Saskatchewan deals with impaired driving on two levels. The province, through SGI and The Traffic Safety Act, imposes roadside licence suspensions, vehicle impoundment, education programs and ignition interlock. The federal Criminal Code sets the criminal offences of impaired driving, over 80 and refusal, which go to court.
Saskatchewan’s .04 limit
The criminal limit in Canada is a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 80 mg per 100 mL, often called .08. Saskatchewan sets a lower provincial limit: experienced drivers with a BAC of .04 to .08, or who are affected by drugs, face provincial sanctions even without a criminal charge.
Experienced drivers (.04 to .08, or drugs)
These rules apply to drivers aged 22 or older who are not in the Graduated Driver Licensing program and hold a Class 5 licence or higher.
| First | Second | Third or more | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roadside licence suspension | 3 days | 21 days | 90 days |
| Vehicle impoundment | 3 days | 7 days | 14 days |
| Required program | Driving Without Impairment (DWI) | Alcohol and Drug Education (ADE) | Addictions assessment |
| Ignition interlock | — | — | 365 days (mandatory) |
| Safe Driver Recognition | −4 points | −4 points | −4 points |
New drivers and drugs: zero tolerance
New drivers must have no alcohol in their system, and all drivers must have no drugs. The penalties are much tougher, starting with a 60-day suspension. See zero tolerance for new drivers and drugs.
Criminal impaired driving charges
If police charge you with a Criminal Code impaired driving offence, your licence is suspended immediately and indefinitely until the charge is resolved in court, and your vehicle is impounded. If the charge is alcohol-related and you have served at least 90 days of the suspension, you may be able to get your licence back early by voluntarily installing an ignition interlock. See Saskatchewan impaired driving criminal charges.
Changes on the way
In June 2026 the province proposed administrative penalties for drivers over .08 as an alternative to criminal charges. These changes are not yet law. Read what the proposed changes would mean.
Get advice early
The suspension and impoundment start at the roadside, before any court date. A Saskatchewan impaired driving lawyer can explain how the provincial sanctions and any criminal charge fit together. See also Saskatchewan DUI penalties.
Frequently asked questions
The criminal limit is a BAC of 80 mg per 100 mL (.08), but Saskatchewan imposes provincial sanctions on experienced drivers from .04 to .08 and on any driver affected by drugs.
For an experienced driver: a 3-day roadside licence suspension, a 3-day vehicle impoundment, the Driving Without Impairment program and a 4-point Safe Driver Recognition penalty.
The suspension is immediate and lasts until the charge is resolved in court. Early reinstatement with a voluntary ignition interlock may be possible after 90 days for alcohol-related charges.
Yes. Saskatchewan has zero tolerance for drugs for all drivers, and zero tolerance for alcohol for new drivers.
Find a Saskatchewan impaired driving lawyer →
This article is general information about Saskatchewan and Canadian impaired driving law as of October 2026. It is not legal advice. Penalties and procedures can change, and Saskatchewan has proposed changes that are not yet law. Speak with a lawyer about your situation.
Sources: SGI, Saskatchewan Driver’s Handbook: The Traffic Safety Act; Government of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan Moving Towards Swifter, More Effective Penalties for Impaired Driving (June 29, 2026); Department of Justice Canada, Impaired driving laws.
