Check your licence status directly through Alberta's online system
The fastest way to find out whether your Alberta driver's licence is suspended is to use the Alberta One-Call system, which lets you look up your licence status online in minutes. You do not need to visit an office or call anyone — you can check from home using your computer or phone.
Go to www.albertaone-call.ca and select "Driver's Licence Status" from the menu. You will need your Alberta driver's licence number and your date of birth. The system will tell you when ready whether your licence is active, suspended, or cancelled. If it is suspended, the screen will show you the reason — whether it is for unpaid fines, failure to pay child support, medical reasons, or another cause.
This online check is free and available 24 hours a day. The information updates regularly, so if you recently paid a fine or resolved an issue, you may see the change within a few business days.
Key Takeaways
- Alberta One-Call at www.albertaone-call.ca shows your licence status when ready using your licence number and date of birth.
- A suspension can happen for unpaid fines, failure to pay child support, medical reasons, or driving-related violations, and the reason appears on your online result.
- If you cannot use the online system, you can call Service Alberta at 780-427-7013 in Edmonton or 403-297-7013 in Calgary during business hours.
- Once you resolve the reason for suspension — such as paying a fine or completing a medical review — you must request reinstatement through Service Alberta before you can drive legally again.
What causes a licence suspension in Alberta
Your Alberta licence can be suspended for several reasons, and knowing which one applies to you matters because each has a different path to getting your licence back. The most common cause is unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered fines. If you do not pay within the important date set by the court, Alberta Justice will report you to Service Alberta, which suspends your licence automatically.
A suspension can also happen if you owe child support payments. The Family Support Enforcement office can request a suspension if you fall behind, and this suspension stays in place until you bring your payments current. Medical suspensions occur when Alberta Health Services reports that you have a medical condition that makes it unsafe for you to drive — this might be a seizure disorder, severe vision loss, or another health issue that affects your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Driving-related suspensions happen when you accumulate too many demerit points, drive under the influence, refuse a breathalyzer test, or cause a serious collision. Each of these carries different suspension lengths and different requirements before you can drive again.
How to use Alberta One-Call if you do not have your licence number
If you have lost your licence or do not have the number handy, Alberta One-Call still works — you can look up your licence number using your name and date of birth instead. The system will find your record and show you the same status information.
If you cannot remember your date of birth or the system cannot find your record, you will need to contact Service Alberta by phone. Call 780-427-7013 in Edmonton or 403-297-7013 in Calgary. Lines are busiest in the morning, so calling in the afternoon usually means a shorter wait. Have your full legal name, date of birth, and any recent address changes ready when you call.
What to do if your licence is suspended
Once you know the reason for your suspension, your next step depends on what caused it. If it is an unpaid fine, you must pay the full amount to the court or the collection agency listed on your court documents. Payment alone does not automatically reinstate your licence — you must then request reinstatement through Service Alberta.
If the suspension is for child support arrears, contact Family Support Enforcement to arrange a payment plan or bring your account current. Once you have resolved the arrears, they will notify Service Alberta, and your licence will be reinstated.
For medical suspensions, you will need to see a doctor and have them complete a medical assessment form. Submit this form to Service Alberta along with a reinstatement request. The assessment must show that the medical condition no longer prevents you from driving safely.
For demerit point suspensions or driving-related suspensions, the length of the suspension is set by law. You cannot shorten it, but once the suspension period ends, you can request reinstatement. Some suspensions also require you to take a driver improvement course or pass a new road test before your licence is restored.
Requesting licence reinstatement after suspension ends
Reinstatement is not automatic — you must request it even after you have paid a fine, resolved child support, or completed a medical review. Contact Service Alberta in person, by phone, or online through Alberta One-Call to submit your reinstatement request.
By phone, call 780-427-7013 (Edmonton) or 403-297-7013 (Calgary). By mail, send your request to Service Alberta, Driver and Vehicle Licensing, 100 - 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, AB T5J 4R7. In person, visit any Service Alberta office. Bring proof that you have resolved the reason for suspension — a receipt for a paid fine, a letter from Family Support Enforcement, or a completed medical form.
Processing usually takes 5 to 10 business days. Once approved, your licence status will change to active in the Alberta One-Call system, and you can drive legally again.
Temporary driving permits while your licence is suspended
Alberta does not issue temporary driving permits that allow you to drive while your licence is suspended. If your licence is suspended, you cannot drive legally, even for work or medical appointments. Driving on a suspended licence is a criminal offence in Alberta and can result in fines up to $2,000, jail time, and a longer suspension.
If you need to drive for essential reasons — such as getting to medical treatment or work — you must first resolve the reason for suspension and request reinstatement. If the suspension will take weeks to resolve, talk to a lawyer about your options, as some situations may have legal exceptions, but these are rare and require court approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a suspension usually last?
It depends on the reason. Unpaid fine suspensions last until you pay. Child support suspensions end when you bring payments current. Medical suspensions last until you pass a medical review. Demerit point suspensions are usually 3 to 12 months depending on how many points you accumulated. Impaired driving suspensions are typically 1 to 5 years depending on whether it is a first or repeat offence.
Can I drive to work if my licence is suspended?
No. Driving on a suspended licence is illegal in Alberta, regardless of the reason. You cannot drive to work, to medical appointments, or anywhere else. If you are caught, you face fines, possible jail time, and a longer suspension. If you need to drive for essential reasons, you must resolve the suspension first.
Will my suspension show up on a background check?
A current suspension will show on a driving record check, which employers and insurance companies can request. Once your licence is reinstated, the suspension remains part of your driving history but is no longer active. Some employers and insurers may still see it depending on how far back they check.
What if I disagree with the suspension?
If you believe the suspension is wrong — for example, you paid a fine but the system still shows it as unpaid — contact Service Alberta when ready with proof of payment. If the suspension is for medical reasons and you disagree with the assessment, you can request a second medical opinion and submit it to Service Alberta for review. For other disputes, you may need to speak with a lawyer about your options.
Does my suspension carry over if I move to another province?
Alberta suspensions do not automatically transfer to other provinces, but your driving record does. If you move and try to get a licence in another province, that province will see your Alberta suspension history. Some provinces will honour the suspension, while others may handle it differently. Check with the motor vehicle office in your new province before you move.