January 28, 2025
4 min
Written by: Arian Borys An impaired driving conviction in Ontario can result in licence suspensions, fines, mandatory programs, ignition interlock requirements and significant changes to your car insurance. This guide explains the potential penalties following an impaired driving offence and how a DUI conviction can affect your insurance.
Penalties for Novice Drivers with Any Alcohol in Their System
The following include administrative roadside penalties and, in some cases, additional fines if a conviction occurs.
In Ontario, novice drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2, M2-L, or M2-M licence holders) are subject to strict zero-tolerance rules. This means that any detectable alcohol in your system—even below 0.05 BAC—can result in immediate penalties. The penalties below apply when any alcohol is present.
| Offence | Penalty |
| First Time | 7-day immediate roadside licence suspension, $250 penalty, and mandatory 8-hour education course. Additional fines between $60–$1,000 may apply if convicted. |
| Second Time | 14-day immediate roadside licence suspension, $350 penalty, and mandatory 16-hour treatment program. Additional fines between $60–$1,000 may apply if convicted. |
| Third Time | 30-day immediate roadside licence suspension, $450 penalty, mandatory 16-hour treatment program, and ignition interlock condition for 6 months. Additional fines between $60–$1,000 may apply if convicted. |
Penalties for All Drivers with Warn-Range BAC (0.05 to 0.079)
The following are administrative roadside penalties that apply to fully licensed drivers with a blood alcohol concentration in the warn range (0.05 to 0.079). These penalties do not result in a criminal conviction, but they can still impact your driving record and insurance.
| Offence | Penalty |
| First Time | 7-day immediate licence suspension, $250 penalty, and mandatory 8-hour education course |
| Second Time | 14-day immediate licence suspension, $350 penalty, and mandatory 16-hour treatment program |
| Third Time | 30-day immediate licence suspension, $450 penalty, mandatory 16-hour treatment program, and ignition interlock condition for 6 months |
Consequences of a DUI Conviction (BAC 0.08 or Higher) in Ontario
If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is 0.08 or higher, if you refuse to comply with a demand for alcohol or drug testing, or if you are found to be impaired by drugs, the consequences are applied in two stages.
These penalties are cumulative, meaning you may first face immediate roadside penalties and later additional consequences if convicted in court.
Part 1 involves immediate roadside penalties, which take effect right away and are administrative in nature.
Part 2 applies if you are later convicted in court, and includes more severe, long-term penalties.
PART 1 — Immediate Roadside Penalties
Immediate Roadside Penalties for Impaired Driving (BAC 0.08+, Refusal, or Drug Impairment)
| Offence | Penalty |
| First Time | Immediate 90-day licence suspension, 7-day vehicle impoundment, mandatory 8-hour education course, and $550 penalty |
| Second Time | Immediate 90-day licence suspension, 7-day vehicle impoundment, mandatory 16-hour treatment program, and $550 penalty |
| Third Time | Immediate 90-day licence suspension, 7-day vehicle impoundment, mandatory 16-hour treatment program, ignition interlock condition for 6 months, and $550 penalty |
PART 2 — Criminal Conviction Penalties
No matter what age or licence you have, if you are convicted criminally of impaired driving in court, you can face additional fines and jail time plus:
| Offence | Penalty |
| First Time | Licence suspension of at least 1 year, mandatory education or treatment program, and ignition interlock device required for at least 1 year |
| Second Time (Within 10 years) | Licence suspension of at least 3 years, mandatory education or treatment program, ignition interlock device required for at least 3 years, and mandatory medical evaluation |
| Third Time (Within 10 years) | Lifetime licence suspension (may be reduced after 10 years if eligible), mandatory education or treatment program, ignition interlock device required for at least 6 years, and mandatory medical evaluation |
How a DUI Conviction Affects Car Insurance in Ontario
A DUI conviction can significantly affect both the price and availability of car insurance. Some standard insurers may no longer offer coverage, which can require a driver to obtain insurance through a high-risk market.
The impact varies by insurer and individual driving history. A DUI conviction can continue to affect insurance eligibility and premiums for several years.
Sample Insurance Costs with a DUI Conviction (2024 Data)
Here’s how a DUI conviction impacts insurance rates across different cities in Ontario.
| City | Car Insurance Before DUI | Car Insurance After DUI | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barrie | $1,963/year ($163.58/month) | $5,656/year ($471.33/month) | 188% |
| London, Ontario | $1,809/year ($150.75/month) | $5,752/year ($479.33/month) | 218% |
| Hamilton | $1,958/year ($163.17/month) | $6,494/year ($541.17/month) | 232% |
| Toronto | $2,126/year ($177.17/month) | $8,852/year ($737.67/month) | 316% |
Note: The driver profile in the sample above is a 34-year-old male driving a 2024 VW Tiguan for 10 km to work daily, with an annual mileage of 15,000 km and continuous insurance coverage for 10 years prior to the DUI. Individual results may vary based on many factors. These are sample estimates for illustrative purposes only.
Need Car Insurance After a DUI Conviction?
If you need car insurance following an impaired driving conviction, visit our DUI Insurance Ontario page to learn about available insurance options and request a quote.
This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2026.