How to check if your Alberta license is suspended
You can find out whether your Alberta driver's license is suspended by contacting Alberta Transportation or checking online through the province's driver record system. The fastest way is to call the Alberta Driver Examination office directly, or you can request your driving record in person at a registry office. If you suspect your license has been suspended, you should check right away — driving on a suspended license carries serious penalties, including fines and possible jail time.
Alberta Transportation maintains records of all license suspensions, whether they result from unpaid traffic fines, medical concerns, criminal convictions, or failure to pay child support. The suspension is recorded in the province's system when ready, so the information you receive will be current.
Key Takeaways
- Call the Alberta Driver Examination office at 780-427-8724 (Edmonton) or 403-297-6000 (Calgary) to ask directly whether your license is suspended.
- You can request a copy of your driving record at any Alberta registry office for a small fee, which will show any active suspensions.
- Suspensions in Alberta come from traffic violations, unpaid fines, medical reports, criminal convictions, or failure to pay court-ordered support.
- If your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive until the suspension is lifted and you have completed any required steps.
Calling Alberta Transportation directly
The quickest way to learn your suspension status is to phone Alberta Transportation. In Edmonton, call 780-427-8724; in Calgary, call 403-297-6000. Have your driver's license number ready when you call. The staff member can tell you when ready whether your license is suspended, why it was suspended, and what you need to do to have it reinstated.
If you are calling from outside these cities, you can reach the main Alberta Transportation line and ask to be transferred to the Driver Examination office. Be prepared to provide your full name, date of birth, and driver's license number so they can pull up your record.
Checking your driving record at a registry office
You can also request a copy of your driving record in person at any Alberta registry office. Bring your driver's license or another form of government-issued photo identification. The registry staff will print your record, which shows your license status, any active suspensions, and the reason for the suspension. This record costs a small fee (usually between $10 and $20, depending on the registry).
A printed driving record is useful if you need proof of your status for insurance purposes, employment, or court proceedings. The record is valid for a limited time, so if you need it for an official reason, ask the registry how long it remains current.
Common reasons for license suspension in Alberta
Alberta Transportation suspends licenses for several reasons. The most common is failure to pay a traffic fine or court-ordered fine within the important date. If you received a ticket and did not pay it by the due date, your license may have been suspended automatically.
Other reasons include accumulating too many demerit points (which happens when you receive multiple traffic violations), driving under the influence, refusing a breath test, failing a medical examination, or being convicted of a criminal offence. Some suspensions also result from failure to pay child support or spousal support ordered by a court.
If you have been reported to Alberta Transportation by a doctor due to a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely, your license may be suspended pending a medical review. You would receive a letter explaining this and the steps to have the suspension reviewed.
What to do if your license is suspended
Once you know why your license is suspended, you can take steps to have it lifted. If the suspension is due to unpaid fines, you must pay the fine in full. Contact the court or the agency that issued the fine to find out the exact amount owed and how to pay it. Once payment is received and processed, the suspension is usually lifted within a few business days.
If the suspension is due to demerit points or traffic violations, you may need to wait out a mandatory suspension period. Alberta has set timeframes for how long a suspension lasts based on the reason. For example, a suspension for excessive demerit points typically lasts a minimum of 30 days, but you cannot drive during this time under any circumstances.
If the suspension resulted from a medical report, you will need to undergo a medical examination and provide documentation that you are fit to drive. Contact Alberta Transportation to find out which doctor or clinic can perform this assessment and what documents you need to bring.
Penalties for driving on a suspended license
Driving while your license is suspended is a serious offence in Alberta. You can be fined up to $2,000, have your vehicle impounded, and face jail time. A conviction for driving with a suspended license also adds demerit points to your record and can result in a longer suspension period.
If you are stopped by police and your license is suspended, the officer will likely issue you a ticket. Even if you were not aware the suspension was in place, the law does not excuse you from the penalty. This is why checking your status as soon as you suspect a problem is important.
Reinstating your license after suspension
The reinstatement process depends on why your license was suspended. If you paid a fine, your suspension is lifted automatically once the payment clears. If you completed a mandatory suspension period, you can straightforward resume driving once the period ends — no additional paperwork is required.
If your suspension was medical-related, you must provide proof from a doctor that you are safe to drive. Some suspensions also require you to pass a written test or road test before you can drive again. Alberta Transportation will tell you exactly what is required when you contact them about your suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn about my license is suspended?
If you call Alberta Transportation, you can learn your status within minutes. If you visit a registry office, you will have your driving record printed the same day. The information in the system is updated regularly, so you will get current information either way.
Can I drive if I think my license might be suspended but I am not sure?
No. If you have any reason to believe your license might be suspended, do not drive. The penalty for driving on a suspended license is severe. Check your status first by calling Alberta Transportation or visiting a registry office.
What if I disagree with the suspension?
You have the right to request a review. Contact Alberta Transportation to explain your situation and ask about the appeal process. The process varies depending on the reason for the suspension, so ask what steps you need to take to have your case reviewed.
Will a suspension show up on my driving record permanently?
A suspension will remain on your driving record, but it will not affect your record forever. Once the suspension is lifted and you have met all requirements, you can resume driving. However, the fact that you were suspended may be visible on your record for insurance or employment purposes for a period of time.
What if I moved and did not receive notice of the suspension?
Alberta Transportation sends suspension notices to the address on file with your license. If you moved and did not update your address, you may not have received the notice. However, the suspension is still in effect. Update your address with Alberta Transportation when ready and check your status to find out what you owe or what steps you need to take.