Understanding Alberta’s Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) Program

If you’ve received an Immediate Roadside Sanction (IRS) in Alberta, one of the first things to understand is that not every IRS is the same.

Alberta’s Immediate Roadside Sanctions program includes different sanctions depending on the circumstances. You may see terms such as IRS Fail, IRS Warn, or IRS Zero: Novice on your paperwork.

The sanction you receive can affect your driver’s licence, your vehicle, the requirements you must complete, and, in some situations, your insurance options.

Here’s a closer look at what those terms mean.

What Is an Immediate Roadside Sanction in Alberta?

Alberta introduced the Immediate Roadside Sanctions program in December 2020 as part of the province’s impaired-driving laws.

The program allows administrative sanctions to be issued at the roadside. Depending on the type of IRS and whether there have been previous occurrences, consequences can include a driver’s licence suspension, vehicle seizure, financial penalties, education programs, and other requirements.

This is an important distinction because an IRS is an administrative sanction. It is not necessarily the same thing as being criminally convicted of impaired driving.

What Is an IRS Fail?

IRS Fail is the most serious level of Immediate Roadside Sanction.

It can apply when a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe a driver operated a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, or in other circumstances that meet Alberta’s IRS Fail criteria.

For an IRS Fail, the process begins with an immediate 90-day driver’s licence suspension. After that initial period, a further suspension applies depending on whether it is a first, second, or subsequent occurrence.

During the longer suspension period, some drivers may be able to return to driving through Alberta’s Ignition Interlock Program. Otherwise, they remain suspended until the applicable requirements have been satisfied.

An IRS Fail can also have a significant effect on your auto insurance.

What Is an IRS Warn?

An IRS Warn applies in different circumstances than an IRS Fail.

For alcohol-related situations, Alberta’s program applies IRS Warn when a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe a driver operated a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of at least 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.

The consequences escalate for repeat occurrences.

A first occurrence can result in a three-day immediate driver’s licence suspension, three-day vehicle seizure, and financial penalty. Second and third occurrences carry longer suspensions and vehicle seizures, higher penalties, and additional education requirements.

This is one reason it’s important to look at the exact sanction on your paperwork rather than simply assuming you’ve received a “DUI.”

What Is IRS Zero: Novice?

Alberta also has a zero-tolerance approach for novice drivers.

IRS Zero: Novice applies when a peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a novice driver has operated a vehicle with alcohol or drugs in their body.

This can result in an immediate driver’s licence suspension, vehicle seizure, and financial penalty.

If you’ve received IRS Zero: Novice, your requirements are not automatically the same as those of someone who has received an IRS Fail. Start with the specific sanction and instructions you were given.

Is an IRS the Same as a DUI?

Not necessarily.

“DUI” is a familiar term people often use when talking about impaired driving. However, Alberta’s current impaired-driving system also includes administrative Immediate Roadside Sanctions.

That means someone searching for information about a “DUI in Alberta” may actually be dealing with an IRS Fail, IRS Warn, or another sanction.

The distinction matters because the consequences and next steps depend on what was actually issued.

Does an IRS Affect Your Car Insurance?

It can.

An IRS Fail can significantly change your insurance options and premium. Even though an IRS is an administrative sanction rather than necessarily a criminal conviction, insurance companies may still consider the impaired-driving event when determining whether they will insure you and what premium they will charge.

Your existing insurer may no longer be your best option, and not every insurance company is willing to insure a driver following an IRS Fail or ignition interlock requirement.

However, an IRS Fail does not mean that you are automatically uninsurable.

Insurance may still be available, although your choices may be more limited and your premium will usually be higher than it was before the incident.

Can You Get Insurance While Your Licence Is Suspended?

Depending on why you need the coverage, yes.

A suspended driver’s licence does not necessarily mean that your vehicle must remain completely uninsured.

For example, you may need coverage while:

• Your vehicle is parked
• Another properly licensed driver uses the vehicle
• You are preparing to enter the Ignition Interlock Program
• You are working toward restricted driving privileges

What you cannot do is drive while you are fully suspended.

Where Does Ignition Interlock Fit In?

For some drivers who receive an IRS Fail, Alberta’s Ignition Interlock Program can become part of the process of returning to the road.

Insurance is an important part of that process.

For clients entering the Ignition Interlock Program, insurance generally needs to be in place before the interlock installation and before the registry can issue the appropriate restricted licence.

Your suspension, ignition interlock requirements, and insurance are related parts of getting back on the road, but they are not the same thing.

Completing an interlock requirement, for example, does not necessarily mean that the insurance impact of the impaired-driving incident disappears at the same time.

What Should You Do After Receiving an IRS?

Start by reviewing your paperwork carefully and identifying the exact sanction you received.

If you’ve received an IRS Fail and are beginning the process of getting back on the road, it can also help to obtain your 5-year driver’s abstract. Your driver’s abstract and driver’s licence number are two of the most important pieces of information you’ll need when requesting an insurance quote.

From there, the insurance requirements will depend on your particular situation.

DUI Insurance is a division of DND Insurance, specializing in helping Alberta drivers with insurance following impaired-driving convictions, IRS Fails, ignition interlock requirements, and licence reinstatement.

For qualifying drivers, DND Insurance has access to an exclusive Impaired Driving Insurance program through Peace Hills General Insurance Company.

If you’ve received an IRS Fail and aren’t sure where insurance fits into the process, our team can review your situation, explain your insurance options, and help you understand the next step.