Immediate Consequences under The Highway Traffic Act:
When stopped by the police, your driver’s licence can be suspended immediately for 24-hours if:
You fail or refuse a standardized field sobriety test (SFST). Trained officers have the authority to administer a series of field sobriety tests to assess whether a driver is impaired by alcohol or drugs.
You fail an approved roadside breath screening device.
You have a blood alcohol concentration of .05 or more.
When your licence is suspended for 24-hours:
You are disqualified from driving any type of vehicle on or off the road for the same time period.
You are subject to a $50 reinstatement fee.
If you receive two or more 24-hour suspensions in a three year period, you will be required to attend a mandatory impaired driver’s assessment at your own expense.
Along with the immediate 24-hour suspension:
If your blood alcohol concentration is .08 or more:
You will immediately receive a three-month administrative driver’s licence suspension, including disqualification from driving any vehicle including all-terrain or off-road vehicles.
Your vehicle will be impounded for at least 30 days. You may be subject to longer vehicle impoundment for higher blood alcohol levels and subsequent offences.
If you refuse to provide a breath or blood sample or refuse to comply with an SFST demand:
You will immediately receive a three-month administrative driver’s licence suspension, including disqualification from driving any vehicle including all-terrain or off-road vehicles.
Your vehicle will be impounded for at least 60 days.
If you fail a SFST:
You will immediately have your licence suspended for 24 hours.
You can also be asked to take a breathalyzer test, which could lead to an additional three-month licence suspension and vehicle impoundment if you refuse or fail the test.
