Boating can be a fun activity to enjoy during the warm summer months with the whole family. But if you are not careful, a boating violation ticket can dampen the fun, and could potentially affect your driving record, depending on the infraction.
Typically, a boating violation does not affect your driving record, as long as there is no alcohol involved. If you are charged with boating under the influence, and your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is between 0.05 to 0.08 mg/l you may face immediate suspension of your driver’s licence. In Ontario, if it is your first offence, your driver’s license will be suspended for 3 days, and you will have to pay $150 fine. If you repeat the offence within 5 years of the first infraction, your driver’s licence will be suspended for 7 days, you will have to pay $150 fine, and go through a mandatory alcohol treatment program.
Here is a summary of possible consequences of boating under the influence:
First Time
- 3-day driver’s licence suspension
- $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty
Second Time (within 5 years)
- 7-day driver’s licence suspension
- Mandatory alcohol treatment program
- $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty
Third Time (within 5 years)
- 30-day driver’s licence suspension
- Mandatory alcohol treatment program
- Six-month ignition interlock licence condition
- $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty
Subsequent infractions (within 5 years)
- 30-day driver’s licence suspension
- Mandatory alcohol treatment program
- Six-month ignition interlock licence condition
- Mandatory medical evaluation
- $150 Administrative Monetary Penalty
These sanctions apply to anyone who is caught drinking and operating motorized and non-motorized vessels (i.e. power boats, canoes, kayaks, personal watercraft, sailboats, dinghies and other inflatable boats and rafts). To ensure that your experience is enjoyable, reduce your risk and don’t drink and boat.
Source: Ministry of Transportation
