How to Check Demerit Points: Alberta Drivers Ask
If you recently received a traffic ticket and want to know where you stand, learning how to check demerit points in Alberta is simpler than most drivers expect. Alberta uses a point-based system to track driving offences, and knowing your current total can help you avoid surprises down the road, including a licence suspension you did not see coming.
This guide walks you through the full demerit point system in Alberta: what demerit points are, which offences carry how many points, when your licence is at risk, and exactly how to check your record. Whether you are a fully licensed driver or still working through the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program, the information below applies to you.
What Are Demerit Points in Alberta?
Demerit points in Alberta are penalties added to your driving record when you are convicted of a traffic offence. They do not come off an existing total. Every driver starts at zero, and points accumulate upward each time a conviction is registered against their licence.
How do demerits work in Alberta?
A common misconception is that demerit points show up the moment you receive a traffic ticket. That is not how demerit points work in Alberta. Points are only recorded after a conviction, which happens either when you pay the fine (which counts as a guilty plea) or when a court finds you guilty. If you are disputing a ticket and the case is still ongoing, no points are applied yet.
The demerit system in Alberta is administered through Alberta Transportation. It works alongside your driver’s abstract, which is the official document that shows your licence status, traffic convictions, and current demerit point total. Understanding demerits in Alberta is the first step toward staying in control of your driving record.
Alberta Demerit Points List: What Each Offence Costs You
The Alberta demerit points list assigns a specific number of points to each type of offence, ranging from 2 points for minor infractions up to 7 points for the most serious ones. Below is the full Alberta demerit points chart for common driving offences. Not all traffic violations carry the same weight.
| Points | Offence |
|---|---|
| 7 | Failing to remain at the scene of an accident or collision (hit and run) |
| 6 | Careless driving charge; racing or stunting; failing to stop for a school bus; speeding more than 50 km/h over the limit |
| 5 | Failing to stop at an uncontrolled railway crossing; failing to stop for a peace officer |
| 4 | Following too closely (tailgating), failing to yield right-of-way to a pedestrian, and speeding 31–50 km/h over the limit |
| 3 | Distracted driving (handheld device); failing to stop at a stop sign or red light; improper passing; speeding 16–30 km/h over the limit |
| 2 | Improper backing; disobeying a traffic control device or sign; speeding 1–15 km/h over the speed limit; improper turns; failing to signal |
What Are the Demerit Points for Common Offences in Alberta?
Speeding Demerit Points in Alberta
how many demerit points for speeding in alberta
Demerit points for speeding in Alberta depend entirely on how far over the limit you were driving. Going 10 km/h costs 2 points. Going 40 km/h costs 4 points. Push past 50 km/h over the limit, whether on a city road or a highway, and you are looking at 6 points, the same as careless driving, plus a significant fine and a real risk of immediate licence suspension.
Distracted Driving
How many demerit points for distracted driving in Alberta
Alberta demerit points for distracted driving sit at 3 points per conviction, paired with a fine that typically runs between $300 and $390. This applies to holding a phone while driving, texting, reading, or any similar handheld activity, including when stopped at a red light.
Racing Demerit Points
How many demerit points for racing in Alberta
Racing or street stunting carries 6 demerit points and comes with consequences well beyond the point total: immediate licence suspension, heavy fines, and vehicle impoundment for 7 to 30 days. It is one of the few offences where the points are almost secondary to the other penalties.
Note on 3 demerit points in Alberta:
What Offences Carry 3 Demerit Points in Alberta?
Failing to stop at a stop sign, using a phone while driving, or speeding 16–30 km/h over the limit all carry 3 points each. These are among the most common convictions Alberta drivers accumulate, and they add up quickly if you pick up more than one in a two-year window.
How Many Demerit Points Before Your Licence Is Suspended?
The suspension threshold in Alberta depends on which type of licence you hold. The province treats fully licensed drivers and GDL drivers differently, and the gap between a warning and a suspension is smaller than many people realize.
Fully Licensed Drivers (Class 1, 3, or 5 non-GDL)
How Many Demerits Are Allowed for Class 1, 3, or 5 Non-GDL Drivers?
- 8–14 points: A cautionary notice is mailed to you
- 15 or more points: Your licence will be automatically suspended for one month as a demerit suspension
- After a first suspension, a second within one year: Three months
- Any subsequent demerit point suspension within two years: Six months for subsequent suspensions
- After suspension: Reinstated with 7 points remaining on your record
GDL Drivers (Class 5-GDL or Class 7)
How Many Demerits Are Allowed for a Class 7 Licence in Alberta?
- 4–7 points: A cautionary notice is mailed to you
- 8 or more points: Your licence will be suspended for one month
- Second suspension within one year: Three months
- Third suspension within two years: Six months
- After suspension: Reinstated with 3 points remaining on your record
What happens if you get 15 Demerit Points?
If you are a fully licensed driver and your demerit point total hits 15, Alberta Transportation will mail you a notice requiring you to surrender your driver’s licence to a registry agent. You cannot simply pay a fine and drive on. The one-month demerit driving suspension begins from the date the notice is issued. Ignoring it or continuing to drive carries additional penalties.
Class 5 Demerit Points: GDL vs. Non-GDL
If you hold a full Class 5 licence, your suspension threshold is 15 points. If you are still on a Class 5 GDL licence, your threshold is 8 points, the same as a Class 7 learner. Class 7 demerit points in Alberta follow the same 8-point GDL rule.
The takeaway: new drivers have half the margin of fully licensed drivers, and 8 demerit points in Alberta is a serious situation for anyone still in the GDL program. This distinction trips up a lot of drivers. Demerit points for Class 5 drivers in Alberta are not the same across the board.
Restricted licence option: If you are a fully licensed (non-GDL) driver serving a demerit point suspension, you may be eligible to apply for a restricted driver’s licence that allows driving to and from work, school, or medical appointments during your suspension period.
How to Check Demerit Points in Alberta
There are three ways to check demerit points in Alberta. All of them require obtaining a copy of your driver’s abstract, which is the official document that shows your demerit point total, licence status, and any traffic convictions on your record.
Method 1: Online via Alberta.ca
You can order a Standard Driver’s Abstract through the Alberta.ca eServices portal. You will need a verified Alberta.ca account to access it, and the fee is approximately $24.10. Verification can take up to 10 business days if you have not already set up your account. Once verified, you can view your record instantly. This is the most common way to check demerit points in Alberta online.
Method 2: In Person at an Alberta Registry Agent (Fastest Option)
Walk into any authorized Alberta registry agent and request a copy of your driver’s abstract on the spot. There is no wait for account verification, and you get the result immediately. GoldKey Registry is a local registry office where you can request your abstract and take care of other vehicle and licence services at the same time.
Method 3: By Mail
You can also submit a request by mail through Alberta Transportation. This is the slowest method and is generally used only when neither of the first two options is available to you.
Are Demerit Points Written on Your Ticket?
No. Demerit points are not listed anywhere on the physical traffic ticket you receive at the roadside. Your ticket will show the offence, the fine amount, and the section of the Traffic Safety Act you are alleged to have violated. The actual demerit points are only added to your driving record after conviction, which is why your driver’s abstract is the place to check your current total.
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How Long Do Demerit Points Last in Alberta?
Demerit points in Alberta remain on your driving record for two years from the conviction date. Once that two-year period passes, the points are automatically removed. You do not need to apply for removal or pay any fee. They simply fall off.
The key detail most drivers miss is that the two-year clock starts from the conviction date, not the date you received the ticket. If you paid your fine three months after getting the ticket, those three months do not count toward the two years. The clock started the day you paid.
Renewing your driver’s licence does not reset or remove demerit points. Each point carries its own two-year countdown from its individual conviction date, which means it is entirely possible to have points from two different convictions, each with a different expiry date, sitting on your record at the same time.
How long do speeding tickets stay on your record
The conviction from a speeding ticket stays on your driver’s abstract for three years, even though the demerit points associated with it expire after two years. That matters for insurance purposes, since insurers typically review your abstract going back three years when calculating your premiums at renewal.
When do demerits reset
Demerits do not reset automatically. A common question is whether demerits reset after a suspension. They do not reset to zero. After serving a demerit point suspension, a fully licensed driver’s record is reinstated with 7 points already on it. GDL drivers are reinstated with 3 points. Both sets of points remain for their respective two-year periods from the original conviction dates.
When Do You Actually Get Demerit Points?
You get demerit points at conviction, not when you receive the ticket. This distinction matters more than most drivers realize. Receiving a traffic ticket is simply a notice of an alleged offence. You become convicted, and therefore accumulate points, in one of two ways:
- You pay the fine. Under Alberta law, paying a traffic fine is considered an admission of guilt. The moment the payment is processed, you are considered convicted, and demerit points are applied from that date.
- You are found guilty in court. If you dispute the ticket and the court finds you guilty, the conviction date is the date of the court’s decision, not the date the ticket was issued.
How many demerit points do you start with
As for how many demerit points you start with: zero. Every driver begins with a clean slate. Points only accumulate as convictions are registered. There is no baseline total that gets deducted from.
Can You Reduce or Remove Demerit Points in Alberta?
There are two legitimate ways to reduce demerit points in Alberta:
Wait for the Two Years to Pass
The most straightforward option is to simply wait. Alberta demerit point removal happens automatically two years after the conviction date. No paperwork, no fees. If you have a low total and are not near the suspension threshold, waiting is often the practical choice.
Complete an Approved Defensive Driving Course
If you want to actively reduce your total, Alberta allows drivers to take an approved Merit Course (also called a defensive driving or driver education course) to have up to 3 demerits removed from their record. There are conditions:
- You must have 8 or fewer demerit points at the time of taking the course.
- This option is available once every two years.
- You must bring your certificate of completion to an Alberta registry agent to have the points formally removed from your record.
Commercial drivers have a separate path: the Professional Driver Improvement Course (PDIC), which also allows removal of up to 3 points.
Two things that will not remove demerit points: Renewing your driver’s licence does not clear your record, and neither does paying an additional fine after conviction. The conviction stands, and so do the points, until the two-year period expires or an approved course certificate is submitted.
Do Demerit Points Affect Your Insurance in Alberta?
Demerit points themselves do not directly affect your insurance premiums. Insurance companies in Alberta do not look at your demerit point total when calculating your rates. What they look at is your traffic conviction record.
That distinction is meaningful in practice. The same offence that earns you 3 demerit points also creates a conviction on your driving record, and it is that conviction that insurers use for risk assessment. Even a ticket with no associated demerit points, such as certain seatbelt infractions, can still raise your premiums because of the conviction itself.
How Much Can Convictions Raise Your Rate?
The impact varies by the severity and number of convictions. As a general guideline:
- A single minor conviction (minor speeding, for example) may raise your premium by 0 to 10 percent.
- Two traffic convictions within three years can increase premiums by 25 to 50 percent.
- Three convictions in three years can double your premiums or worse.
- Major convictions like careless driving or street racing can result in dramatic rate increases or a high-risk driver designation.
Insurers typically review the past three years of your driving record at renewal, which is one year longer than demerit points remain active. Even after the points expire, the conviction may still influence your rates.
Photo radar is the exception. Photo radar tickets in Alberta do not result in demerit points and do not affect your insurance premiums, because the driver cannot be individually identified from a photo radar image. The ticket goes to the registered owner of the vehicle as a fine only.
As of 2026, Alberta’s Good Driver rate cap means that even a single minor conviction can disqualify you from the 7.5 percent discount that clean-record drivers receive. It is worth factoring that into any decision about whether to dispute a ticket.
Do Demerit Points Transfer Between Provinces?
Yes, in most cases. Canada has an agreement called the Canadian Driver Licence Compact, which allows provinces and territories to share driver licensing information. In practical terms, this means that a traffic offence you commit in Ontario, Saskatchewan, or most other provinces can show up on your Alberta driving record as a demerit point conviction.
The most notable exception is British Columbia. BC does not share minor traffic infraction records with most other provinces, so a speeding ticket picked up in BC typically does not transfer to your Alberta record. However, serious convictions can still be shared even between BC and Alberta, so it is not a complete exemption.
Ontario and Quebec also have a specific bilateral agreement for sharing driving history, which is separate from the broader Canadian Driver Licence Compact framework.
One more thing worth knowing: even if demerit points from another province do not transfer to your Alberta record, unpaid fines from another jurisdiction can still cause problems when you try to renew your Alberta licence. The provinces cooperate on enforcement in more ways than just sharing point totals.
Demerit Points, Alberta: Conclusion
Staying on top of your demerit points in Alberta does not take much effort, but ignoring them can cost you your licence and raise your insurance premiums. Check your driver’s abstract regularly, drive within the limits, and if you are close to the threshold, a defensive driving course can buy you some breathing room. For a same-day abstract or any other registry service, visit GoldKey Registry in person or renew your registration online today.
How to Check Demerit Points in Alberta – FAQs
How many demerit points do I have in Alberta?
You can find out by requesting a Standard Driver’s Abstract, either online through Alberta.ca, in person at a registry agent like GoldKey Registry, or by mail. Your abstract shows your current demerit point total and any active traffic convictions.
How many demerit points before a licence suspension in Alberta?
For fully licensed (non-GDL) drivers, suspension kicks in at 15 or more points accumulated within two years. For GDL drivers (Class 5-GDL or Class 7), the threshold is 8 points. A cautionary notice is sent before you reach those limits.
Do demerit points go away on their own?
Yes. Demerit points are automatically removed from your record two years after the conviction date. No action is required on your part. Renewing your licence or paying additional fees will not speed up the process.
Are demerit points listed on a traffic ticket?
No. Your ticket shows the offence and the fine, but not the associated demerit points. Points are only recorded on your driving record after a conviction, either when you pay the fine or when a court finds you guilty.
Can I remove 3 demerit points in Alberta?
Yes, by completing an approved defensive driving or Merit Course. You must have 8 or fewer points at the time, and you can only use this option once every two years. Bring your completion certificate to a registry agent to have the 3 points removed.
Do Alberta demerit points affect insurance?
Not directly. Insurers look at traffic convictions, not the demerit point count. However, the offences that generate demerit points also generate convictions, and those convictions are what can raise your premiums.
When do you get your demerit points back?
You do not get points back in Alberta. Every driver starts at zero and accumulates points upward with each conviction. The two-year expiry reduces your total as older convictions fall off, but no mechanism to credit points back to your record.
How to check demerit points online in Alberta?
You can order a Standard Driver’s Abstract through the Alberta.ca eServices portal. You will need a verified Alberta.ca account, and the fee is approximately $24.10. Alternatively, you can walk into any Alberta registry agent and get your abstract on the spot, same day.
Do demerit points transfer between provinces?
Generally yes. Most provinces share traffic violation records through the Canadian Driver Licence Compact, so a conviction in Ontario or Saskatchewan can follow you to your Alberta record. British Columbia is the main exception, as it does not share minor infraction data with other provinces.
Is having 2 or 4 demerit points bad in Alberta?
On its own, 2 or 4 points will not trigger a suspension for a fully licensed driver, but the conviction behind those points can still affect your insurance premiums at renewal. For GDL drivers, 4 points already trigger a cautionary notice, so the margin is much tighter.
How many demerit points are allowed for a Class 5 licence in Alberta?
It depends on whether you hold a full Class 5 or a Class 5 GDL. A full Class 5 allows up to 14 points before a cautionary notice and suspension at 15. A Class 5 GDL follows the same rules as a Class 7, with a notice at 4 points and suspension at 8.
How many demerit points for failing to signal
In Alberta, failing to signal properly usually results in 2 demerit points on your driving record.
This can include:
- Failing to use a turn signal when changing lanes
- Not signalling before turning
- Improper signalling when entering or exiting traffic
The conviction also comes with a traffic fine, and repeated offences can impact your insurance rates over time.
How many demerit points for following too closely
In Alberta, a conviction for following too closely adds 3 demerit points to your driving record. This offence usually applies when a driver leaves an unsafe distance between vehicles, especially in heavy traffic or poor road conditions. Along with the demerits, drivers may also face fines and potential increases in insurance costs.
What Does 7 Demerit Points Mean in Alberta?
In Alberta, some serious traffic offences can add 7 demerit points to your driving record. One example is leaving the scene of a collision or failing to remain at the scene after an accident, commonly known as a hit and run. Receiving 7 points for a single offence can place drivers close to a suspension threshold and may also lead to higher insurance premiums and penalties.
Do demerit points expire in Alberta?
Yes. Demerit points expire two years after your conviction date and are removed from your record automatically. No action is needed on your part.
How Many Demerit Points for Failing to Obey a Stop Sign in Alberta?
Failing to stop properly at a stop sign in Alberta adds 3 demerit points to your driving record. On top of that, you can expect a traffic fine, and if you collect multiple violations over time, your insurance rates will likely take a hit too.
What Happens if You Fail to Obey a Traffic Control Device in Alberta?
Failing to obey a traffic control device in Alberta carries 2 demerit points. This covers traffic lights, lane signals, and road markings, but not stop signs, which are a separate offence.
What does having 8 demerit points in Alberta mean?
For a fully licensed driver, 8 points puts you in the cautionary zone. For a GDL driver, it means an automatic licence suspension.
What happens if you get 7 demerit points in Alberta?
A single 7-point offence, like leaving the scene of a collision, puts a fully licensed driver close to the suspension threshold in one hit. For GDL drivers, it triggers a cautionary notice with one point left before suspension.
How many demerits do I get for going 30 km/h over the speed limit in Alberta?
Going 30 km/h over falls in the 16 to 30 km/h range, which carries 3 demerit points plus a fine.
Can I still drive if I have 6 demerit points in Alberta?
Yes, if you hold a full licence. For GDL drivers, 6 points means you have already received a cautionary notice and are two points away from suspension.
Will my insurance go up with 3 demerit points in Alberta?
Not directly. Insurers look at the conviction, not the point count. A single minor conviction may have little effect, but two or more within three years can raise your premiums noticeably.
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