Policy

ATTENTION:
Please refer to COVID-19 Emergency Interim Policies which provides details for temporary exceptions to this policy.

Effective December 1, 2020, the Alberta Zero Alcohol / Drug Tolerance (AZADT) Program was replaced by the IRS ZERO: Novice Program.  A suspension under the AZADT Program will no longer be issued to drivers for occurrences on or after December 1, 2020.

The IRS ZERO: Novice Program applies to drivers with a Class 7 Learner's Licence or Class 5 - Graduated Driver's Licence (GDL). These drivers must have a zero (0.00) blood alcohol concentration or blood drug concentration when driving. If a Class 7 or Class 5 GDL driver are found to be driving with any detectable amount of alcohol or drugs, they are subject to an immediate driver’s licence suspension under the IRS ZERO: Novice Program.

The IRS ZERO: Novice Program automatically imposes the following:

Suspension Program	Immediate Driver’s licence suspension/disqualification	Vehicle seizure	Fines
IRS ZERO: Novice	30-day driver's licence	Seven-day	$200 fine plus victim fine surcharge

GDL learners and drivers found to have a blood alcohol level which is equal to or exceeds the legal limits are subject to the Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) Program of IRS: FAIL and possible Criminal Code (Canada) charges; see 3.30.07 Alberta Administrative Licence Suspension (AALS) Program & Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) Program of IRS FAIL.

Review Process

An IRS ZERO: Novice suspension / disqualification can be reviewed by SafeRoads Alberta. See 3.30.11 SafeRoads Alberta Review Application and other SafeRoads Alberta Services.

Fees

For reinstatement fees, see the Registry Agent Product Catalogue (pdf).

Date Originally Issued: Nov 14, 1989
Date Last Revised: Jul 07, 2021