Chapter nine heading left.


Provincial: Traffic Safety Act

Offences related to impaired driving are:

  • Anyone found guilty under Section 253 or 254 of the Criminal Code of Canada is disqualified from driving and their licence is suspended for one year from the date of the finding of the guilt, Section 83(1).
  • Anyone found guilty under Section 253 or 254 of the Criminal Code of Canada, who has a prior offence in the last 10 years, is disqualified from holding an operators licence for three years from the date of the finding of the guilt, Section 83(2)(a)(b).
  • Anyone found guilty under Section 253 or 254 of the Criminal Code of Canada, who has two or more prior offences in the last 10 years, is disqualified from holding an operators licence for five years from the date of the finding of the guilt, Section 83(3)(a)(b).
  • If a death or injury occurs as a result of an impaired offence, the minimum licence suspension will be five years even for a first offender.

Alberta Administrative Licence Suspensions

The Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension (AALS) means that drivers charged with an alcohol-related offence will face an automatic suspension of their driving privileges. No conviction is necessary.

Any driver who is charged with having a breath or blood sample over .08 or refuses a demand for a breath or blood sample will receive an automatic three-month suspension. This is in addition to any court ordered prohibition.

If the individual holds a valid Alberta driver's licence, a 21-day temporary permit is granted before the suspension begins. Temporary driving privileges are intended to allow time for drivers to get their affairs in order.

If an impaired driver causes bodily harm or death, the AALS suspension ensures that their licence is taken away for at least six months, on-the-spot.


Page 142