Drink-driving limits in Ontario (2026)
Last reviewed: 29 October 2026
In short: Ontario suspends the licence of any driver with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 to 0.079 (warn range) and imposes a 90-day suspension at 0.08 or more. Drivers aged 21 or under, novice licence holders and commercial drivers must have no alcohol.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Blood alcohol limit for ordinary driversDriving after drinking alcohol | 0.05 % blood alcohol [1] |
| Lower limit for novice or young driversDriving after drinking alcohol | Drivers aged 21 or under, and holders of G1, G2, M1 or M2 licences, must have no alcohol or drugs in their system. First occurrence: 7-day immediate suspension, 8-hour course and $250 penalty (14 days and $350 for a second, 30 days and $450 for a third), in addition to a fine of $60 to $1,000 on conviction. [1] |
| Limit for professional or commercial driversDriving after drinking alcohol | Commercial vehicle drivers must have no alcohol or drugs in their system: 3-day immediate suspension for a first, second or third occurrence, with an 8-hour course and $250 penalty (first), 16-hour treatment programme and $350 (second), and six-month ignition interlock and $450 (third). [1] |
| Maximum penaltiesDriving after drinking alcohol | BAC of 0.08 or more, or failing or refusing testing: immediate 90-day suspension, 7-day vehicle impoundment, 8-hour education course and $550 penalty (first); 16-hour treatment programme for a second; six-month ignition interlock for a third. Warn range: 7-day suspension and $250 (first), 14 days and $350 (second), 30 days and $450 (third). [1] |
Notes
- Criminal Code limit (0.08%) applies nationally. This figure is the level at which provincial administrative sanctions begin; it is not a Criminal Code offence threshold.
Sources
- Government of Ontario: Impaired driving (consulted 29 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in Canada and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for Canada
| Blood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers | 0.08 % blood alcohol (source: Department of Justice Canada) |
|---|---|
| Random breath tests without suspicion | Yes (source: Department of Justice Canada) |
| Maximum penalties | Impaired driving or driving with 80 mg or more per 100 ml of blood: on indictment, up to 10 years in prison; on summary conviction, a fine of up to $5,000, up to 2 years less a day in prison, or both. Minimum penalties for a first offence: a $1,000 fine ($1,500 at 120 to under 160 mg, $2,000 at 160 mg or more); 30 days in prison for a second offence; 120 days for each later offence. (source: Department of Justice Canada) |
More rules in Ontario
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal within limits (19+) · Growing at home: Yes, up to 4 plants per home
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 80 km/h
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceEarliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervising driver
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Power-assisted bicycle · Minimum age: 16 years
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $17.95 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free, touch limited
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 19 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 19
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.