How to Earn Demerit Points Back
How does the demerit point system work in Alberta?... and can I get them removed from my driving record?
How Do Demerit Points Work?
Demerit points range from 2 to 7 depending on the offense (see a detailed list here). Accumulate 15 or more demerits on your driving record in a two-year period and you’ll have your licence suspended for 30 days.
Alberta Driver Fitness and Monitoring (formerly the Driver Control Board) sends out warning letters of suspension trouble looming when you go over 8 or more for class 5… 4 or more for GDL (Graduated Driver Licensing)… so it will never sneak up on you.
There Are Also Additional Ways To Lose Your License By Demerit Point Totals.
After you have served your suspension, your license is returned to you with 7 demerits rather than zero and for the next 2 years the 15 or more demerit point total still applies. Get 15 or more again within a two year period and your license will be suspended for 6 months. When you get your license back, you begin at 10 demerits.
Multiple suspensions whether class 5 or GDL will lead to a Code M condition on your drivers abstract which places serious constraints on your record: get 2 tickets within 2 years of that condition and you can expect to be suspended indefinitely… and that frequently lasts more than a year.
Two years after your conviction date, the demerits are removed from your license.
Can I Do Anything To Get Demerit Points Taken Off My Record?
In Alberta, you can take a private or government endorsed driver training or Defensive Driving Course (DDC or Merit Course), online or in a classroom, then apply your certificate of completion to your record to get a 3 demerit point credit.
If you have 2 or more tickets on your record and choose to complete a DDC please don’t apply it to your record until you contact us. Oftentimes there’s a more optimal time to apply the DDC then immediately after you complete it.
Remember... demerit point totals have absolutely no effect on your insurance... more about that here...
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