In addition to a prohibition period under the federal law, the driver’s licence, or privilege to obtain a driver’s licence, is suspended under provincial legislation. The Highway Traffic Act (HTA) outlines provincial suspensions for Criminal Code convictions. This provincial suspension period is applied after the conviction is registered and the federal Order of Prohibition is issued.

Suspension Periods for Criminal Code Convictions (HTA)

• the minimum suspension period one year for the first conviction
• if convicted of a second criminal code offence within 10 years, the driver’s licence suspension period is three years
• if convicted of a third criminal code offence within 10 years, the suspension period is five years
• the driver’s licence or driving privileges are suspended for life in the case of the fourth and subsequent criminal code convictions within a 10 year period from the date of first conviction
  • The suspended driver may be eligible for a review of the lifetime suspension after 10 years by applying to the Registrar in writing.
• any driver convicted of impaired driving causing bodily harm will receive a 10- year suspension.
  • The suspended driver may be eligible for a review of the 10-year suspension after 5 years by applying to the Registrar in writing.
• Any driver convicted of impaired driving causing death will receive a lifetime suspension
  • The suspended driver may be eligible for a review of the lifetime suspension after 10 years by applying to the Registrar in writing.