Alcohol impairs your ability to drive as of the first drink. If you drink and drive, you are putting your life and the lives of others at risk, and you are also exposing yourself to serious legal consequences.
The effects of alcohol on driving
Increased risk-taking
False sense of security and control
Difficulty maintaining a constant speed
Difficulty concentrating
Slower reaction times
Sudden movements
Poor coordination
Drowsiness
You can be arrested if:
your blood alcohol concentration is equal to or over 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood (0.08)
your ability to drive is impaired by drugs or alcohol, even if your blood alcohol concentration is below 0.08
you refuse to obey the orders of a peace officer, such as the order to breathe into an alcohol-screening device or to perform physical coordination tests
Legal consequences of drinking and driving
Below are some of the possible legal consequences of drinking and driving. This is only an overview and penalties may vary based on the number of offences and the blood alcohol concentration, among other things.
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 (depending on the situation)
Following a criminal conviction
Prohibition from driving for a minimum one-year period
Licence revocation: 1 or 3 years (depending on the situation) or longer (depending on the decision of the court)
Prohibition from driving for a minimum two-year period
Licence revocation: 3 or 5 years (depending on the situation) 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 (depending on the situation)
Alcohol ignition interlock device for life (possibility of applying for its removal after 10 years only in the case of a first repeat offence)(depending on the situation)
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: 3 or 5 years (depending on the situation) 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 non-quantifiable inconveniences and variable costs, such as:
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.
See the What the Law Says section for a detailed description of costs and penalties.
Traffic offences you commit outside Québec follow you... back to Québec
Québec has entered into reciprocal agreements with Ontario, Maine and the State of New York.
Any offences leading to demerit points that you commit in those jurisdictions are entered on your driving record at the SAAQ, exactly as if those offences had been committed in Québec.
Penalties for not obeying the zero alcohol rule that applies if you are...
Under 22 years of age or if you hold a learner's licence or a probationary licence
Drivers of a Taxi, Vehicle Comparable to a Taxi, Limousine, Bus or Minibus
Immediate suspension of the corresponding class for 24 hours
Care or control of a vehicle
The law not only prohibits impaired driving, but also having the care or control of a vehicle while impaired. Here are some situations that can have the same consequences as impaired driving:
sitting in the driver’s seat, even if the vehicle is stopped or broken down
being in the vehicle (even asleep on the back seat) and having the possibility of starting the engine
being near the vehicle, for example to brush snow off the car or put things in the trunk
The police officer will assess whether it was possible for the person to drive the vehicle and whether he or she intended to drive.
Refusal to obey a peace officer
Refusing to breathe into an alcohol-screening device or to perform physical coordination tests automatically results in the stiffer penalties provided for under the Criminal Code and the Highway Safety Code.
Simple and effective alternative solutions
Only time can eliminate the effects of drugs and medication, so plan accordingly! To get around, you can:
ride in a taxi, use a rideshare service or take public transit
