Quebec has an allowable limit of 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 ml (0.08) of blood alcohol content (BAC). This amount of BAC is equal to two to three bottles of beer.
Quebec has one of the lowest drink-and-drive accident rates among Canadian provinces. However, the region saw a rise in drunk driving incidents in 2019.
This post will discuss what you need to know about drinking and driving in Quebec, including penalties for impaired driving.
Please keep in mind that the goal of this post is merely to provide information on impaired driving in Quebec. The article does not support drinking a specific quantity and driving.
We strongly advise against driving while intoxicated in any way. Even if you only drink within the legal limit, we highly urge you to book a cab, Uber, or designated driver service.
It’s also a good idea to regularly check the state or province’s official website for updates on the laws governing drunk driving.
Legal Alcohol Limit When Driving in Quebec
Impaired driving laws in Quebec allow people to drive when drunk within the legal alcohol limit.
The legal alcohol limit for drinking and driving in Quebec is based on the alcohol concentration in your bloodstream. The permissible blood-alcohol content in this province is below 80 mg or 0.08% concentration.
The amount of alcohol that actually enters your body may not match the amount of liquid in your glass or can. When considering mixed cocktails and kind bartenders, the countless varieties of beer, wine, and liquor, each with a specific alcohol content, become much trickier.
According to studies, a man weighing 150 pounds (68 kilos) with one standard drink within one hour can have 30 mg BAC or 0.30% alcohol concentration in his blood.
Thus, drinking one to two standard alcoholic drinks within an hour will keep you within the legal BAC limit.
However, you should know that alcohol impacts differently in each person. Some factors that play a role in a person’s ability to hold alcohol are gender, age, and weight.
Men and women have dramatically different blood alcohol levels. Women often have a greater BAC than men of the same age and weight.
Men also have more highly active forms of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in their stomach and liver, which helps them process alcohol more quickly.
While the studies mentioned above and observations about alcohol processing can aid in determining your blood alcohol level, it is unreliable because alcohol has different effects on different people. Using an alcohol breathalyzer is the most precise way to determine how much alcohol is in your system.
Drink and Drive Punishment in Quebec
Driving while intoxicated has equivalent punishment in Quebec. Going beyond the allowable blood alcohol content limit may cause jail time and significant car accidents.
The Criminal Code and the Highway Safety Code both harshly penalize driving while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications.
You may be arrested and convicted under the Criminal Code if:
- You have an alcohol blood content of 80 mg or more per 100 ml of blood (0.08)
- Your blood contains pharmaceuticals or certain medications.
- You drink, use drugs, or take medication that affects your driving ability.
- You defy a peace officer’s commands and do not follow them.
Here are some penalties you’d have to go through if you do not abide by the Quebec government’s driving rules and regulations.
Penalty for Having a BAC of 80 mg or More Per 100 Milliliters of Blood (0.08)
- 90-day immediate license suspension
- If the offense is repeated, the car will be impounded immediately and for 90 days.
- Following a conviction for a crime, your driver’s license will be suspended, and you will have requirements to fulfill before you can get a new one.
Penalty for Having a BAC of 160 mg or More Per 100 Milliliters of Blood (0.16)
- 90-day immediate license suspension
- Immediate seizure and 30-day impoundment of the car (90 days in the case of a repeat offense)
- Program to evaluate and lower the risk of driving while intoxicated.
- ignition interlock for alcohol (depending on the situation)
- Following a conviction for a crime, your driver’s license will be suspended, and you will have requirements to fulfill before you can get a new one.
Penalty for Refusing to Obey a Peace Officer’s Orders
- 90-day immediate license suspension
- Immediate seizure and 30-day impoundment of the car (90 days in the case of a repeat offense)
- Program to evaluate and lower the risk of driving while intoxicated.
- ignition interlock for alcohol (depending on the circumstances)
- Following a conviction for a crime, your driver’s license will be suspended, and you will have requirements to fulfill before you can get a new one.
When Can You Drink and Drive in Quebec?
As previously said, each person’s reaction to alcohol may be different. Although the following information is based on studies, it does not imply that it is accurate (same for BAC calculators).
Each of us has a unique alcohol tolerance, and our bodies uniquely react to alcohol. It is still better to avoid drinking if you are driving.
How Many Beers Can You Drink and Drive in Quebec?
Typically, 12 ounces (350 ml) of beer contains about 5% alcohol. This alcohol level indicates that a man weighing 150 pounds (68 kilos) can only have one to two bottles of beer to meet the 0.08% BAC. Drinking three bottles in an hour can risk your BAC increasing up to 0.08%.
How Much Wine Can You Drink and Drive in Quebec?
Drinking two glasses (125 ml) of wine may bring 0.06% to 0.10% blood alcohol content to a male weighing 150 pounds. On the other hand, women who drank the same amount can risk getting 0.06% BAC to 0.10% BAC.
How Many Shots of Vodka or Whiskey Can You Drink and Drive in Quebec?
Using the same example, a 150-pound (68 kilos) man can have a BAC of 0.03% after drinking 1.5 ounces of spirits with approximately 40% alcohol level. One shot is enough if you are planning to drive home. Anything more than one can risk violating the legal BAC limit.
Drive Safely
Everyone needs to find their way home safely. When there are so many alternative safe ways to get home, there is no excuse to drive while intoxicated. You put not just your own life in danger when you drive after drinking but also the lives of other motorists.
Even if you have just had a few shots or bottles, avoiding driving is preferable, even though there is a legal limit for blood alcohol content. Instead of drinking and driving, appoint a driver.
You can leave your car at home overnight and think about taking a cab, using public transportation, using ride-hailing services, or calling a friend to ask a favor to drive you home.
If driving after drinking alcohol is unavoidable, ensure that your BAC is within the legal limit based on the most recent legislation on the state or province’s official website.
While we have listed some drinking limitations, it is still best to utilize a reliable breathalyzer to assess your blood alcohol content accurately.
