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Demerit points are given to drivers after a traffic ticket or driving conviction. Accumulating too many points is one way to get a suspended licence, but will it affect auto insurance quotes?
Whether you are fully licensed under the Alberta driver's license system, or just getting started, drivers need to understand what convictions could tack on points and how they are acquired. This blog post answers your questions about how demerit points work in Alberta, where to find how many you have, and if they have any effect on your driving record.
In Alberta, demerit points are recorded against your driving record when you are convicted of a driving offence.
Not all traffic tickets are subject to demerits and minor convictions carry fewer than major ones. Depending on the severity of the traffic conviction, the number of demerits accumulated, your licence could be suspended. You are considered convicted of an offence when you :
Your conviction date is the date when any one of the above three actions occurs. They are applied to your driving record and the demerit points will remain on your record for two years from the date of conviction. Depending on the severity of the traffic conviction, and the number of demerits accumulated, your licence could be suspended. Under the Traffic Safety Act, fully licensed Class 5 drivers are allowed to accumulate up to 15 points before their licence is suspended.
Fully licensed drivers can accumulate up to 15 points before a licence suspension. This is also applicable to other classes – licence classes 1 to 6.
If you receive a total of eight or more (but less than 15 points), you will receive a cautionary notice in the mail. If you want to find out the summary of these actions, you will have to obtain your drivers abstract.
Once your suspensions are over, your licence will be reinstated with seven demerit points which will remain on your driving record for two years, beginning on the date of reinstatement. After the two years, the points will be removed from your record.
Drivers with a class Class 7 are afforded fewer demerit points than fully licensed drivers. Drivers with stage one learner’s or stage two probationary licences are permitted up to 8 points before a suspension. Other important information for new drivers :
There are three traffic violations GDL licensed drivers need to be aware of. If you are ticketed for the following, you will have 2 demerits added to your record :
Knowing how many demerit points you have is important. Points appear on your driver’s abstract. Visit your local Alberta Registry Private Service Center to obtain a copy of your abstract. The cost is about $20 (prices vary by location).
If you haven’t received a traffic ticket, you will not have demerit points. You will be notified via mail once you’ve reached 8 points (4 points for GDL drivers).
If you've seen an increase in your rates, it might be time to shop around for a new rate. Start comparing quotes today with our brokers.
The Alberta demerit points table from Alberta Transportation provides a complete list of driving convictions and demerit points :
7 demerit points
6 demerit points
5 demerit points
4 demerit points
3 demerit points
2 demerit points
Contrary to what many assume, demerit points do NOT have a direct impact on Alberta car insurance costs. Insurers don’t base premiums on the number of demerits, but they do base costs on the number of traffic convictions and the type of convictions. Since traffic convictions are tied to demerit points, accumulating demerits can indirectly increase your premium. Insurers determine fees individually, how much a ticket increases your costs depends on your provider.
The only way to reduce the number of demerit points on your driving record is to participate in an approved Defensive Driving Course or Professional Driver Improvement Course.
Distracted driving in Alberta continues to become a more serious road safety issue. Just recently the fine for distracted driving was increased to $300 and three demerits. However, if you are also charged with careless driving due to distracted driving, you could get up to 9 demerits added to your driving record.
The number of demerit points for speeding in Alberta depends on your ticket. The faster you are caught going over the limit, the more demerits you could receive. Demerits for speeding in Alberta are :
There is no way to check demerit points online in Alberta, you must visit your local registry and pay the associated fee.
Fully licensed drivers in Alberta can accumulate up to 15 demerit points. GDL drivers can accumulate up to 8 points before a licence suspension.
No. Demerit points will stay on your record for two years from the date of your conviction.
Drivers currently in the graduated driver’s licensing system can have up to 8 demerits on their record before a license suspension.
Demerit points will be removed from your record 2 years from the date of your driving conviction. You can also have demerits removed by passing an approved defensive driving test.
Yes. Traffic violations with demerit points in other provinces can be added to your driving record in Alberta. Through the Canadian Driver Licence Compact, provinces share driver licensing records. For example, if an Alberta driver received demerit points in Ontario, they would be added to your record.
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