Drinking and Driving: Impairment and Consequences
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, medication 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 blow into an alcohol-screening device or to perform physical coordination tests
- you have traces of alcohol in your blood when you are subject to the zero-alcohol rule
Consequences of drinking and driving
There are many legal, financial and administrative consequences to drinking and driving. They vary based on blood alcohol concentration and the number and nature of the offences.
- For a summary of the legal consequences, visit the Penalties and Costs for Impaired Driving web page.
- For detailed information based on your situation, visit the Reacquiring or Reinstating a Driver’s Licence or Licence Class web page.
- To get an idea of the costs of impaired driving and the towing and impoundment fees further to a vehicle seizure, visit the Fines and Penalties web page.
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
If you are under 22 years of age, if you hold a learner's licence or a probationary licence or if you have never held a licence
- Immediate licence suspension for 90 days
- Four demerit points
- Fine of $300 to $600
If you are a driver of a taxi, vehicle comparable to a taxi, limousine, bus or minibus
- Immediate suspension of the corresponding licence 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 they intended to do so.
Refusal to obey a peace officer
Refusing to breathe into an alcohol-screening device or to undergo 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 alcohol, so plan accordingly! To get around, you can:
- ride in a taxi, use a rideshare service or take public transit
- have a designated driver for the evening
- sleep over
- call a drive-home service, such as Operation Red Nose or Tolérance Zéro .
Myths and facts
Do you think you know a fool-proof trick for rapidly lowering your blood alcohol concentration? Read about drinking and driving myths and facts.
Last update: March 25, 2026