If you’re trying to figure out where the line is before you drive after a drink, or you’ve just been stopped and want to know what kind of penalty you’re facing, our article lays out Ontario’s limits and penalties in plain terms. We reviewed the province’s impaired-driving rules to compile this guide.
Read on to learn about the criminal limit, the warn range, zero-tolerance rules and what can happen after a conviction.
What Is the Legal Blood Alcohol Limit in Ontario?
Under the Criminal Code, a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more, or 80 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood, within two hours of driving can lead to criminal charges. A driver can also face charges at a lower BAC if their ability to drive is impaired.
A BAC in the 0.05–0.079 warn range triggers immediate administrative penalties in Ontario, including a seven-day licence suspension and a $250 penalty for a first occurrence.
Does an Impaired-Driving Violation Affect My Insurance?
Yes. An impaired-driving conviction or licence suspension can affect your current policy and your ability to get auto insurance in the future. Your insurer may raise your premium or decide not to renew your policy, depending on its underwriting rules.
When you apply for coverage with an impaired-driving conviction on your record, insurers may classify you as a high-risk driver.
Read More: Navigating Car Insurance After a DUI Conviction in Canada
What Is the Ontario BAC Limit for Young and New Drivers?
The BAC limit for young and new drivers in Ontario is zero. Ontario has a zero-tolerance policy for drivers aged 21 or under, as well as drivers of any age who hold a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence.
In short, young and novice drivers cannot drive with alcohol in their systems.
What Is the Ontario BAC Limit for Commercial Drivers?
Commercial drivers must also have a BAC of zero while driving a commercial vehicle. This applies when driving a vehicle that requires an A, B, C, D, E or F licence, a Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration or a road-building machine.
Commercial drivers can face a three-day immediate roadside suspension, an administrative penalty, mandatory education or treatment and a licence reinstatement fee. The consequences increase with repeated occurrences.
What Is the Definition of Impaired Driving in Ontario?
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, impaired driving means operating a vehicle when alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two has compromised your ability to drive.
Impaired-driving laws apply not only to cars and trucks, but also to vehicles such as boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.
What Are the Immediate Penalties for Impaired Driving in Ontario?
The following table shows Ontario’s immediate roadside and administrative penalties. Criminal charges and court convictions can bring additional consequences.
| Occurrence | First occurrence | Second occurrence | Third occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warn range: BAC 0.05–0.079 or failed sobriety test | Seven-day immediate licence suspension; $250 penalty; eight-hour education course | 14-day immediate licence suspension; $350 penalty; 16-hour treatment program | 30-day immediate licence suspension; $450 penalty; 16-hour treatment program; six-month ignition interlock condition |
| BAC of 0.08 or more, or refusing an alcohol or drug test | Immediate 90-day licence suspension; seven-day vehicle impoundment; $550 penalty; eight-hour education course | Immediate 90-day licence suspension; seven-day vehicle impoundment; $550 penalty; 16-hour treatment program | Immediate 90-day licence suspension; seven-day vehicle impoundment; $550 penalty; 16-hour treatment program; six-month ignition interlock condition |
| Drivers aged 21 or under, or with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence | Seven-day immediate suspension; $60–$1,000 fine if convicted; $250 penalty; eight-hour education course | 14-day immediate suspension; $60–$1,000 fine if convicted; $350 penalty; 16-hour treatment program | 30-day immediate suspension; $60–$1,000 fine if convicted; $450 penalty; 16-hour treatment program; six-month ignition interlock condition |
| Commercial vehicle drivers | Three-day immediate suspension; $250 penalty; eight-hour education course | Three-day immediate suspension; $350 penalty; 16-hour treatment program | Three-day immediate suspension; $450 penalty; 16-hour treatment program; six-month ignition interlock condition |
Drivers must also pay a licence reinstatement fee whenever their licence is suspended.
What Happens After a Criminal Conviction?
Ontario changed some of its impaired-driving consequences on July 1, 2026.
A first criminal conviction can result in a licence suspension of at least one year, mandatory education or treatment and an ignition interlock device for at least one year.
A second conviction within 10 years can result in a licence suspension of at least three years and an ignition interlock device for at least three years.
A third conviction within 10 years can result in a lifetime suspension, although it may be reduced after 10 years if the driver meets certain conditions. A fourth conviction within 10 years results in a lifetime suspension with no possibility of reduction.
After the ignition interlock condition is removed, the driver will also be subject to a zero-alcohol-and-drug condition for at least six months.
Criminal fines and imprisonment may also apply.
How Many Beers Can You Drink and Drive in Ontario?
The number of beers you can drink without exceeding a BAC threshold cannot be predicted reliably. The result depends on factors such as body composition, food, the amount consumed and how quickly you drink.
The same number of drinks can produce different BAC readings in different people. Because the only BAC guaranteed to keep you below every Ontario threshold is zero, the safe assumption is that if you’ve been drinking, you shouldn’t drive.