Penalties for Impaired Driving

First offence

Penalties (depending on the situation)

	Highway Safety Code	Criminal Code
Upon arrest	Immediate licence suspension: 24 hours or 90 days Immediate vehicle seizure and impoundment: 30 days
Upon conviction	Revocation of your driver’s licence or suspension of your right to obtain one for one or three years Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving⁠⁠ ⁠ (PERRCCA)(website in French only) Alcofrein program Mandatory alcohol ignition interlock device (variable duration)	Criminal record Licence revocation Mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 Prohibition from driving for a minimum one-year period (may be imposed later)

In the case of a second offence within a period of 10 years

The penalties under the Highway Safety Code and the Criminal Code include:

	Highway Safety Code	Criminal Code
Upon arrest	Immediate licence suspension: 90 days Immediate vehicle seizure and impoundment: 90 days Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving⁠⁠ ⁠ (PERRCCA) (website in French only)
Upon conviction	Revocation of your driver’s licence or suspension of your right to obtain one for three to five years Prohibition from registering, acquiring, renting or leasing a vehicle, or putting a vehicle into operation Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving⁠⁠ ⁠ (PERRCCA)(website in French only) Mandatory alcohol ignition interlock device⁠ ⁠ for two or three years or for life (with the possibility of having this condition withdrawn after 10 years)	Criminal record Mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 Prohibition from driving for a minimum one-year period (may be imposed later) Imprisonment

In the case of a third or subsequent repeat offence within a period of 10 years

The penalties under the Highway Safety Code and the Criminal Code include:

	Highway Safety Code	Criminal Code
Upon arrest	Immediate licence suspension: 90 days Immediate vehicle seizure and impoundment: 90 days
Upon conviction	Revocation of your driver’s licence or suspension of your right to obtain one for three to five years Prohibition from registering, acquiring, renting or leasing a vehicle, or putting a vehicle into operation Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving⁠⁠ ⁠ (PERRCCA) (website in French only) Alcohol ignition interlock device for life	Criminal record Mandatory minimum fine of $1,000 Prohibition from driving (may be imposed later) Imprisonment

Costs related to a first offence

• $5,000 minimum, in addition to unquantifiable 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, crime victim’s compensation plan contributions (IVAC), etc.