Penalties and costs for impaired driving

First offence

Penalties

	Highway Safety Code	Criminal Code
Upon arrest	Immediate licence suspension: 24 hours or 90 days (depending on the situation) Immediate vehicle seizure and impoundment: 30 days
Following a criminal conviction	Prohibition from driving for a minimum one-year period Licence revocation: one or three years or longer (depending on the decision of the court) Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving⁠ ⁠ (PERRCCA) (depending on the situation) (website in French only) Alcofrein program Mandatory alcohol ignition interlock device (variable duration)	Criminal record Mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 Prohibition from driving for a minimum one-year period

In the case of a repeat offence within a period of 10 years, the penalties under the Highway Safety Code and the Criminal Code may include:

• Upon arrest
  • Immediate licence suspension: 90 days
  • Immediate vehicle seizure and impoundment: 90 days
  • Participation in the Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving⁠ ⁠ (PERRCCA) (website in French only)
• Following the criminal conviction
  • Participation in the Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving⁠ ⁠ (PERRCCA) (website in French only)
  • Prohibition from driving for a minimum two-year period
  • Licence revocation: three or five years or longer (depending on the decision of the court)
  • Imprisonment
  • Prohibition from registering, acquiring, renting or leasing a vehicle, or putting a vehicle into operation under your name 
  • Alcohol ignition interlock device for life (possibility of applying for its removal after 10 years only in the case of a first repeat offence)

In the case of a second or subsequent repeat offence within a period of 10 years, the penalties under the Highway Safety Code and the Criminal Code include:

• Upon arrest
  • Immediate licence suspension: 90 days
  • Immediate vehicle seizure and impoundment: 90 days
• Following a criminal conviction
  • Prohibition from driving for a minimum two-year period
  • Licence revocation: three or five years or longer (depending on the decision of the court)
  • Imprisonment
  • Prohibition from registering, acquiring, renting or leasing a vehicle, or putting a vehicle into operation under your name
  • Alcohol ignition interlock device for life

Costs related to a first offence

• $1,750 minimum, in addition to inconveniences and variable costs, such as:
  • a criminal record
  • lawyer's fees
  • costs related to the use of an alcohol ignition interlock device (which vary depending on the duration)
  • increased personal automobile insurance premiums
  • other costs such as court fees, a contribution to the crime victim’s compensation plan (IVAC), etc.