Other ways to lose your licence
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Suspensions – Overview
Your driver’s licence may be suspended for numerous reasons (e.g., failing to pay a traffic fine, escalating sanctions, medical reasons, and more).
Suspended drivers are prohibited from operating any motor vehicle under any circumstance until the suspension is lifted.
Convictions for driving under suspension can lead to hefty fines and possible jail time.
Escalating Sanctions
These sanctions typically apply to novice drivers (G1, G2, M1, M2) who repeatedly violate licence conditions or commit offences resulting in four or more demerit points.
Within a five-year period, repeat violations or court-ordered licence suspensions can lead to longer suspensions or more severe consequences.
Sanctions – Dangerous Behaviours
Driving 40 km/h or more above the speed limit on roads with posted limits under 80 km/h, or 50 km/h or more above the limit on other roads, is considered stunt driving/racing.
Other aggressive driving actions: preventing another vehicle from passing, intentionally cutting off another vehicle, or street racing.
Penalties can include immediate vehicle impoundment, fines in the tens of thousands, and driver’s licence suspensions.
Sanctions – Careless Driving
Defined as driving without due care or attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users.
Conviction of careless driving may result in fines, demerit points, and potentially licence suspension or jail time.
Zero Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) for Novice and Young Drivers
All drivers 21 and under must maintain a BAC of zero when operating a motor vehicle.
Violations can result in a 24-hour roadside suspension and, upon conviction, fines and at least a 30-day licence suspension.
Medical Suspension
Doctors must report drivers 16 years or older who have a condition affecting their ability to drive safely (e.g., stroke, severe dizziness).
The Ministry of Transportation may suspend the licence until medical evidence shows it’s safe for the driver to resume driving.
Mandatory HTA Suspensions
Failing to stop for a police officer can result in at least a five-year licence suspension.
Not paying a traffic fine when ordered by the court can also result in suspension.
Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspension (ADLS)
Immediate 90-day suspension if BAC is over .08.
Immediate 90-day suspension if a driver fails or refuses to provide breath, blood, oral fluid, or urine samples.
Separate from any criminal charges or prosecution that may occur.
"Warn-Range" Suspension
Applies to drivers with a BAC from 0.05 to 0.08.
First occurrence: 3-day immediate roadside suspension.
Second occurrence: 7-day suspension plus a mandatory remedial alcohol-education program.
Third or subsequent occurrences: 30-day suspension, mandatory treatment program, ignition interlock, and additional penalties.
Novice-Driver Violations
G1 and G2 drivers must follow specific restrictions (e.g., zero BAC, passenger limits).
Violating any graduated licensing condition can result in a 30-day suspension and potential further penalties.
Repeated or unaddressed violations may lead to a cancellation of the licence for up to two years.
Licence Cancellation Scenarios
Failing a driver’s re-examination, not paying reinstatement fees, or providing a dishonoured cheque for licence fees can result in cancellation.
Voluntarily surrendering the licence to the Ministry can also cancel the licence.
Criminal Code Suspensions
Offences include driving with BAC over .08, refusing breath tests, dangerous driving, failing to remain at a collision scene, and more.
A first conviction leads to a one-year licence suspension; subsequent convictions can lead to a lifetime driving ban.
Convictions remain on your driving record for at least 10 years.
Remedial Measures
Drivers convicted of impaired-related Criminal Code offences must complete the Back on Track program (alcohol education and/or treatment).
Multiple “warn-range” occurrences also require remedial programs.
Failure to complete these requirements prolongs the licence suspension.
Driving Under Suspension
Absolutely no driving is allowed if your licence is suspended.
Penalties can include significant fines, possible jail time up to six months, and an additional six-month licence suspension if caught driving while under suspension.
Driving While Prohibited
A prohibition order under the Criminal Code can be issued for serious offences.
Violating such an order results in an additional suspension: one year for a first offence and two years for subsequent offences.
Vehicle-Impoundment Program
Seven-day vehicle impoundment applies to drivers operating under a Highway Traffic Act suspension, driving without a required ignition interlock, or caught with a BAC over .08.
If driving while suspended for a Criminal Code offence, the vehicle will be impounded for at least 45 days.
Vehicle owners are responsible for towing and storage fees, even if the offender borrowed or rented the vehicle.
Impaired Driving
It is a criminal offence to operate or have care/control of a vehicle (including boats) when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Police can demand breath samples, drug-recognition evaluations, and physical coordination tests when impairment is suspected.
Refusing these demands results in Criminal Code charges and immediate licence suspension.
Alcohol
Police can stop any driver to conduct alcohol testing or request a breath sample.
Drivers may be asked to provide a blood sample if breath testing is not feasible.
Failure or refusal to comply leads to serious legal consequences and licence suspensions.
Drugs
HTA and Criminal Code sanctions also apply to drivers impaired by drugs.
Some prescription or over-the-counter medications can cause impairment—always check for side effects that could affect driving.
Combining even small amounts of alcohol with drugs can significantly increase impairment risk.
Consider the Consequences of Impaired Driving
Ontario imposes strict sanctions such as high fines, vehicle impoundment, mandatory education/treatment, and ignition interlock programs.
Impaired driving causing bodily harm can lead to prison time up to 14 years; causing death can result in a possible life sentence.
Insurance may not cover damages if a driver is impaired, and future premiums can skyrocket.
Driver-Improvement Interview
Applies to drivers convicted of certain non-alcohol-related Criminal Code offences with no previous alcohol-related convictions.
If the interview is not completed before the suspension ends, the licence remains suspended until the requirement is fulfilled.
These measures also apply if convicted out of province for an equivalent offence.
Summary
Maintain a valid driver’s licence with correct information and be aware of the demerit-point system.
Understand major offences that result in demerit points, possible suspension, or cancellation.
Zero BAC conditions for novice drivers and 21-and-under drivers are strictly enforced.
Criminal Code convictions (impaired driving, failing to remain at the scene, etc.) carry severe penalties, including mandatory remedial programs and possible lifetime suspensions.
Driving under suspension or while prohibited can lead to vehicle impoundment, severe fines, jail time, and extended suspensions.