If the police just charged you with impaired driving in Alberta, or you’re trying to figure out what these new 2025 laws mean, you’re not alone.

The truth is, Alberta’s DUI and impaired driving laws aren’t just strict, they’ve gotten even tougher in 2025. The penalties are harsher. The rules are more complicated. And the room for error, whether by the driver or the police, keeps getting smaller.

At JustCharged.com, we help people all across Alberta connect with experienced DUI and impaired driving lawyers who know how to navigate this system. Because once you’re charged, time matters, and sound legal advice can make all the difference.

 

DUI vs. Impaired Driving: What’s the Difference in Alberta?

 

Most people use the words DUI and impaired driving like they mean the same thing. In Alberta, they often do overlap, but here’s the simple version:

DUI (Driving Under the Influence): You’re over the legal blood alcohol limit, usually 0.08%.

Impaired Driving: You may be under 0.08%, but your ability to drive is impaired, whether by alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both.

Both can get you charged. Both can lead to severe penalties. Both have undergone major updates in 2025.

 

Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS): Alberta’s New Normal

 

Alberta’s Immediate Roadside Sanctions (IRS) program is now the primary method for handling DUI cases. If the police pulled you over and the officer believes you’re impaired, you can be hit with penalties right there at the roadside, and they’re administrative, so you can’t challenge them the way you can a criminal charge. However, a skilled Immediate Roadside Sanctions lawyer Alberta can effectively challenge them and often wins at the administrative hearing.

Here’s what’s new in 2025:

• 90-day (or longer) licence suspensions start immediately
• Vehicle impoundments for at least 30 days
• Administrative fines start at $2,000 and climb fast
• No criminal record on the IRS, but don’t let that fool you. The real-world consequences can be brutal.

You still have the right to challenge an IRS suspension. But you’ve got to move quickly.

 

Refusing a Breath or Blood Test? It’s Worse Now.

 

Some people believe that refusing a breathalyzer test may help avoid a DUI charge. Not anymore. In fact, under Alberta’s 2025 laws, refusing the test often leads to even harsher penalties than failing it.

DUI refusal penalties Alberta 2025 now include the following:

• Immediate licence suspension, often up to 2 years
• Criminal charges, with long-term consequences
• Fines that can easily top $3,000
• Mandatory ignition interlock and education programs

The rule is simple: ask the officer if you have the right to contact a lawyer before you blow. If they say “no,” cooperate with the officer, then contact a DUI lawyer immediately. The sooner you act, the better your options will be.

 

Zero Tolerance: Who Now Falls Under the Stricter Rules?

 

The zero-tolerance policies have expanded. In 2025, more drivers fall under these rules, where any amount of alcohol or drugs can get you suspended, even if you’re not legally impaired.

Zero tolerance DUI rules Alberta now apply to:

• Rideshare and delivery drivers (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, etc.)
• Medical marijuana users behind the wheel
• Drivers under 22 years old, regardless of licence stage

If you fall into one of these groups, even trace amounts can trigger a suspension or IRS penalty.

 

Cannabis-Impaired Driving: Alberta Cracking Down in 2025

 

There’s a lot of confusion about cannabis and impaired driving. Some people assume cannabis is safer or somehow “different” from alcohol when it comes to DUI charges.

In Alberta, impaired is impaired.

Here’s what’s happening now:

• The police are using THC saliva test Alberta DUI to detect THC levels
• Police have expanded drug recognition training
• Cannabis DUI charges follow the same process as alcohol DUI charges

If you’re charged with cannabis-impaired driving, the penalties are real, and they can be life-changing without proper legal help.

 

New Police Technology: Faster Testing, More Challenges

 

Alberta police are now utilizing advanced roadside testing technology to detect impaired drivers more quickly and accurately.

• Faster roadside breathalyzers
• Mobile blood testing kits for drugs like THC
• Body cameras record every stop

These tools help police, but they also create new legal issues. Mistakes happen. Procedures get skipped. The police might violate your rights. A skilled DUI lawyer knows how to review the evidence and challenge errors that could change the outcome of your case.

 

Why These 2025 Changes Matter To You

 

Even if you’ve never been charged before, these changes mean:

• It’s easier than ever to get charged
• First-time offenders face very harsh penalties
• Your licence, your job, your insurance, everything’s at risk

And most importantly, don’t assume you don’t have a defence. You might be wrong.

If you’re wondering what to do after a DUI charge Alberta, the answer is simple: get legal advice immediately.

 

How JustCharged.com Helps

 

When you’re facing DUI charges, everything moves fast. You need help, now.

At JustCharged.com, we make it easy to find a trusted DUI or impaired driving lawyer near you. Whether you’re in:

• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Red Deer
• Lethbridge
• Or anywhere else in Alberta…

We’ll connect you with an experienced lawyer who knows how to fight DUI charges in Alberta.

Your lawyer can help you:

• Fight your charges
• Challenge IRS penalties
• Protect your licence and insurance
• Work to avoid a criminal record

Free consultations available, No obligation to hire, Fast, confidential, and local

Visit JustCharged.com and get connected today.

 

Final Word: Don’t Wait. Get Legal Advice Now.

 

Alberta’s 2025 DUI laws are strict. The penalties are harsh. The window to act is short.

• Never plead guilty without getting legal advice first.
• Don’t assume there’s nothing you can do.
• Get a skilled DUI lawyer involved, fast.

At JustCharged.com, we’re here to help you take that first step.