Suspension and Reinstatement
Alberta Driver’s Licence can be suspended for a number of reasons. The main reasons are:
- Accumulation of too many demerit points
- DUI (driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs)
- Maintenance enforcement (missed child support payments)
The process for reinstatement of the driver licence varies depending upon the reason for the suspension. For all suspensions, the suspension cannot be appealed. The conviction can be appealed, but you must do so as instructed on the back of the ticket or by following mailed instructions from Service Alberta.
Conviction of DUI
In Alberta, you can be convicted of driving under the influence if you have provided a breath or blood sample over 80 milligrams percent, or refused a demand by a peace officer to provide a breath or toxicological (e.g. blood, urine) sample.
You can purchase an Application for Hearing from East Calgary Registry. The cost will depend upon whether your request an oral or written appeal. The appeal must be filed with the Board within 30 days of the suspension. If your appeal is successful, the government portion of the appeal fee will be refunded, but the Registry portion of the fee is non-refundable.
The length of the suspension depends upon how many suspensions you have had previously. Please note that at any time you can be required to appear before the Alberta Transportation Safety Board (ATSB).
Once you receive notification by mail from Service Alberta about your DL suspension, you will need to visit out location to surrender your Driver’s Licence card.
Visit Country Hills Plates to pay the reinstatement fee and the new card fee.
Please note that if you have any overdue fines, you will need to take care of these before the system will allow us to reinstate your licence.
To appeal demerit points, appeal the individual conviction leading to the suspension. Class 5 GDL Licence holders can accumulate up to 7 points before suspension, while Class 5 (Non-GDL) licence holders face suspension after exceeding 14 points.
The suspension duration depends on the number of prior suspensions. Once notified of suspension, surrender your Driver’s Licence card and wait for the reinstatement period. Reinstatement requires paying a $ fee and settling any overdue fines.
To reduce demerits, take an Alberta Transportation approved Defensive Driving course to earn 3 merit points. Bring the completion certificate to us to credit the points. Demerit points remain on your licence for two years. Complete the course and earn merit points every two years.
Note the demerit points are assigned to your file after the conviction date, not when you’re pulled over. Opt for the Advanced Road Test to upgrade your licence and increase allowable demerits before the conviction date.