Losing the ability to drive can be devastating for anyone, and there are lots of reasons for license suspension in Alberta. This can cause real problems in your life, whether it’s getting to and from work, to medical appointments, or even grocery shopping.
What are the reasons for license suspension, though? It’s understandable if most drivers don’t actually know. Still, if you’ve been issued numerous tickets recently, it’s definitely smart to be aware of the reasons for suspension of driver’s licenses in the province.
At We Defend, our expert team has been helping Alberta drivers avoid license suspension for over two decades. Here’s what you need to know about the reasons for license suspension.
Reasons for License Suspension in Alberta
The rules of the road in Alberta are laid out in the province’s Traffic Safety Act, and section 86 answers the question of ‘Why would someone’s license be suspended in Alberta?’ There are a few common reasons for license suspension.
- Demerit Point Suspensions
Demerit points stay on your driving record for two years, and for fully licensed drivers, getting 15 demerit points in that period will lead to a license suspension of one month. For drivers with graduated driver’s licenses, you only need 8 demerit points in a two-year period to have your license suspended. That makes it important to keep track of how many demerit points you’ve accumulated to avoid having a license suspension sneak up on you.
Demerit points can add up fast, too, making this one of the most common reasons for a license suspension. Getting a hit and run ticket, for example, can lead to 7 demerit points being added to your record, while a speeding ticket for going 16 to 30 km over the speed limit comes with 3 demerit points.
The penalties only worsen with further license suspensions.
- If you get a second license suspension within a year, your license will be suspended for three months.
- A third demerit point suspension within a two-year period results in a six-month suspension.
- Once your suspension is over, your license will be reinstated, but it will automatically carry seven demerit points for the next two years.
How to Avoid a Demerit Point Suspension
Part of why demerit point suspensions are one of the more common reasons for license suspension is that drivers often don’t realize how many demerit points they have on their record. That’s why it’s always advisable to fight tickets of any kind, whether they’re for speeding or not stopping at a crosswalk or anything else.
Getting representation from We Defend doesn’t just help you avoid costly fines. It can also limit or even eliminate the demerit points from a ticket and help you avoid license suspensions entirely by ensuring those points never appear on your record in the first place.
- Excessive Speeding
Speeding tickets can be expensive, no matter how much faster than the speed limit you were driving. If you’re going more than 50 km/hour above the speed limit, though, the consequences get really severe.
Not only could you be fined up to $2,000, but you could also face a license suspension of up to 90 days, making excessive speeding another common reason for license suspension.
How to Fight an Excessive Speeding Ticket
Drivers should always fight speeding tickets, regardless of how fast they were going. Speeding tickets not only come with expensive fines. There are also demerit points that can lead to a license suspension, and these can also impact your insurance premiums.
This is particularly true for excessive speeding tickets. The most effective way to avoid a license suspension is to hire We Defend to assist you with the process.
Avoid a License Suspension with We Defend
Losing your right to drive your vehicle can be devastating, and there are lots of reasons for license suspension in Alberta. Drivers don’t need to simply accept their fate when they’re given a ticket, though, and regardless of the reasons for license suspension you’re dealing with, the team at We Defend has immeasurable experience in cases just like yours and can keep you on the road.
“When emailed, Mr. Dixon reached out to me immediately and explained everything thoroughly. He was personable, transparent and most of all professional. Kept me in the loop throughout the process and won it for me. This man means business! Money well spent and I highly reccommend.” – Massa Lundhal
Take the first step to getting back on the road with a free consultation.
FAQ
How long does a license suspension stay on your record in Alberta?
Demerit point suspensions stay on your record for three years.
What is the most common reason for a suspended license?
Topping the list of the most common reasons for license suspension is the accumulation of demerit points. Because it only requires 15 demerit points in a two-year period for a fully licensed driver to have their license suspended, and some serious charges, such as careless driving, come with six demerit points, they tend to add up quickly.