Affordable Ottawa Driver’s Licence Suspension Lawyers

In Ottawa, your drivers’ licence can be suspended for 90 days at the roadside at the behest of police offers who stop you.

The Ontario Highway Traffic Act provides for this. It is officially called an administrative driver’s licence suspension (ADLS).

The decision will be made at the discretion of the police officer and before you have an opportunity to consult your lawyer or to fight any charges in court. 

In Canada like in most developed countries, people rely on the ability to drive to work and to carry out their employment duties, as well as to provide transportation for loved ones.

Any interruption to this can become a serious impediment to leading a normal life.

That’s why it’s so important to find a lawyer who can challenge the driver’s licence suspension and associated charges.

Police officers can invoke a 90-day administrative driver’s licence suspension as a result of:

• Refusal to take a breath test
• A Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 80 milligrams in 100 milliliters of blood (.08) or higher
• Failure to provide a blood, oral fluid or urine sample when asked by police
• Failure or refusal to perform physical co-ordination tests or submit to a drug evaluation when required by police

In addition to losing your licence, you will be subject to:

• Criminal charges
• A fine at the time of suspension

In the days following the incident, if you are caught driving without a licence or while under suspension, the consequences will be even more serious.

Suspension of your licence may not always seem like a fair punishment, based upon the “innocent until proven guilty” outlook and the effects that the suspension can have on everyday life.

What can you do about it?

With the aid of an experienced driving charge lawyer, it is possible to have your driving licence suspension revoked and to get back on the road. The best way of doing that is to successfully defend the criminal charges against you. That means either getting your case dismissed before it goes to trial or winning the case at trial and earning an acquittal. This is possible with an experienced lawyer who understands the technical requirements to convict you of a driving offence where alcohol or drugs are involved.

There are many technical elements of such cases that the prosecution must address with 100 percent accuracy in order to secure a conviction and maintain your driving licence suspension.

Because of the high burden of proof, an experienced lawyer provides you with a chance of being back on the road sooner rather than later.

In Ontario, a driver’s licence suspension does not automatically end with the passage of time. Once the suspension period has passed, you must take active steps to reinstate your licence before you can legally drive again. The reinstatement process varies depending on the reason for the suspension but generally includes the following steps:

1. Complete the Suspension Period

You must wait out the full duration of your suspension, which could range from 30 days to several months depending on the offence—such as demerit points, unpaid fines, impaired driving, or criminal convictions.

2. Pay All Outstanding Fines

If your licence was suspended due to unpaid traffic or court fines, you must pay all outstanding amounts in full before reinstatement.

3. Complete Required Programs

For alcohol- or drug-related suspensions, you may need to complete remedial programs such as the Back on Track program or attend interviews with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO).

4. Pay the Reinstatement Fee

A licence reinstatement fee must be paid to ServiceOntario. As of the latest public information, the standard reinstatement fee is $281, but fees are subject to change. Always verify with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

5. Reapply for Your Licence (If Required)

In some cases—especially after long-term or court-ordered suspensions—you may be required to reapply for your driver’s licence, which could include retaking written, vision, or road tests.

6. Obtain Valid Auto Insurance

You must have valid insurance coverage in place before you resume driving. Suspensions may impact your insurance premiums, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

30-Day Licence Suspension in Ontario

If you’re caught driving while your licence is suspended in Ontario, the consequences can be serious and immediate.

A 30-day suspension is commonly issued for accumulating too many demerit points or certain traffic violations. The reinstatement process for a 30-day suspension is similar to the general steps:

• Wait until the 30-day period ends
• Pay the reinstatement fee
• Provide proof of payment and resolve any outstanding fines or conditions

Failure to follow the correct steps can result in delays or further legal consequences, including driving while under suspension—a serious offence in Ontario.

Penalties for Driving with a Suspended Licence in Ontario

Driving with a suspended licence in Ontario is a serious offence under the Highway Traffic Act and can lead to harsh legal consequences—even for a first-time offender.

If you’re caught driving while your licence is suspended, you may face:

• A minimum fine of $1,000 for a first offence
• Fines between $2,000 and $5,000 for subsequent offences
• An extension of your licence suspension period
• Possible jail time of up to 6 months, depending on the severity of the circumstances
• Vehicle impoundment and increased insurance rates

In some cases, especially where the suspension was related to a criminal conviction (such as impaired driving), the penalties may be more severe and include criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada.

If your licence has been suspended and you’re unsure about your next steps, the criminal defence team at Affordable Defence in Ottawa can help. We’ll review your situation, explain your legal obligations, and guide you through the reinstatement process. Contact us for a free and confidential consultation.