Demerit Points
Understanding Alberta’s Demerit Point System
If you drive in Alberta, you’ve probably heard of demerit points, but do you know how they actually work, how long they stay on your record, or what happens if you collect too many?
At Ticket Help, we break it down for you, so you know what’s at stake and how to protect your licence and insurance rates.
What Are Demerit Points?
Demerit points are penalties added to your driving record when you’re convicted of certain traffic offences. Think of them like warning marks on your licence, the more you collect, the higher the risk of suspension and increased insurance premiums. This is crucial to know, because fighting a ticket could determine whether you receive demerits on your driving record.
Demerit Point Limits for Fully Licensed Drivers (Class 5)
If you hold a full Class 5 licence (non-GDL), here’s how suspensions work:
- 8–14 points → You’ll get a cautionary notice in the mail.
- 15 points in 2 years → Automatic 1-month licence suspension.
- Second suspension within 1 year → 3-month suspension.
- Third (or more) suspension in 2 years → 6-month suspension, plus you may need to appear before the Alberta Transportation Safety Board.
When your suspension ends, your licence comes back with 7 points still on your record for the next 2 years.
Demerit Point Limits for GDL Drivers
If you’re still in the Graduated Driver’s Licence (GDL) program, the rules are even stricter:
- 4–7 points → Cautionary notice in the mail.
- 8 points in 2 years → Automatic 1-month suspension.
- Second suspension within 1 year → 3-month suspension and a mandatory Board hearing.
- Third (or more) suspension in 2 years → 6-month suspension and another hearing.
After a suspension, your licence is reinstated with 3 points on your record for 2 years.
How Long Do Demerit Points Stay on Your Record?
- Demerit points are added on the date of conviction. When you pay the ticket or are found guilty in court NOT the day you were pulled over.
- They stay on your record for 2 years from that conviction date.
This means one speeding ticket today could still affect your insurance rates two years from now.
Common Offences and Their Demerit Values
Some common Alberta traffic offences that carry demerit points include:
- Speeding
- Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light
- Careless driving
- Following too closely
- Distracted driving
Each offence carries a different number of points, and they add up quickly.
Why This Matters
Demerit points don’t just risk your licence; they can also cause your insurance premiums to skyrocket. Even one ticket can mean higher costs for years.
That’s why it’s important to fight tickets before they stick to your record. At Ticket Help, we help drivers across Alberta reduce or eliminate demerit points and keep insurance rates in check.