Impaired Driving in Alberta

Drinking and driving can cost you your licence on the spot. In Alberta, police can give penalties right at the roadside. Criminal charges can come on top of that. This guide explains the penalties in plain words, including what happens to a new Class 7 or Class 5-GDL driver.

Every rule here comes from Government of Alberta and Government of Canada pages, checked in September 2026. Rules can change, so check alberta.ca before you rely on a number.

What counts as impaired driving

Alberta says impaired driving means driving under the influence of any of these:

• alcohol
• cannabis and other mind-altering drugs
• fatigue
• prescribed and over-the-counter medications

Tired driving is on that list for a reason. Alberta says being awake for 17 to 19 hours is like having a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.05. If long drives make you sleepy, read our guide on how to stay alert driving long distances in Alberta.

The Government of Canada calls impaired driving the leading criminal cause of death and injury in Canada.

Two kinds of penalties

Alberta has Immediate Roadside Sanctions, often called IRS, under the Traffic Safety Act. Police can also lay charges under the Criminal Code of Canada, and a court can add more penalties.

The roadside penalty starts fast. Once police issue a Notice of Administrative Penalty, your suspension begins right away. Penalties grow with each repeat occurrence.

Checkstops and breath tests

Police set up checkstops throughout the year, and the locations change often. Under mandatory alcohol screening, police can ask for a breath sample from any driver they lawfully stop. They do not need to suspect you have been drinking.

Refusing is not a way out. A driver who refuses, sober or not, can face a criminal charge. If police suspect drugs, a roadside oral fluid test can show THC, cocaine or methamphetamine.

Roadside penalties for alcohol and drugs

Each fine below also carries a 20 percent victim fine surcharge.

IRS 24. If police suspect alcohol, drugs, or a physical or medical condition affects your driving, you can get a 24-hour licence suspension.

IRS WARN. This applies when your BAC is between 0.05 and 0.079, or you fail drug and alcohol sobriety tests.

• First time: a 3-day licence suspension, a 3-day vehicle seizure and a $300 fine.
• Second time: a 15-day suspension, a 7-day vehicle seizure, a $600 fine and the Crossroads course. The Planning Ahead course may be accepted instead.
• Third time: a 30-day suspension, a 7-day vehicle seizure, a $1,200 fine and the IMPACT Program.

IRS FAIL. This applies when your BAC is 0.08 or more, you fail or refuse drug and alcohol testing, or you fail drug recognition tests.

• First time: 90 days with no driving at all, then a further 12-month suspension. During those 12 months you can join the interlock program and drive a vehicle fitted with an ignition interlock device. You also take the Planning Ahead course, lose your vehicle for 30 days and pay a $1,000 fine.
• Second time: 90 days with no driving, then a further 36-month suspension with the same interlock option. You take the IMPACT Program, lose your vehicle for 30 days and pay a $2,000 fine.
• Third time: 90 days with no driving, then a lifetime suspension with the interlock option. If you meet the rules, you can apply to have it lifted after 10 years, but approval is not certain. Your vehicle is seized for 30 days and the fine is $2,000.

The interlock is an alcohol sensing device fitted to the vehicle. It is not free. Alberta lists $98 plus GST a month to rent it and $63 for the application, plus the registry agent fee. If you do not join the program, your licence stays suspended.

What happens to a new GDL driver

New drivers have a zero tolerance rule. It is called the IRS ZERO: Novice Program, and it applies to any alcohol and drugs. It covers the Class 7 learner's licence and the Class 5-GDL licence.

So for a new driver, one drink is too many. The novice penalties are:

• an immediate 30-day licence suspension
• a 7-day vehicle seizure
• a $200 fine plus the 20 percent victim fine surcharge

There is a second cost that many new drivers miss. To move from a Class 5-GDL to a full Class 5 licence, you need 2 years on your GDL. Finishing a Class 5 driver training program at a school licensed by the Alberta government may cut that by up to 6 months. You also need no suspensions or demerits in the last 12 months. So a suspension means waiting for a clean 12 months before you can upgrade.

Learn how the two stages work in our guide to Alberta's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system.

Parents, this is worth a talk at home. Canada says young people are the largest group of drivers who die in crashes and later test positive for alcohol or drugs.

Criminal charges can come on top

Across Canada, driving with a BAC of 0.08 or more is a criminal offence. Driving while impaired by any drug can also bring criminal charges. That includes cannabis, illegal drugs, and prescription and over-the-counter medicine.

If a court finds you guilty, Alberta says you may need to:

• serve a federal driving prohibition ordered by the court
• pay a reinstatement fee at an Alberta registry agent
• complete an education course
• take part in the Mandatory Ignition Interlock Program
• pass a road test

The Government of Canada also warns that driving high can bring heavy fines, jail time and a criminal record.

Cannabis needs a special word. Canada says there is no guidance on how much cannabis is safe before driving, or how long to wait after using it. So if you use it, do not drive.

Can you dispute a roadside penalty?

Yes, through SafeRoads Alberta. You must ask for a review within 7 days of the date the notice was issued. The review fee is $150 and it is not refundable. The review is held within 21 days of the date you got the notice.

Know the limits. Money trouble is not a reason to cancel a notice. Needing your car to get to work is not a reason either.

Plan your ride home

Impaired driving can always be prevented. Before you go out, choose how you will get home:

• pick a designated driver who stays sober
• call a taxi or a ride share
• book a designated driver service
• take public transit
• call a friend or family member

Hosting a party? Alberta says a host may be held legally or civilly liable for damage caused by an impaired driver. Serve food, ask guests to leave their keys at the door, and make sure everyone has a safe ride.

Learn the rules before your knowledge test

To get a Class 7 licence in Alberta, you study the Driver's Guide and pass a knowledge test. The Driver's Guide explains impaired driving, the roadside penalties and the zero tolerance rule for new drivers. Arrow's Knowledge Test Prep is a one-on-one session with a certified instructor. It is $200 + GST. See Knowledge Test Prep or call (780) 721-8282.