How Does a DUI Affect Your Auto Insurance Rates
Last Updated: September 19, 2023
Driving under the influence (DUI) or impaired driving refers to operating a vehicle or having “care and control” of a vehicle while your ability to do so has been compromised by alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two. A driver does not need a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or drug reading over the legal limit for the police to charge them with impaired driving.
So long as their ability to drive was affected by the consumption of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of the two, an individual may be driving while impaired.
What are the penalties and charges for a DUI?
Penalties for Warnings
DUI offences are unique in that you can be issued several warning penalties without being placed under arrest or charged with a DUI-related offence. These penalties vary depending on your number of DUI-related arrests, convictions or licence suspensions. For individuals who receive a blood alcohol centration (BAC) reading of 0.05-0.079 mg or who fail a Field Sobriety Test due to alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two, the following penalties apply immediately:
First offence
| Penalty | Ontario | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | 3 days | 3 days | 3 days |
| Licence Reinstatement Fee | $281 | $209 | $281 |
| Fine | $250 | $300 | $200 |
| Additional costs | – | Towing and impound charges | Towing and impound charges |
| Appeal | – | Roadside appeal and appeals process through SafeRoads Alberta | – |
Second offence
| Penalty | Ontario | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | 7 days | 15 days | 7 days |
| Vehicle Seizure | – | 7 days | 7 days |
| Licence Reinstatement Fee | $281 | $209 | $281 |
| Fine | $350 | $600 | $300 |
| Additional costs | – | Towing and impound charges | Towing and impound charges |
| Appeal | – | Roadside appeal and appeals process through SafeRoads Alberta | – |
| Educational or treatment program | “Back on Track” Remedial Measures Program: $894 for convicted impaired drivers or $344 for individuals with administrative suspensions | “Crossroads”: $194 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Third or subsequent offences
| Penalty | Ontario | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Vehicle Seizure | – | 7 days | 30 days |
| Licence Reinstatement Fee | $281 | $209 | $281 |
| Fine | $450 | $1,200 | $400 |
| Additional costs | – | Towing and impound charges | Towing and impound charges |
| Appeal | – | Roadside appeal and appeals process through SafeRoads Alberta | – |
| Educational or treatment program | “Back on Track” Remedial Measures Program: $894 for convicted impaired drivers or $344 for individuals with administrative suspensions | “Impact”: $1,204 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
| Ignition interlock device | Drivers must register and install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive for 6 months. The cost of the program, including installation, calibration and monitoring, insurance, removal, and regular maintenance, can total between $1,500-$2,000 depending on the make and model of your vehicle. | – | *Drivers may be required to register an ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive. The fee schedule can be found here. |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Penalties Upon Arrest
Unlike most offences, penalties resulting from a DUI kick in immediately upon arrest – even before a conviction has occurred. As noted above, these penalties vary depending on your number of DUI-related arrests, convictions or licence suspensions. The penalties below will apply for individuals who:
- Receive a blood alcohol centration (BAC) reading of 0.08 or more;
- Fail or refuse to comply with an alcohol or drug testing demand; or
- Fail a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation
First offence
| Penalty | Ontario | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Roadside Suspension | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Vehicle Seizure | 7 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Licence Reinstatement Fee | $281 | $209 | $281 |
| Fine | $550 | $1,000 | $500 |
| Additional costs | (for drivers under 21 or with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence): $250 | Towing and impound charges | Towing and impound charges |
| Appeal | – | Roadside appeal and appeals process through SafeRoads Alberta | – |
| Educational or treatment program | – | “Planning Ahead”: $364 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
| Ignition interlock device | – | Drivers will be required to register for an ignition interlock device | *Drivers may be required to register an ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive. The fee schedule can be found here. |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Second offence
| Penalty | Ontario | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Roadside Suspension | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Vehicle Seizure | 7 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Licence Reinstatement Fee | $281 | $209 | $281 |
| Fine | $550 | $2,000 | $500 |
| Additional costs | (for drivers under 21 or with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence): $350 | Towing and impound charges | Towing and impound charges |
| Appeal | – | Roadside appeal and appeals process through SafeRoads Alberta | – |
| Educational or treatment program | “Back on Track” Remedial Measures Program: $894 for convicted impaired drivers or $344 for individuals with administrative suspensions | “Impact”: $1,204 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
| Ignition interlock device | – | Drivers will be required to register for an ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive for 3 years. The fee schedule can be found here. | *Drivers may be required to register an ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive. The fee schedule can be found here. |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Third or Subsequent Offences
| Penalty | Ontario | Alberta | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate Roadside Suspension | 90 days | 90 days | 90 days |
| Vehicle Seizure | 7 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Licence Reinstatement Fee | $281 | $209 | $281 |
| Fine | $550 | $2,000 | $500 |
| Additional costs | (for drivers under 21 or with a G1, G2, M1 or M2 licence): $450 | Towing and impound charges | Towing and impound charges |
| Appeal | – | Roadside appeal and appeals process through SafeRoads Alberta | – |
| Educational or treatment program | “Back on Track” Remedial Measures Program: $894 for convicted impaired drivers or $344 for individuals with administrative suspensions | “Impact”: $1,204 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
| Ignition interlock device | Drivers must register and install an ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive for 6 months. The cost of the program, including installation, calibration and monitoring, insurance, removal, and regular maintenance, can total between $1,500-$2,000, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. | Drivers will be required to register for a Lifetime ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive. Drivers may apply for an exemption after 10 years. The fee schedule can be found here. | *Drivers may be required to register an ignition interlock device on any vehicle they wish to drive. The fee schedule can be found here. |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Penalties Upon Conviction
If you are criminally convicted of an impaired driving offence, you will face penalties in addition to the ones noted above.
First Conviction
| Penalty | Ontario | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | 1 year (minimum) | 1 year (minimum) |
| Fine | $1,000 (minimum) | $1,000 (minimum) |
| Additional fine for drivers under 21, or with learner’s or probationary licences | $60-$1,000 | – |
| Jail or Imprisonment | – | – |
| Ignition interlock device | 1 year (minimum) | *Yes |
| Educational or treatment program | – | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Second Conviction
| Penalty | Ontario | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | 3 year (minimum) | 3 year (minimum) |
| Fine | $1,000 (minimum) | $1,000 (minimum) |
| Additional fine for drivers under 21, or with learner’s or probationary licences | $60-$1,000 | – |
| Jail or Imprisonment | 30 days (minimum) | 30 days (minimum) |
| Ignition interlock device | 3 years (minimum) | *Yes |
| Educational or treatment program | “Back on Track”: $894 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
| Medical Evaluation | This evaluation is required to determine if you meet the requirements to drive a vehicle in the province of Ontario. | – |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Third Conviction (within 10 years)
| Penalty | Ontario | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | Lifetime suspension unless you are meet the criteria for enrollment in the Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program. If successful, your suspension can be reduced to 10 years. | Indefinite suspension. You must wait 5 years before applying to get it back. |
| Fine | $1,000 (minimum) | $1,000 (minimum) |
| Additional fine for drivers under 21, or with learner’s or probationary licences | $60-$1,000 | – |
| Jail or Imprisonment | 120 days (minimum) | 120 days (minimum) |
| Ignition interlock device | 6 years (minimum) | *Yes |
| Educational or treatment program | “Back on Track”: $894 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
| Medical Evaluation | This evaluation is required to determine if you meet the requirements to drive a vehicle in the province of Ontario. | – |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Fourth Conviction (within 10 year)
| Penalty | Ontario | British Columbia |
|---|---|---|
| Licence Suspension | Lifetime suspension with no possibility of reduction. | Indefinite suspension. You must wait 5 years before applying to get it back. |
| Fine | $1,000 (minimum) | $1,000 (minimum) |
| Additional fine for drivers under 21, or with learner’s or probationary licences | $60-$1,000 | – |
| Jail or Imprisonment | 120 days (minimum) | 120 days (minimum) |
| Ignition interlock device | 6 years (minimum) | *Yes |
| Educational or treatment program | “Back on Track”: $894 | *“Responsible Driver Program”: $930 |
| Medical Evaluation | This evaluation is required to determine if you meet the requirements to drive a vehicle in the province of Ontario. | – |
*These conditions may be imposed.
Car insurance rates by province before and after a DUI
There is no easy way to put it: driving following a DUI will cost you an arm and a leg. A DUI can remain on your permanent record for three years following conviction. If the Ministry of Transportation suspends your licence, the suspension will stay on your record for at least six years. As a result, insurance quotes estimate that your annual premium can range anywhere from three to five times more than what it was prior to your DUI.
The following quotes are based on the average annual premiums across Canada prior to and following a DUI conviction:
| Province | Annual Premium Before DUI | Annual Premium After DUI |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $1,832 | $5,496 – $9,160 |
| Ontario | $1,674 | $5,022 – $8,370 |
| Alberta | $1,316 | $3,948 – $6,580 |
| Saskatchewan | $1,235 | $3,705 – $6,175 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $1,168 | $3,504 – $5,840 |
| Manitoba | $1,140 | $3,420 – $5,700 |
| Nova Scotia | $891 | $2,673 – $4,455 |
| New Brunswick | $867 | $2,601 – $4,335 |
| Prince Edward Island | $861 | $2,583 – $4,305 |
| Quebec | $717 | $2,151 – $3,585 |
DUI insurance costs by age
Your car insurance rates will vary greatly depending on your age, gender and licence type. In general, insurance for young drivers and/or drivers with learner’s or probationary licences, such as a G1 or G2 in Ontario or a Class 7 or Class 5 in Alberta, tends to be more expensive.
For example, the following rates are those based on the average annual premium in Ontario and Alberta:
Ontario
| Age | Male Premium | Female Premium |
|---|---|---|
| 20-25 | $2,852 | $2,650 |
| 26-29 | $2,604 | $2,363 |
| 30-35 | $2,488 | $2,329 |
| 36-39 | $2,432 | $2,364 |
| 40-49 | $2,076 | $2,006 |
| 50-59 | $1,724 | $1,602 |
| 60-69 | $1,422 | $1,245 |
| 70+ | $1,367 | $1,243 |
Alberta
| Age | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| 16-25 | $1,860 |
| 35-40 | $1,212 |
| 56-60 | $1,224 |
FAQ
Will an impaired driving charge raise your car insurance rate?
Yes, it does. First, you must disclose your DUI to your insurance carrier. If you don’t, they will have the right to refuse your claims or cancel your policy.
With a DUI on your record, you will now be considered a “high-risk driver.” If your carrier decides to maintain your coverage, it will be at a higher monthly/annual premium than it was before your DUI. According to multiple online insurance quotes, high-risk auto insurance premiums in Canada can range anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 more annually.
In addition to higher rates, high-risk insurance tends to provide more limited coverage and payment options.
Will the insurance company ever lower your premium after a DUI?
It will likely be several years until your premium will begin to decrease – rates typically lower after your licence suspension has ended, the DUI is removed from your driving record and court-ordered processes have resolved. In the meantime, there are several ways that you can help bring down the cost of your insurance:
- Make and Model of Your Car: To offset the initial higher cost of insurance that you will experience following a DUI, driving a smaller, non-sport vehicle that costs less to insure may be beneficial in the meantime.
- Deductible: If possible, try to change your policy to a higher deductible to offset the cost of higher premiums.
- Clean Driving Record: While you wrestle with higher insurance, you must keep your driving record clean following the DUI conviction.
- Fines: Promptly pay any fines that you receive.
- Rehabilitation Programs: Besides any mandatory rehabilitation programs, drivers should take any recommended class or programs to demonstrate their commitment to driving safety following their DUI conviction.
Should I inform my insurance provider about my DUI?
Yes, you should. While insurance providers can likely cancel your policy due to your DUI conviction, the consequences of them discovering this information through other means are not worth the risk.
Most insurance providers carry an obligation to inform them if you are convicted of a criminal or driving-related offence. If you do not inform your insurer and they become aware of the conviction through the Ministry of Transportation, they can cancel your policy or refuse to provide accident coverage.
Any act of misrepresentation, such as choosing not to inform your insurer of a DUI conviction, may make it more challenging to retain insurance from another provider in the future.
