Ontario Impaired Driving Laws: BAC Limits, Penalties & Consequences

Legal Limits (Criminal Code of Canada)

Category	BAC Limit	Consequence
Criminal "Over 80"	≥80 mg/100 mL (0.08%)	Criminal charge, mandatory minimums
Warn Range (Provincial)	0.05–0.079%	Immediate license suspension, vehicle impound, monetary penalty
Zero Tolerance	0.00%	Novice (G1/G2/M1/M2), <22 yr, commercial drivers

Criminal Penalties (First Offense, No Bodily Harm)

• Fine: Minimum $1,000 (max $5,000 summary; no max indictable).
• Driving prohibition: 1–3 years (federal) + provincial suspension.
• Ignition interlock: Mandatory for early reinstatement (provincial).
• Jail: Up to 10 years (indictable); rarely for first offense unless aggravating factors.
• Criminal record: Permanent; affects travel, employment, immigration.

Provincial Administrative Sanctions (Ontario)

• Warn Range (0.05–0.079):
  • 1st: 3-day license suspension, $250 penalty, 3-day vehicle impound.
  • 2nd (5 yr): 7-day suspension, $350, 7-day impound, education program.
  • 3rd+: 30-day suspension, $450, 30-day impound, treatment program, ignition interlock 6 mo.
• Fail/Refuse (Criminal charge): 90-day administrative suspension (ADLS), 7-day impound, $550 reinstatement fee, mandatory Back on Track program ($634), ignition interlock ≥1 year.

Aggravating Factors (↑ Penalties)

• BAC ≥160 mg/100 mL (2× limit)
• Bodily harm / death
• Passenger <16 years
• Prior convictions (10-year lookback)
• Racing, evading police

Insurance Impact

• Conviction → "high-risk" driver; premiums ×3–5 for 6+ years.
• Facility Association (residual market) if standard insurers decline.

Key takeaway: 0.08% is the criminal line, but 0.05% triggers provincial sanctions. Zero tolerance for novice/young/commercial drivers. Plan ahead: designate driver, rideshare, transit.