Legal Consequences of Impaired Driving for Ontario G2 Drivers

The severity of punishment for the violation of blood alcohol limits in Canada depends on the type of licence you have. Yet, all of them have something in common – strict legal consequences that can even lead to a criminal record. In what circumstances? Read this post up to the end to know.

The Basics of Impaired Driving in Canada

The Criminal Code of Canada established the legal limit of the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) – 0.08%. If you have it or higher, you can’t operate a motor vehicle, as it may lead to over 80 charges. However, this does not apply to all drivers.

Having your G2 driving license at last usually feels like a deep sip of freedom. You’ve passed the written test, practiced enough with a qualified supervisor and successfully acquired a G2 license. Congratulations, you’re an almost fully licensed driver! Now, compared to a G1 license, you can:

• Be the primary policyholder for auto insurance;
• Drive without a supervisor and on highways;
• Enjoy night rides between midnight and 5. a.m.

As we all know, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Ontario G2 licence definitely has more privileges and comes with even more restrictions: impairment and passengers. With passenger responsibilities, it’s easy – you are now responsible for passengers wearing seatbelts (there are nuances if you are 19 years old or younger). But what about impaired driving?

Zero Tolerance Policy

Novice drivers under 21 (Those who have G1 and G2 licences) are subject to an especially strict zero tolerance law. It completely clarifies the question, “What is the blood alcohol limit for g1 and g2 drivers?”. The answer is ZERO. No “over 80” (can be less than .05 in exceptional circumstances), no “my friends were drinking, and I just stood near them” excuses. You cannot drive with ANY cannabis and ANY alcohol in your system.

RIDE Programs

All these strict rules have a simple goal – to keep you and your family safe. According to statistics, more than 69,000 incidents of impaired driving happen yearly. These are the numbers that have to be taken into account. That is why programs such as MAS and RIDE appear. 

The Reduced Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program in Ontario is another tool, similar to MAS, that authorities use to lessen the number of driving and drinking incidents. It includes random roadside checks, and in some of them, there are immediate consequences, like tickets, fines and demerit points.

How Does Ontario’s Graduated Driver’s Licencing System (G1, G2, Full G) Work?

Ontario’s G licencing system is a graduate process of becoming an experienced driver. Such a system gives drivers more practice, which results in confidence and safer driving later. To gain your G1 license, you need to be at least 16 years old and pass a special written assessment and health test (eye exam). 

Next, you gradually improve your driving skills in lower-risk conditions and gain your full driving license. Here’s a breakdown of G1 vs G2 vs Full G restrictions:

• G1 License is the beginner’s permit. You can only drive with a fully licensed driver (with at least 4 years of experience) in the passenger seat. There are also restrictions, like no alcohol in your system and no driving between midnight and 5 a.m.;
• G2 License will be given to you after passing a road test. Now, you can drive alone but still have some conditions, such as maintaining a zero blood alcohol level;
• Full GLicense gives you full driving privileges, but only after you complete a second road test and highway driving. 

There are other classes of driving licences in Ontario, like M for Motorcycles and commercial licenses (A, B, C, D, E, F, etc.) for trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicle drivers. Each of them has different legal consequences of impaired driving. You can learn more about them by reading our informative blog or by contacting us.

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Consequences of Impaired Driving for G2 Drivers

G2 blood alcohol level must be zero if you are under 21. For G2 drivers over 21 years of age, the legal limit is the same as for fully licensed drivers (0.08%), with a “warn range” of 0.05%, where penalties begin. 

If you breach the limits and are caught, you may face various penalties. They depend on many factors, including your age, experience, licence class, BAC, whether it’s your first offence or not, etc. The good news is that we know that making mistakes is part of our nature. Jonathan Lapid, an experienced DUI lawyer in Brampton and Canada, can help you avoid legal consequences.

Here’s the breakdown of G2 DUI’s possible penalties: 

G2 Impaired Driving and Insurance

As you can see, with every subsequent offence, the legal consequences for DUI G2 driving become more and more severe. Every fine can rise to $1,000 or more if you are convicted. And if you think that this is just a one-time payment that you can cover and forget, no. Your car needs insurance, and if you were charged with DUI being a G2 driver, get ready for:

• Having an SR-22 form (Certificate of Financial Responsibility) proving you have the minimum required liability insurance coverage and leading to additional expenses;
• Limited coverage options and increased premiums, as you’ll be considered a high-risk driver;
• Long-term consequences affecting car insurance quotes.

Breaching BAC limits for any driver is a neverending stress for many years ahead. For your and your relative’s safety, the best thing to do is to forget about drinking if you plan to drive anywhere. If it already happened, Jonathan Lapid will do his best to minimize the legal consequences. 

Get Help from an Expert Legal Impaired Driving Lawyer in Ontario

As a level g2 driver under 21 years old, your alcohol must be ZERO. Otherwise, you’ll face countless fines, penalties, tickets, demerit points and even more serious consequences. If you got charged with a DUI – don’t wait and contact Jonathan Lapid immediately. We’ll provide you with a FREE consultation and think of a defensive strategy to minimize or eliminate possible adverse outcomes.