Alberta’s Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) program took effect in December 2020. It lets police impose administrative penalties for impaired driving immediately, under the Traffic Safety Act. Once police issue a Notice of Administrative Penalty, your suspension starts right away. Penalties escalate with each prior occurrence. For the big picture, see our Alberta impaired driving laws guide.
IRS 24-hour
Used when police suspect impairment by alcohol, drugs or a physical or medical condition. Your licence is suspended for 24 hours.
IRS WARN (0.05 to 0.079)
Applies when your blood alcohol concentration is between 0.05 and 0.079, or you fail drug and alcohol sobriety tests.
| Occurrence | Licence suspension | Vehicle seizure | Fine | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 3 days | 3 days | $300 | — |
| Second | 15 days | 7 days | $600 | Crossroads course (Planning Ahead may be accepted) |
| Third | 30 days | 7 days | $1,200 | IMPACT Program |
IRS FAIL (0.08 or more, refusal, failed drug tests)
Applies when your blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 or more, you fail or refuse drug and alcohol testing, or you fail drug recognition tests.
| Occurrence | Licence suspension | Vehicle seizure | Fine | Education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | 90 days, then 12 months (interlock option) | 30 days | $1,000 | Planning Ahead |
| Second | 90 days, then 36 months (interlock option) | 30 days | $2,000 | IMPACT Program |
| Third | 90 days, then lifetime (interlock option) | 30 days | $2,000 | IMPACT Program |
After the first 90 days, you can drive during the longer suspension only by joining Alberta’s IRS FAIL Ignition Interlock Program. If you don’t join, you stay suspended.
IRS ZERO: Novice and Commercial
Novice drivers (Class 7 learner and Class 5-GDL) have zero tolerance for any alcohol or drugs: a 30-day suspension, a 7-day vehicle seizure and a $200 fine. Commercial drivers have a separate zero-tolerance program. See Alberta GDL zero-tolerance rules.
All fines include a 20% victim fine surcharge. Full penalty details are in Alberta DUI penalties.
Frequently asked questions
IRS FAIL is Alberta's most serious Immediate Roadside Sanction. It applies at 0.08 or more, for refusing or failing testing, or for failing drug recognition tests, and brings a 90-day suspension, a 30-day vehicle seizure and a $1,000 fine on a first occurrence.
A 3-day licence suspension, a 3-day vehicle seizure and a $300 fine plus a 20% victim fine surcharge.
Not for the first 90 days. After that you may drive only with an ignition interlock device through Alberta's IRS FAIL Ignition Interlock Program, for the rest of the suspension term.
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This article is general information about Alberta and Canadian impaired driving law as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Penalties and procedures can change; speak with a lawyer about your situation.
Sources: Government of Alberta, Impaired driving penalties; Government of Alberta, IRS FAIL Ignition Interlock Program; Department of Justice Canada, Impaired driving laws.
