The real cost of drunk driving in Quebec
Impaired driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents in Quebec. Drinking and driving puts you and everyone else on the road at risk. It also carries serious consequences: a 90-day licence suspension, vehicle seizure, fines, higher insurance premiums, a criminal record and travel restrictions. Find out the true cost.
Drinking and driving in Quebec: what the law says
Impaired driving is an offence under both the Criminal Code and the Highway Safety Code. The legal alcohol limit for driving in Quebec is 0.08, or 80 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. Exceed this limit, and you can be arrested and convicted—whether you’re driving or simply in care or control of the vehicle.
How much does a drunk driving arrest cost?
Depending on your profile and the consequences of the offence, an arrest for impaired driving can cost more than $10,000. With fines, a suspended licence, towing and storage fees, and higher insurance premiums, the bill adds up quickly.
The table below gives a representative breakdown.
Financial consequences following a first arrest and then a conviction for impaired driving (March 2026)
Consequences | At 24 years old1 | At 40 years old2 |
|---|---|---|
Immediate 90-day suspension of driver’s licence (from time of arrest) | Incalculable | Incalculable |
Vehicle towing3 | $211.90 | $211.90 |
Vehicle storage | $17.25/day | $17.25/day |
Driver’s licence revoked for one year; one-year prohibition from driving (after conviction) | Incalculable | Incalculable |
Minimum fine (Article 255 of the Criminal Code) | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Summary evaluation of the Program to assess and reduce the risk of impaired driving | $403.56 (including taxes) | $403.56 (including taxes) |
Alcofrein session | $150 | $150 |
Possible requirement to install an alcohol interlock device, if the judge agrees, after a minimum three-month prohibition from driving Installation of device Monthly lease cost (9 months at $69.99/month- optional insurance, usually included in the private auto insurance policy, is not counted) | (including taxes) $189.71 $724.24 | (including taxes) $189.71 $724.24 |
Removal of the ignition interlock | $63.24 | $63.24 |
Criminal lawyer’s fees 2 to 3 hours could be required (get the facts, exchanges and explanations, next steps, possibilities to be considered, etc.) 250 to $300/hour | $1,724.63 (including taxes) | $1,724.63 (including taxes) |
Extra insurance contribution payable to SAAQ to have new driver’s licence issued | $427.79 | $427.79 |
Impact on private auto insurance premium - 24-year-old male: Premium increases from $2,420.27 to $7,290.81 - 40-year-old male: Premium increases from $2,217.23 to $6,651.69 | $4,860.54 (including taxes) | $4,434,46 (including taxes) |
To cross the U.S. border following an initial conviction for impaired driving with no aggravating circumstances (injuries or death), the offender must present a copy of the court judgment along with a certified English translation by a professional referred by the Quebec Bar Association. This involves translation fees charged by a professional translator referred by the Quebec Bar Association (1,558 words at $0.30 per word). In addition, the offender must apply for an exemption to cross the U.S. border if he/she has been convicted for impaired driving with aggravating circumstances (injuries or death). This also involves fees ($1,100USD). | $537 (including taxes) or $1,497.87 | $537 (including taxes) or $1,497.87 |
TOTAL | $10,309.86 | $9,883.78 |
What happens after you get arrested for drunk driving?
How does a drunk driving conviction affect your insurance?
An impaired driving conviction can drive your premium way up—and keep it there for 4 to 6 years.
A number of circumstances affect how much you’ll pay, such as your age, your driving record and the severity of the offence. It’s best to talk to your insurance advisor.
Also read our advice on how drunk driving affects your insurance.
Can you travel to the United States after a drunk driving conviction?
In some cases, yes. Travelling to the U.S. is possible after a conviction, especially for a first offence without aggravating circumstances.
Planning a trip? Check the entry requirements for the country you want to visit at travel.gc.ca or contact the country’s consulate directly. Every country sets its own rules on who can cross its borders.
An impaired driving conviction results in a criminal record, which may prevent you from entering other countries or obtaining a visa. However, this usually doesn’t apply to a first conviction for impaired driving alone with no aggravating circumstances, such as injuries or death. The U.S. is one such case. If you’re headed there, make sure you have an English translation of your court judgment.
Racking up convictions? You may need a waiver to cross the border.
What is a U.S. Entry Waiver?
A waiver is essentially temporary permission to enter the U.S., despite a criminal record or aggravating circumstances. It is often valid for up to one year. Getting one is a long, complex and expensive process. You will need to fill out Form I-192, provide documentation and possibly hire a lawyer.
Getting home safely when you’ve been drinking
If you’ve been drinking and your ability to drive is impaired, you’ll need to find another way to get home safely. Despite the myths, nothing makes alcohol leave your system faster. Here are some better options:
- A designated driver, such as a relative or friend
- A taxi, Uber or similar service
- Operation Red Nose (in December) or other private safe ride services, such as Tolérance Zéro
- CAA-Quebec’s Safe Ride Service, which is included in your membership and counts as one of your annual service calls
Beyond these end-of-night solutions, road safety really comes down to education. That’s why the CAA-Quebec Foundation focuses on prevention by organizing drinking-and-driving activities to educate young drivers. These training programs are available free of charge to high schools upon request.
Drinking and driving: a leading cause of road accidents
Despite public awareness campaigns, drinking and driving remains a serious problem. Year after year, Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) statistics show that alcohol is involved in a large number of collisions across Quebec. The consequences can be serious, even irreversible, for you and everyone else involved.
Key takeaways
An impaired driving conviction can lead to:
- An immediate 90-day licence suspension
- Vehicle seizure, towing and storage
- A revoked driver’s licence
- A minimum fine of $1,000
- Installation of an alcohol ignition interlock device
- Participation in the Program to Assess
- and Reduce the Risk of Impaired Driving
- An Alcofrein session
- A significant increase in your auto insurance premium
- A criminal record
- Restrictions on entering the U.S. and other countries
© Mars 2026. All rights reserved, CAA-Quebec.
1. These figures apply for a 24-year-old male driver living the Montreal region, with a good insurance record, who owns a 2023 Honda Civic and committed the offence on the Island of Montreal.
2. These figures apply for a 40-year-old male driver living the Montreal region, with a good insurance record, who owns a 2025 Toyota RAV4 and committed the offence on the Island of Montreal.
3. A $51.19 vehicle recovery fee may also be added if specific operations must be performed.
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