Fact Sheet: NEW Roadside Licence Suspensions
We're serious about removing dangerous drivers from our roads. Those who choose to drive after drinking endanger themselves and everyone else.
Roadside licence suspensions ensure that drinking drivers are taken off the road immediately and discourage individuals from re-offending.
As of May 1, 2009, if you’re caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) from 0.05 to 0.08 (known as the "warn range"), the police can immediately suspend your licence up to three days for a first occurrence, seven days for a second occurrence and 30 days for a third or subsequent occurrence.
Consequences for Driving with a 0.05 to 0.08 "Warn Range" Blood Alcohol Concentration
- First Time
3-day licence suspension $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty - Second Time (within 5 years)
7-day licence suspension Mandatory alcohol education program $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty - Third Time (within 5 years)
30-day licence suspension Mandatory alcohol treatment program Six-month ignition interlock licence condition $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty - Subsequent infractions (within 5 years)
30-day licence suspension Mandatory alcohol treatment program Six-month ignition interlock licence condition Mandatory medical evaluation $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty
These roadside licence suspensions cannot be appealed. Suspensions will be recorded on the driver’s record. For up to five years, these roadside suspensions will be considered when determining consequences for subsequent infractions.
What happens if my licence is suspended?
You will be given a suspension notice by a police officer, indicating that the suspension of your licence takes effect immediately. The police officer will take your licence from you and send it back to the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).
You will not be able to drive home.
If you are with a sober passenger who is licensed and fit to drive, he or she may drive the vehicle. If it is a safe location, you can choose to leave the vehicle at the roadside, or the police will have the vehicle towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.
What happens after the suspension period expires?
A reinstatement notice will be mailed to you. If you do not have other disqualifications (for example, other suspensions, expired or cancelled licence), the reinstatement notice will include a Temporary Driver’s Licence (TDL). You may then go to a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office to pay the $150 administrative monetary penalty. A new plastic licence card will then be mailed to you.
If you did not receive a reinstatement notice, you may obtain a TDL from a Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office.
To find the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office nearest you, please visit the MTO website.
If your suspension ends on a day when the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Offices are closed (for example, a statutory holiday) and you did not receive a TDL in the mail, you will need to wait until they re-open. You must have a valid driver’s licence to drive.
What does the Ignition Interlock condition mean?
If you receive a 30-day licence suspension, you will also automatically have an ignition interlock condition placed on your licence for six months. This means that you must not drive any vehicle that does not have an ignition interlock device installed. Drivers who choose not to install an ignition interlock device must not drive until the condition is removed from their licence. For more information, see the ignition interlock program on the MTO website.
How will I get my licence reinstated after the six-month ignition interlock period?
Whether you choose to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle or you choose not to drive during the ignition interlock period, the Ministry of Transportation will automatically mail you a reinstated licence that will be valid when the ignition interlock licence condition expires. For more information, see the ignition interlock program on the MTO website.