Impaired Driving Penalties

Where a driver has been arrested for impaired driving the driver receives the immediate penalties of:

• 7 day vehicle seizure: The vehicle is seized and towed away by police. The owner is responsible for all costs for towing and storage for 7 days.
• 90 day licence suspension: Drivers are prohibited from driving any type of motor vehicle on roads within Ontario for 90 days.  After the 90 days have past the driver may apply to have the licence reinstated.
• No collision coverage in accidents: Where an accident has occurred and the driver has been arrested for drinking and driving the insurance will not pay collision insurance.

The insurance will quote that the driver violated the policy, which states they will not commit criminal acts while in control of the vehicle.

Further penalties include the cost of towing, storage of the vehicle for 7 days, and a license reinstatement fee.

Drivers convicted of impaired driving can expect a significant spike in their insurance premiums, as impaired driving penalties often result in hefty financial consequences.

If you’re involved in an accident while impaired, your insurance provider may refuse to cover the damages, citing your violation of their terms by driving under the influence. This refusal to provide coverage falls within the realm of impaired driving penalties, which extend beyond legal repercussions to affect various aspects of one’s life, including insurance rates.

Your insurance company might inform you that they won’t cover any claims if illegal activity, such as impaired driving, is involved. This denial of coverage underscores the broader implications of impaired driving penalties on insurance policies.

In response to such violations, some insurers may opt to cancel your policy or designate you as a high-risk driver, resulting in substantially higher insurance rates, sometimes exceeding $10,000 annually for 5 to 10 years. These elevated rates represent another facet of impaired driving penalties, emphasizing the enduring financial impact that accompanies such convictions.

This could mean paying over $50,000 in insurance premiums over a five-year period. The substantial impact on insurance costs alone serves as a strong incentive to contest the charges, highlighting the necessity of understanding and mitigating the consequences of impaired driving penalties.

Once arrested, impaired driving has mandatory drivers licence suspensions including;

• ninety (90) day licence suspension
• seven (7) day seizure of vehicle
• one year licence prohibition upon conviction
• cannot drive anything that is:
  • pushed, pulled or driven,
  • including boats and
  • machinery and
  • construction equipment

Once arrested the driver cannot operate anything that is pushed, pulled or driven by any type of engine, anywhere in Canada.

This includes using construction machinery or farm equipment.

My DUI charge was dropped to a Careless Driving ticket. It was my first experience being involved with the law, Vadim was very informative and helpful throughout the entire process. I am extremely satisfied with the outcome, I highly recommend Charitsis Law. Professional and caring service!

After hearing what happened, the next question usually is, ‘what’s my chances of winning?’

As seasoned DUI Lawyers, we understand the concern. When it comes to fighting drinking and driving charges, it’s natural to wonder about your chance of winning and having the charges dropped.

The truth is, these cases present significant challenges for the police, with numerous legal intricacies and potential issues to consider. A judge must find you guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt“, without legal errors, mistakes or violations of your rights under Canadian law.  Simple mistakes can cause a case to collapse, and sometimes people are just not guilty of what the police are alleging.

If you don’t fight, the consequences are certain. You’ll loss your driver’s license and receive a criminal record for life. That’s why taking action and seeking legal defense is crucial—it’s your best chance to avoid these severe penalties and protect your future.”

Charitsis Law stands out, not just for our stellar reviews across many platforms but more crucially, for our consistent 20 year plus track record of legal wins throughout the Toronto and GTA courts.  Read more about impaired driving defences >>>

Call us today, speak to one of our DUI lawyers to learn how we’re going to win your case. Call 416-731-7113.

Mandatory additional DUI and impaired driving include:

“Back on Track” Course: This educational course is designed to raise awareness and impart crucial knowledge about safe and responsible driving.

Alcoholism Testing: Individuals will be subjected to tests that assess potential alcohol dependence. This is a measure to ensure that individuals understand the risks associated with alcohol consumption and driving.

Installation of an ignition interlock device: This device will be installed in your vehicle and will require the driver to provide a breath sample before the vehicle can be started. It is a preventative measure to ensure that the driver is not under the influence of alcohol while operating the vehicle.

Where your licence has been suspended, there is a reinstatement fee of $281.

It’s essential to note that criminal licence suspensions are reflected on the Abstract/Record for a duration of 5 years or more. This means that any criminal driving charges can impact your driving record and associated privileges for an extended period.

Upon conviction, the Ministry of Transportation imposes additional hurdles for those convicted impaired driving offences.

In order to regain your driving privileges, several steps must be undertaken:

Reinstatement Fee: A specific fee must be settled to initiate the process of reinstating your licence.

Alcoholism Testing: Before you can drive again, you will be subjected to tests to determine potential alcohol dependence, ensuring that you recognize the dangers associated with intoxicated driving.

Completion of the “Back on Track Program”: The Back on Track program is designed to educate and rehabilitate those convicted of impaired driving. Completion is mandatory to ensure the individual’s understanding and commitment to safer driving practices in the future.

Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device: The ignition interlock device device must be fixed in your vehicle. It prevents the car from starting until a satisfactory breath sample, indicating no alcohol consumption, is provided.

Monthly Inspections: The installed ignition interlock device requires regular monthly checks to ensure its proper functioning and adherence to regulations.

For a more comprehensive understanding of driver licence suspensions >

When faced with a DUI charge, many individuals quickly recognize the severe financial implications of simply pleading guilty. The repercussions of a DUI conviction are not only immediate but can also resonate for years, impacting one’s employment and freedom to travel.

Here’s a breakdown of potential costs associated with a DUI conviction:

Ignition Interlock Device: This mandatory device requires a breath sample before the car can be started and costs approximately $1,500.

Monthly Testing: At a rate of $130 per month, over a year, this accumulates to $1,560.

Back on Track Program: This educational initiative to rehabilitate and inform those convicted of DUI comes with a fee of $634.

Collisions & Accidents: Where the driver has been arrested for impaired driving or any DUI charge, the insurance will refuse to repair the vehicle

Licence Suspension Reinstatement: Reinstating a suspended license costs $281, and given it might happen twice in the process, the total becomes $562.

High-Risk Insurance Rates: Once convicted, your insurance premium can skyrocket. With an estimated increase of $10,000 annually, over five years, this can sum up to a whopping $50,000.

In total, the direct financial costs can rise to $54,256.

It’s crucial to not underscore the magnitude of this: a guilty plea to a DUI charge can lead to costs surpassing fifty thousand dollars. This doesn’t even factor in potential job losses, vehicle damages or the lifelong challenges posed by a criminal record

Where convicted of a second impaired charge the accused is subject to the following increased penalties:

• thirty day jail sentence
• 3 year license suspension
• fine to be determined by the judge
• judge may impose a period of probation

• mandatory three (3) month jail sentence.
• lifetime license suspension.
• fine to be determined by the judge.
• judge may impose a period of probation

A DUI’s and any drinking and driving conviction permanently marks an individual with a criminal record.

When seeking employment, potential employers might request a criminal record check before making a hiring decision. This record can affect your employability.

Possessing a criminal record can lead to denial of entry and being stopped at the border into countries like the United States. Additionally, it might render you as un-bondable, limiting opportunities in specific job sectors.

Upon arrest, law enforcement will photograph and fingerprint you. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police maintains these records at the Canadian Police Information Centre, making them accessible to all police agencies for review. More on effects of a criminal record >

Want legal advice or like to speak to a lawyer? The first step is to give us a call at 416-731-7113.

There is no fee or obligation to call and speak to us.  The discussion is held with complete privacy and confidence with the lawyer.

The lawyer will be able to give you an opinion about your case, and tell you:

• possible defences to the charge
• legal arguments in your case
• what you can do to help your case
• what the cost to defend the accusation would be

Where you decide to retain our services we will invite you to meet in our Toronto office or have a face to face Zoom online meeting.

In that meeting we’ll discuss the case in detail, plan your defence and arrange for the first court date.

We ask for a reasonable deposit upon retaining our services of 10 to 25 percent.