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Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving (OCCID) provides leadership and programs to eliminate impaired driving in Ontario and enables people and communities to share resources and information that will prevent injuries and save lives.
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Red Divider Line

Impaired Driving Penalties and Consequences/Costs

The $ and c of it

Have you ever questioned the true value of a cab ride or a designated driver? Here's an example of minimum costs to a first time convicted impaired driver:

Criminal Code Fine........................$600
Payable to the Government of Canada

Remedial Measures Program.....$475
Payable to Back on Track + GST

Licence Reinstatement Fee.........$150
Payable to the Ministry of Finance + GST

Increase in Insurance Costs.......$15,000*
Payable to your insurance company in $5,000 increments each of the next 3 years
*minimum increase based on a perfect 6-star driving record

Ignition Interlock...........................$1,500
+installation. Pay to interlock provider

Court Costs...................................$2,000 - $10,000
Payable to your legal counsel

TOTAL.............................................$19,675 - $27,675

Offence
Highway Traffic Act
Criminal Code
First
  • 1 year licence suspension*
  • Remedial measures requirement
  • 1 year ignition interlock condition upon reinstatement**
  • 1 year driving prohibition
  • $600 fine
Second
  • 3 year licence suspension*
  • Remedial measures requirement
  • 3 years ignition interlock condition upon reinstatement**
  • 2 year driving prohibition
  • 14 day jail sentence
Third
  • Lifetime licence suspension*
  • (Reducible to ten years if certain conditions are met)
  • Ignition interlock condition for life if suspension reduced**
  • 3 year driving prohibition
  • 90 day jail sentence
Fourth and subsequent
  • Lifetime licence suspension *
  • Same as third offence

*Drivers who are caught driving while their licence is suspended for a Criminal Code conviction will have the vehicle they are driving impounded and face fines of $5,000 to $50,000.

**As of December 23, 2001 any driver who commits and is subsequently convicted of a drinking driving offence will, upon reinstatement, have a mandatory ignition interlock condition placed on his/her driver’s licence. This means that, after reinstatement, if the individual wishes to drive it must be in a vehicle that is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device.

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