Impaired driving laws in Northwest Territories
Impaired driving is one of the biggest causes of deaths and injuries on Canadian roads. In the Northwest Territories, new drivers face the strictest rule of all: no alcohol and no drugs in their system at all when they drive.
Impairment is not only about alcohol. Cannabis, illegal drugs, some prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and even fatigue can make you unfit to drive.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can state the alcohol and drug rule for GDL drivers and drivers under 22.
- You can describe what happens at .05 and at .08 for any driver.
- You can explain the rules for carrying cannabis in a vehicle.
- You can plan a safe way home that does not involve driving impaired.
What you need to know and understand
- Class 7 and Class 5P drivers, drivers under 22 and certain commercial drivers must have no alcohol or drugs in their system.
- Under the GDL program, a new driver who has consumed any alcohol faces an automatic 30-day licence suspension.
- Any driver at or above .05 per cent blood alcohol faces a 24-hour suspension, rising to 30 days for repeat offences.
- A driver charged at over .08, or who refuses a breath or blood demand, receives an automatic 90-day Administrative Licence Suspension.
- GDL drivers do not get the 7-day temporary permit that some fully licensed drivers receive before a 90-day suspension starts.
- A Criminal Code impaired driving conviction means at least one year without a licence and a criminal record.
- Cannabis in a vehicle must be in its original sealed package or a closed container nobody in the vehicle can reach.
- Driving while fatigued can lead to a 24-hour roadside suspension.
Zero means zero for new drivers
If you hold a Class 7 or Class 5P, or you are under 22, the legal limit for you is nothing. One drink, or any cannabis or other drug, is enough for a suspension. On a learner's licence the rule covers your supervisor too: both of you must have zero blood alcohol while you drive.
A suspension also costs you time. You need 12 suspension-free months on Class 5P before you can upgrade, so one bad decision can delay your full licence.
Penalties for every driver
After a conviction, getting your licence back can involve a driver assessment, education and treatment programs and a reinstatement fee. The NWT also runs an Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program that can allow an earlier return to driving with a breath-testing device fitted.
- .05 per cent or more: 24-hour suspension, rising to 30 days for repeat offences.
- Charged at over .08, or refusing a sample: automatic 90-day suspension, with no conviction needed, on top of any court order.
- Criminal Code conviction: licence suspended and driving prohibited for at least one year, with longer NWT disqualifications for repeat convictions within 10 years.
- Driving while suspended: possible 5 demerit points, a 30-day vehicle seizure and fines of at least $345.
Cannabis, medicine and planning ahead
It is illegal to consume cannabis in a vehicle or to have it in an open container. Medical cannabis users follow the same impaired driving laws. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before driving on any new medication, and never mix alcohol with other drugs.
Coffee and fresh air do not sober you up; only time does. If you might drink, leave the car at home, use a designated driver who drinks nothing, take a taxi, stay over or call someone for a ride. These laws also apply to boats, snowmobiles and off-road vehicles. The deeper guide to NWT impaired driving, ignition interlock and demerits has more detail.
Common mistakes
- Thinking one drink is fine on a 5P. For GDL drivers and anyone under 22, any amount is illegal.
- Believing coffee or a cold shower will sober you up. Only time works.
- Keeping an open bag of cannabis in the glovebox. It must be sealed or in a closed container nobody can reach.
- Driving while very tired. Fatigue is treated as impairment and can mean a roadside suspension.
Test yourself: Impaired driving laws in Northwest Territories
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Impaired Driving, Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Infrastructure; Driver's Manual (Basic): a guide to safely operate cars and light trucks, revised August 2022, Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Infrastructure, Chapters 1, 7 and 9. Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.