Saskatchewan penalties for drinking and driving

There are a number of penalties and suspensions for convictions or charges of having a blood alcohol content level of .08 or higher, impaired driving or failure to comply with a demand for a breath test or standard field sobriety test. 

Statutory suspensions 

Follows the conviction on any of the charges: 

First offence – One year suspension 

Second offence – Three year suspension 

Third and subsequent offence – Five year suspension 

Criminal Code suspensions 

Mandatory court-order prohibition is required for any convictions: 

First offence – Minimum one year probation to a maximum of three years 

Second offence – Minimum two years probation to a maximum of five years 

Third offence – Minimum three years probation to a maximum of three plus years 

90-day administration suspensions 

Any driver charged receives an automatic 24-hour roadside suspension, followed by a seven-day driving permit with the 90-day suspension starting when the driving permit ends. 

Penalties and fines 

Minimum of $1,000 court fine and a $500 penalty under the safe driver recognition program. 

Loss of four points under the safe driver recognition program. 

Possible jail time and a criminal record that may prevent travel outside of Canada. 

An additional $150 for the driving without impairment course. 

Roadside suspensions – Experienced drivers 

Drivers caught with a blood alcohol level of .04 or over also face suspensions 

First occurrence – immediate 24-hour roadside suspension. 

Second occurrence – immediate 24-hour roadside suspension, followed by a 15-day suspension once SGI is notified of the suspension along with the requirement to complete driving without impairment course at a cost of $150 within 90 days. 

Subsequent occurrences – immediate 24-hour roadside suspension which is extended to a 90-day suspension. Must also complete addiction screening and education or a recovery program before getting licence back. 

Roadside suspensions – new drivers 

Any driver in the graduated driver’s licence program will have their licence suspended if caught driving after consuming any amount of alcohol. 

First occurrence – immediate 30-day roadside suspension along with the requirement to complete driving without impairment course at a cost of $150 within 90 days. 

Subsequent occurrences – immediate 30-day roadside suspension which is extended to 90-days. Must also complete addiction screening and education or a recovery program before getting licence back.