Alberta Driver’s Abstract: When You Need It & How Much It Costs
Remember getting your driver’s license? It’s an exciting and important milestone for many. When you get your driver’s license, a history of your driving starts being recorded. From your first day as a licensed driver to the very last day you drive a car, that record sticks with you and is tied to your individual license number.
Over time, your driving record will accumulate data including your identification details, conditions and endorsements, demerit point details, license suspensions, convictions, fines and more.
For various reasons, you may need to obtain a copy of this data, and below, we’ll dig into what Alberta drivers need to know about getting a driver’s abstract, why they might need one, how it works, what it costs, and what to expect along the way.
What is an Alberta driver's abstract and when would you need one?
For various reasons, you may need to obtain a copy of your driving record, which is called an abstract. This may be required to apply for certain jobs, to apply for Alberta vehicle insurance, to apply for a driver’s license in another province if you’re moving, or to confirm your address in court.
Drivers in Alberta can get a printed summary of their driving record, including merit and demerit points, convictions and suspensions. There are various ways to apply, and various documents are required, depending on how you want to obtain yours—or one for a minor (if you’re their legal parent or guardian).
Standard and Commercial driver’s abstracts
In Alberta, both Standard and Commercial driver’s abstracts are available, covering 3, 5 or 10 year periods.
“All Alberta driving records are maintained in accordance with the Traffic Safety Act and provincial regulations” says our expert.
“A driver’s abstract displays a driver’s history within a specified time period. The information on an abstract is based on the time frame of the abstract requested (3, 5, or 10 years) and the conviction date of the driving-related offence.”
Note that the conviction date of an offence isn’t the date of the offence itself.
“Abstracts are needed to confirm a driver’s driving record or a driver’s driving history for clarification of demerit points or other traffic violations or suspensions” adds our expert.
In order to have a clean driver’s abstract, your driving history must be free of any demerit points or other traffic violations.
How to get driver’s abstract in Alberta
To get a driver’s abstract in Alberta, start by visiting Alberta's driver abstract website. You’ll find information about the types of abstracts available, instructions for applying, and an outline of the documents you need to provide for each type of abstract, whether the Standard Driver’s Abstract or Commercial Driver’s Abstract.
Request online or at your nearest registry
To order a driver’s abstract online in Alberta, you’ll need a verified MyAlberta Digital ID. If you don’t have one already, get signed up here, allowing about 10 days for the account to be activated.
Alternatively, you can download, print and fill out this downloadable form, track down the nearest registry agent, and drop off your application along with supporting photo ID.
A Standard Driver’s Abstract contains the client’s name and address, licence number and class, issue and expiration date, date of birth, height, weight, sex, current demerit points total, suspension status, reinstatement conditions (if applicable) and a list of violations.
How much does an Alberta driver’s abstract cost?
According to our expert, “the cost of both standard and commercial abstracts are split into two parts: government Fee of $15 and a registry service fee. This registry service fee is determined by the registry agent office”.
In general, expect to pay about $23 in total for a driver’s abstract, whether standard or commercial.
After your driver’s abstract application is received, expect about 2 to 3 weeks for processing.
How long is a drivers abstract valid in Alberta?
“Abstracts do not have an expiry date” explains our expert.
“However, abstracts are a “point-in-time” document that can change as a result of activity around the driver’s record or history. Abstracts can be requested in 3, 5, or 10 year periods.”
How long does a speeding ticket stay on your abstract in Alberta?
In Alberta, demerit points are removed from your driving record 2 years from your conviction date—not the date of the offence.
Our expert explains “violation tickets issued by a peace officer (not including photo radar tickets) are applied to a driver’s record when they are found guilty in Court, are convicted in absence, or the ticket is paid on or before the specified Court date. Demerit points associated with a ticket will stay on the driving record for a period of two years from the date of conviction.
Depending on the length of the driver’s abstract (3 years, 5 years, 10 years), violation tickets will be visible.”
How do commercial driver’s abstracts work in Alberta?
A commercial driver abstract provides most of the same information as the standard driver abstract and, in addition, it includes information about Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspections. Unlike the standard abstract which includes height, weight and gender, the commercial abstract does not include information about the driver’s appearance.
A standard Alberta driver abstract doesn’t show the individual’s driving experience or first date licensed. A commercial driver abstract includes most of the same information as the driver abstract, but also includes information about Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) inspections.
On a Commercial Driver’s Abstract, you’ll find the client’s name and address, license number and class, issue and expiration date, demerit points, suspension status, reinstatement conditions (if applicable), a list of violations including descriptions, demerit / merit points and suspension terms), and CVSA inspection information.
The Commercial Driver Abstract doesn’t include information about the driver’s appearance.
