PEI Zero Tolerance Under 22: Impaired and Phone Rules

Photo: Robert Linsdell, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Prince Edward Island, every driver under 22 must have zero alcohol and zero drugs in their system when driving, even after leaving the GDL program. The same applies to any driver still in GDL, whatever their age. GDL drivers also cannot use any hand-held device. This guide explains PEI’s zero tolerance rule, the penalties, the cellphone law and the courses Highway Safety runs for drivers who get into trouble.

Key facts

Zero blood alcohol and blood drug concentration: all GDL drivers, and all drivers under 22.
Any alcohol at all: 24-hour roadside suspension plus 90-day administrative prohibition.
Driving with a blood alcohol concentration above 0 carries 12 demerit points, according to the GDL booklet’s demerit table.
No hand-held phones, headphones or other hand-held devices for any GDL driver. Hands-free is allowed.
A criminal impaired driving conviction cancels your licence: 1 year for a first offence, 3 years for a second, 5 years for a third or later.

PEI zero tolerance: is it under 19 or under 22?

Under 22. Older PEI documents give different ages, so here is how they fit together:

Official document	What it says
GDL booklet (Dec 2022, updated Aug 2023)	Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol covers all drivers under 22, even if they left GDL before turning 22.
Co-pilot guide for parents	Zero BAC for new drivers under 19, for anyone in GDL regardless of age, and for all drivers under 22 who got their licence after September 16, 2017.
Driver’s Handbook, Chapter 7	Zero BAC for new drivers under 22, or licensed less than three years regardless of age.
Driver’s Handbook, Chapter 4 heading	“Under the age of 19”. This is older wording, replaced by the newer rules above.

In practice: if you are under 22, or in any GDL stage, do not drive after any alcohol or cannabis. GDL drivers must also keep their blood drug concentration at zero.

Penalties for alcohol or drugs in PEI

Situation	Penalty
Zero-tolerance driver with any alcohol	24-hour roadside suspension and 90-day administrative prohibition; 12 demerit points on conviction
Any driver with BAC over 0.05 but not over 0.08	Suspension of 24 hours (first), 30 days (second within 24 months), 90 days (third or later within 24 months)
Roadside screening shows “WARN” or “FAIL”	Licence surrendered, 24-hour suspension
Impaired driving charge	90-day Administrative Driving Prohibition, effective seven days after the charge
Criminal Code conviction (over 0.08, impaired by a drug or by drugs and alcohol, refusing a breath or blood sample)	Licence cancelled: 1 year first offence, 3 years second, 5 years third or later
Driving while disqualified	A further six-month cancellation, added after the existing one

After an impaired driving conviction

Driver Rehabilitation Course: required before reinstatement for anyone convicted of impaired driving, refusing roadside screening or a breathalyzer reading over 0.08. It is held in Charlottetown, Summerside and Montague.
Habitual offenders: two or more impaired convictions mean an alcohol and drug assessment, and possibly treatment, before reinstatement.
Ignition Interlock Program: eligible drivers may get early reinstatement with a restricted licence. They can drive only a vehicle fitted with a breath-testing device, serviced at least every 60 days.

For the federal Criminal Code limits that apply across the country, see impaired driving penalties in Canada for new drivers.

How alcohol affects your driving

Reaction time: the average reaction is about three-quarters of a second. At 50 km/h a car travels about 10.5 metres in that time. The handbook says a driver who is impaired but not drunk reacts about 20% slower.
Vision: alcohol works like grey glass in front of your eyes. You need more light to see, and you recover from glare more slowly.
Mixing: the handbook says two drinks plus one normal dose of a common tranquilizer can equal the impairment of six drinks.
Medication: some prescription drugs, including antidepressants, are mood-altering. Ask your pharmacist or doctor before driving.

PEI cellphone law and distracted driving

All drivers

No texting, dialling, chatting, emailing or searching on a hand-held device while driving.
Devices covered include phones, GPS units and laptops.
Allowed: hands-free technology activated with a single touch, or pulling over and stopping to use the phone.
Calls to 911 are exempt, as are drivers of ambulances, fire vehicles and police vehicles.
The handbook lists fines of $250 to $400 and three demerit points. Fines are set in law and change, so check the current amount with Highway Safety.

GDL drivers

Stage 1, 2 and 3 drivers cannot use a hand-held phone, headphones or any other hand-held electronic device while driving or in care and control of a vehicle. A hands-free phone is permitted.

Other distractions the handbook warns about

Learn your car and phone controls before you drive, especially in a new or rental vehicle.
Pull over to eat, read a map, write notes or pick up something you dropped.
Avoid emotional conversations, whether with passengers or on the phone.
Do not start a trip tired. At 90 km/h, dozing for three seconds covers the length of a football field.
Keep children buckled and occupied.

PEI highway safety programs and demerit points

Program	Who it is for	Format
Novice Driver Course	Class 7 holders not enrolled in a certified driver education program, before the Class 5 road test	About 4 hours, sometimes split over two evenings
Defensive Driving Course	Any driver; those with up to 11 demerit points can earn 3 merit points on passing	Six one-hour sessions
Driver Improvement Course	Drivers suspended under the demerit system, within six months of reinstatement	Four two-hour sessions and a test
Driver Rehabilitation Course	Drivers convicted of impaired driving	Films, lectures and assignments

Demerit thresholds

Driver	Warning	Suspension
Stage 2	3 to 5 points	1 month at 6 points
Stage 3	5 to 8 points	1 month at 9 points
Experienced driver (licensed over two years, not in GDL)	Letter at 6 to 8; interview at 9 to 11	3 months at 12 points within two years

Examples from the official tables: speeding 80 km/h or more over the limit and failing to stop for a school bus are 12 points each, racing is 9, speeding 30 km/h to under 60 km/h over the limit is 6, and failing to yield, improper passing, speeding under 30 km/h over, not wearing a seatbelt or failing to report an accident is 3.

Common questions

Can I have one drink and drive at 20 in PEI?

No. Drivers under 22 must have zero alcohol and zero drugs.

I am 25 and in Stage 2. Does zero tolerance apply to me?

Yes. Zero BAC and drugs apply to every GDL driver regardless of age.

Does zero tolerance cover cannabis in PEI?

Yes. The rule covers drugs as well as alcohol, and GDL drivers must keep their blood drug concentration at zero.

Can a GDL driver use a phone mounted on the dash?

Not hand-held. GDL drivers may use a hands-free phone. Do not hold, tap through or pick up the device while driving.

Can my supervisor drink before supervising me?

Your Stage 1 supervisor must have a blood alcohol concentration under 0.05.

How long is a licence cancelled for a first impaired conviction in PEI?

One year, and you must complete the Driver Rehabilitation Course before reinstatement.

Sources

Government of Prince Edward Island, Highway Safety Division, “Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program (GDL)” booklet, December 2022 and August 2023 editions (princeedwardisland.ca)
Government of Prince Edward Island, Highway Safety Division, “Co-pilot: A Guide for Parents and Guardians of New Drivers” (princeedwardisland.ca)
Government of Prince Edward Island, Highway Safety, “Prince Edward Island Driver’s Handbook” (princeedwardisland.ca)
Government of Prince Edward Island, “Novice Driver Course (NDC)” (princeedwardisland.ca)

PEI Impaired and Distracted Driving: Zero Tolerance Until 22