Impaired-driving law combines federal Criminal Code offences with provincial driver-licensing and vehicle consequences. The criminal and administrative tracks are related but legally distinct, so a charge, licence suspension and later court outcome should not be treated as the same decision.
Primary legislation and official process sources checked October 5, 2026. Criminal law and court procedure can change; verify the current source before relying on a provision or deadline.
Roadside investigation
Police may use lawful roadside powers, observations and approved screening equipment to investigate alcohol or drug impairment.
- traffic stop
- approved screening device
- field sobriety or drug evaluation
Criminal offences
Section 320.14 includes operating while impaired and prohibited blood-alcohol or blood-drug concentration offences within the statutory time window.
- impairment by alcohol
- 80 mg or more within two hours
- drug concentration offences
Failure or refusal
Section 320.15 creates separate offences for failing or refusing, without reasonable excuse, to comply with specified demands.
- screening demand
- evidentiary demand
- reasonable excuse
Provincial licence consequences
Nova Scotia can impose immediate or administrative driver-licensing consequences independently of the criminal prosecution.
- roadside suspension
- 90-day suspension after charge
- reinstatement requirements
Court and sentencing
A criminal charge proceeds through the ordinary criminal process, with offence-specific sentencing and driving-prohibition consequences if guilt is established.
- first appearance
- disclosure
- prohibition and sentence
Official and authoritative sources
- Justice Canada — Criminal Code
- Nova Scotia Legal Aid — Criminal Law Resources
- Nova Scotia — Impaired Driving Information