every condition on your Notice of Suspension is met, even if you leave Alberta.p. 115
- While suspended, you may not even have your licence with you: hand it in to a registry agent by the date the suspension starts.p. 117
- An ignition interlock won’t let the vehicle start if your breath alcohol is above the set limit.p. 116
How you find out, and what to do
- A Notice of Suspension is mailed to the last address on your record, so keep your address current with a registry agent.p. 117
- The notice gives the date the suspension starts, how long it lasts, and the conditions you must meet to drive again.p. 115p. 117
- Hand in your licence at a registry agent on or before that date, and serve the full term.p. 117
- A provincial suspension runs at the same time as any court-ordered driving prohibition.p. 115
- Besides driving offences, provincial suspensions can come from a poor driving record, an unpaid legal judgement, medical reasons, or not complying with a Notice to Report.p. 117
Suspensions for too many demerit points: Demerit points in Alberta.
If you drive while suspended
Getting your licence back after an alcohol or drug offence
The suspension starts when you’re convicted, and the Notice of Suspension lists every condition you must meet beforehand. Read it carefully: if a condition isn’t met, your licence may not be reinstated.p. 115
Conditions can include:p. 115
When the suspension is over, show a registry agent proof you’ve met the requirements, and they can issue your licence. If your licence expired during the suspension, it can’t be renewed until every condition is met.p. 116
The ignition interlock program
An interlock device in the vehicle measures the alcohol in your breath and locks the ignition if the reading is too high. The program lets drivers keep getting to work, treatment and family while their driving is monitored and restricted.p. 116
It has three streams:p. 116
- IRS: FAIL: for drivers suspended under IRS: FAIL for criminal-level impaired driving on or after December 1, 2020.p. 116
- Administrative Licence Suspension: for criminal-level impaired driving on or before November 30, 2020.p. 116
- Mandatory: required for everyone convicted of impaired driving under the Criminal Code before their licence is fully reinstated.p. 116
Repeat IRS: FAIL penalties
| Row | Second occurrence | Third occurrence or later |
|---|---|---|
| Can’t drive at all | 90 days | 90 days |
| Then suspended for | 36 months | Life |
| Vehicle seizure | 30 days | 30 days |
| Fine | $2,000 plus victim surcharge | $2,000 plus victim surcharge |
During the longer suspension, a driver may take part in the IRS: FAIL Ignition Interlock Program and drive a vehicle with an interlock; otherwise they stay suspended. A second occurrence also requires the IMPACT program. After a lifetime suspension, an eligible driver can apply for reinstatement after 10 years, with no guarantee.p. 114
First-time penalties and the zero tolerance rule for new drivers: Zero tolerance and impaired driving in Alberta.
Reviews and appeals
- SafeRoads Alberta reviews challenges to provincial impaired driving penalties, and deals with every matter within 30 days. Apply at saferoads.com.p. 117
- Vehicle seizures: if a seized vehicle was stolen, taken without consent, or belongs to a rental agency, you can ask SafeRoads for it back. Owners pay all seizure costs, review fees aren’t refundable, and a review doesn’t guarantee the vehicle’s return.p. 117
- Other decisions (not impaired driving), such as driver conduct or an interlock exemption, go to the Registrar Reconsideration Process.p. 118