Licence Suspensions: Administrative, Criminal & Medical Reasons

Types of Licence Suspensions:

To promote safe driving, Ontario has strict driving laws with lengthy suspensions for various offences including impaired driving, careless driving, stunt driving, and fleeing police. Court sanctions can include fines in tens of thousands of dollars, reinstatement fees, licence restrictions, lifetime bans and jail time.

Escalating Sanctions for Novice Drivers:

Escalating sanctions apply within a five-year period for:

• Any repeat violations of novice restrictions

• Any HTA convictions for four or more demerit points

• Court-ordered licence suspensions

Dangerous Behaviours Sanctions:

The risk of fatality or serious injury is almost five times greater for vehicles crashing at 50 km/h or more above posted highway limits. For roads with posted limits of 60 km/h or less, the risk is almost eight times greater.

Aggressive driving includes:

• Driving 40 km/h or more above posted speed limit on roads with speed limit less than 80km/h

• Driving 50 km/h or more above posted speed limit

• Driving to prevent another vehicle from passing

• Intentionally cutting off another vehicle

• Street racing

• Driving stunts

Zero Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) Requirements:

All drivers who are 21 and under, regardless of licence class, must have a BAC level of zero when operating a motor vehicle. Violation results in 24-hour roadside driver-licence suspension. If convicted, you face a fine and at least a 30-day licence suspension.

Medical Suspensions:

All doctors must report names and addresses of everyone 16 years or older who has a condition that may affect their ability to drive safely (stroke, heart condition, dizziness, etc.). Your driver's licence may be suspended until new medical evidence shows the condition does not pose a safety risk.

Mandatory HTA Suspensions:

Your licence will be suspended:

• If you fail to stop for a police officer (minimum five years)

• If you don't pay a traffic fine when ordered by the court

Administrative Driver's Licence Suspension (ADLS):

Your licence will be suspended immediately for 90 days if:

• Your BAC is more than 80 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood (.08)

• You fail or refuse to give breath, blood, oral fluid or urine sample when asked

• You fail or refuse to perform physical co-ordination tests or submit to drug evaluation

Warn-Range Suspensions:

Drivers with BAC in warn range (.05 to .08) receive immediate roadside suspension:

• Three days for first occurrence

• Seven days for second occurrence, plus remedial alcohol-education program

• Substantially increased penalties for subsequent occurrences

Criminal Code Suspensions:

You will receive a one-year licence suspension the first time you are convicted of a Criminal Code offence. Subsequent offences increase substantially to a lifetime ban. Convictions remain on your driver's record for minimum 10 years.

Suspension offences include:

• Driving with BAC more than .08

• Refusing to submit to breath test

• Failing to remain at scene of collision

• Dangerous driving

• Causing death or bodily harm by criminal negligence

• Failing to stop for police

Vehicle-Impoundment Program:

Seven-day vehicle impoundments for:

• Drivers operating while under HTA licence suspension

• Drivers caught without required ignition interlock

• All drivers caught with BAC over .08, or who fail/refuse to comply with Criminal Code demands

If caught driving while licence suspended for Criminal Code offence, vehicle impounded for minimum 45 days. Vehicle owners must pay towing and storage costs before release.