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Alberta Class 7 overview

Alberta Class 7: Demerits, suspensions and impaired driving

Demerit point thresholds and offences, suspensions, fatigue and medication, and Alberta's Immediate Roadside Sanctions.

  • 33 questions
  • Topic drill
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Demerits, suspensions and impaired driving · Question 1Score 0/0

You are ticketed for driving 75 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. How many demerit points is that?

Study reference: Driver's Guide (Spring 2026), Ch. 9 Driving within the Law, pp. 107–118

All 33 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. You are ticketed for driving 75 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. How many demerit points is that?

    1. 6
    2. 2
    3. 4
    4. 3

  2. How many demerit points for failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk?

    1. 6
    2. 2
    3. 4
    4. 3

  3. If an impaired driving offence causes death or injury, what is the minimum licence suspension, even for a first offence?

    1. One year
    2. Six months
    3. Five years
    4. Three years

  4. How many demerit points for careless driving?

    1. 7
    2. 3
    3. 6
    4. 4

  5. What is the length of a first demerit-point suspension?

    1. One year
    2. Three months
    3. One month
    4. One week

  6. Which of these can impair your driving as much as alcohol?

    1. Eating a light snack while stopped
    2. Wearing dark tinted sunglasses on a bright, sunny day
    3. A cup of coffee before the drive
    4. Some prescription or over-the-counter medicines

  7. When must you hand in your licence for a demerit suspension?

    1. Never; you keep it during the suspension
    2. On or before the start date, at a registry
    3. Only if a police officer asks for it
    4. Within 30 days after the suspension starts

  8. After a first Criminal Code impaired driving conviction, how long is the licence suspension?

    1. 30 days
    2. One year
    3. Three years
    4. Five years

  9. How many demerit points for failing to stop for a school bus?

    1. 3
    2. 4
    3. 2
    4. 6

  10. How many demerit points for speeding 31 to 50 km/h over the limit?

    1. 3
    2. 4
    3. 6
    4. 2

  11. Can you appeal a demerit point suspension?

    1. No, but you can ask for a review of errors
    2. Yes, by paying a reinstatement fee
    3. Yes, at any registry agent office
    4. Yes, through your insurance company

  12. A first IRS: FAIL begins with how long a period of no driving at all?

    1. One year
    2. 30 days
    3. 24 hours
    4. 90 days

  13. What credit do you get for completing an approved defensive driving course before reaching 15 points?

    1. All points are removed from your record
    2. A 1-point credit
    3. A 3-point credit for two years
    4. Nothing

  14. A second demerit suspension occurs within one year of the first. How long is it?

    1. Three months
    2. Six months
    3. One year
    4. One month

  15. A Class 7 driver is found with any amount of alcohol. Under IRS ZERO: Novice, what is the licence suspension?

    1. A warning only
    2. A 90-day suspension after court
    3. An immediate 30-day suspension
    4. A 24-hour suspension

  16. A fully licensed driver gets a first IRS: WARN. What is the licence suspension?

    1. 90 days
    2. Three days
    3. 24 hours
    4. 30 days

  17. What does an ignition interlock device do?

    1. Locks the doors automatically when parked
    2. Tracks your speed and reports any speeding directly to police
    3. Stops the car starting if breath alcohol is too high
    4. Records any phone use while you drive

  18. The IRS: WARN program applies at what blood alcohol concentration?

    1. 80 mg in 100 mL of blood (0.08) or more
    2. 100 mg in 100 mL of blood (0.10) or more
    3. Any detectable amount at all
    4. 50 mg in 100 mL of blood (0.05) or more

  19. A Class 7 learner is caught driving at 1 a.m. What penalty applies under the demerit program?

    1. 2 demerit points for breaking the GDL curfew
    2. 6 demerit points
    3. No penalty if supervised
    4. An automatic one-year suspension of the learner's licence

  20. What happens if you drive while your licence is suspended?

    1. Only a $100 fine with no other penalty
    2. Jail or fines, a new suspension and a 30-day seizure
    3. Your current suspension is shortened
    4. Only a warning letter mailed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles

  21. How many demerit points for failing to remain at the scene of a collision?

    1. 3
    2. 7
    3. 5
    4. 6

  22. You feel tired on a long trip. What should you do?

    1. Stop for a rest and walk around
    2. Drink alcohol to stay alert
    3. Turn up the heat
    4. Drive faster to arrive sooner

  23. How many demerit points for failing to stop at a stop sign?

    1. 6
    2. 2
    3. 4
    4. 3

  24. A fully licensed driver's licence is automatically suspended at how many demerit points within two years?

    1. 15
    2. 12
    3. 8
    4. 10

  25. Under IRS ZERO: Novice, how long is the vehicle seized?

    1. 24 hours
    2. 30 days
    3. 7 days
    4. 3 days

  26. The IRS: FAIL program applies at what blood alcohol concentration within two hours of driving?

    1. Any detectable amount at all
    2. 50 mg in 100 mL of blood (0.05) or more
    3. 80 mg in 100 mL of blood (0.08) or more
    4. 120 mg in 100 mL of blood (0.12) or more

  27. How long do demerit points stay active on your driving record?

    1. Ten years
    2. Two years after conviction
    3. One year
    4. Five years from the offence date

  28. Under IRS: FAIL, how long is the vehicle seized?

    1. 3 days
    2. 7 days
    3. 30 days
    4. 90 days

  29. How many demerit points for an illegal U-turn?

    1. 2
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 6

  30. Who reviews challenges to Alberta's immediate roadside impaired-driving penalties?

    1. Your insurance company
    2. SafeRoads Alberta
    3. The driving school
    4. The registry agent

  31. How many demerit points for following too closely?

    1. 2
    2. 6
    3. 3
    4. 4

  32. A GDL driver receives a warning letter about their demerit standing at how many points?

    1. 1 to 3
    2. 8 to 14
    3. 4 to 7
    4. 10 to 15

  33. How long do convictions and suspensions remain on your driving record (driver's abstract)?

    1. 2 years
    2. For life
    3. 10 years
    4. 5 years

Demerits, suspensions and impaired driving: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Driver's Guide (Spring 2026), Ch. 9 Driving within the Law, pp. 107–118

  • Fatigue causes: lack of sleep, stress, boredom, long driving, physical activity, illness, eye strain; worsened by overeating, alcohol, warm car. Rest before trips; stop when tired.
  • Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines impair driving (drowsiness, dizziness); ask your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Impairment begins with the first drink or drug use.
  • Convicted when you pay the ticket, are found guilty, or are convicted in absence.
  • Convictions and suspensions stay on your record 10 years (driver's abstract).
  • Fully licensed: 8–14 points in 2 years → warning letter; 15+ → automatic suspension; reinstated with 7 points remaining.
  • GDL: 4–7 points in 2 years → letter; 8+ → automatic suspension; reinstated with 3 points remaining.
  • Points removed 2 years after the conviction date.
  • Approved defensive driving course before reaching 15 points → 3-point credit for 2 years.
  • Demerit suspensions: first 1 month; second within 1 year 3 months; third within 2 years 6 months (may require Registrar review).
  • Must surrender licence at a registry on or before the suspension date; demerit suspensions can't be appealed, but you may request a review for errors.
  • 7: failing to remain at a collision scene.
  • 6: careless driving; failing to stop for a school bus; racing; speeding 51+ km/h over.
  • 5: failing to stop at a railway crossing (school bus or vehicle carrying explosives/gas/flammable liquids); failing to stop for a peace officer.
  • 4: failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk; following too closely; speeding 31–50 over.
  • 3: driving left of the yellow line; wrong way on a one-way; failing to report a collision; failing to stop at a stop sign; running a red light; impeding a passing vehicle; improper passing; stunting; speeding 16–30 over; certain distracted driving offences.
  • 2: disobeying a traffic control device; improper backing (into intersection/crosswalk or unsafely onto highway); improper turns; illegal U-turn; lane violation; speeding up to 15 over.
  • GDL-specific 2 points: Class 7 curfew (midnight–5 a.m.); more passengers than seat belts; supervisor not fully qualified.
  • Criminal Code offences: impaired regardless of level; over the legal limit; refusing a sample; impaired causing bodily harm or death; driving while suspended or disqualified.
  • Criminal conviction: 1-year licence suspension (first); 3 years with one prior in 10 years; 5 years with two or more priors; minimum 5 years if death or injury, even a first offence.
  • Alberta Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS):
  • IRS 24-hour: impaired by physical/medical condition, drugs or alcohol → 24-hour disqualification.
  • IRS ZERO: Novice (Class 7 / Class 5-GDL, any alcohol or drugs) → immediate 30-day suspension, 7-day vehicle seizure, $200 fine + 20% victim surcharge.
  • IRS ZERO: Commercial: 3 days/$300; 15 days/$600; 30 days/$1,200.
  • IRS WARN (BAC ≥ 50 mg/100 mL, i.e. 0.05): 1st 3-day suspension, 3-day seizure, $300; 2nd 15 days, 7-day seizure, course, $600; 3rd 30 days, 7-day seizure, IMPACT program, $1,200.
  • IRS FAIL (impaired, BAC ≥ 80 mg/100 mL (0.08) within 2 hours, drug limits, or refusing a demand): 1st — 90 days no driving then 12-month suspension (interlock option), IMPACT program, 30-day vehicle seizure; later occurrences escalate (the guide shows a $2,000 fine for a later occurrence). First-occurrence fine amount not captured — do not generate a question about it.
  • Driving while suspended or disqualified: jail and/or fines, another suspension, vehicle seized 30 days regardless of owner.
  • SafeRoads Alberta reviews IRS penalties and vehicle seizures (decisions within 30 days).
  • Ignition interlock locks the ignition if breath alcohol is above the threshold; mandatory after Criminal Code impaired conviction.

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