You’re out with friends, having a few drinks, and decide to hop on an electric scooter for a quick ride home. 

It seems harmless, right? Wrong. Many people don’t realize that you can actually get a DUI on an electric scooter, and it is not just a question—it’s a serious legal reality in Canada. 

That “fun” ride could land you with criminal charges, massive fines, and even jail time. Police treat drunk e-scooter riding exactly like drunk driving a car. Same laws. Same penalties. Same criminal record that follows you for life.

Let’s break down everything you need to know to stay safe and legal.

Why E-Scooters Fall Under DUI Laws

Electric scooters count as vehicles under Canadian law. Specifically, they are referred to as “conveyances” in the Criminal Code.

What makes something a conveyance? Any vehicle that moves by something other than muscle power alone. Since e-scooters use electric motors, they fit this definition perfectly. This means that all impaired driving laws apply to e-scooters just as they do to cars, trucks, and motorcycles. No exceptions.

A Real Case That Changed Everything

In 2020, a Toronto man learned this lesson the hard way. 

While riding a Bird scooter drunk, he knocked down a 64-year-old pedestrian. His blood alcohol level? Three times over the legal limit. The consequences were severe: 36 months of probation, $550 in fines, a required DUI program, and restitution payments to the victim.

This case sent a clear message across Canada: Ride drunk, face serious legal trouble.

What Substances Can Get You Charged while riding?

Canadian law prohibits riding e-scooters while impaired by several substances. Here’s what you need to know:

Alcohol: A blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher means automatic criminal charges. However, police can charge you at any level if you show signs of impairment.

Cannabis (THC): Between 2-5 nanograms in your blood leads to summary charges. Five nanograms or more means hybrid offences with harsher penalties. Even mixing small amounts of THC (2.5 nanograms) with alcohol (50mg per 100ml) can get you charged.

Other drugs: Any trace of cocaine, meth, LSD, magic mushrooms, PCP, heroin, or ketamine in your system can result in charges. 

Even legal prescription drugs or CBD products can cause problems if they impair your riding. For riders under 21, Canada enforces zero-tolerance rules. This means any detectable amount of alcohol or drugs triggers immediate penalties.

What Happens When Police Stop You While riding your “E-Scooter”?

Police have full authority to stop e-scooter riders they suspect are impaired. The process works just like a car DUI stop.

First, officers conduct roadside sobriety tests. They’ll ask you to blow into a breath screening device.
If you fail, things happen fast: an immediate 90-day driving ban, a 30-day scooter impound, and transport to the station for detailed testing.

Recent cases prove police actively enforce these laws.
In June 2025, Kelowna RCMP arrested an e-scooter rider weaving on a sidewalk without a helmet. Similarly, Waterloo Regional Police charged two e-scooter riders with impaired driving during a university homecoming event.

The Penalties Are No Joke

E-scooter DUI penalties match car DUI penalties exactly.

  • First offence: Minimum $1,000 fine, possible jail time up to 10 years, and at least one year without a license.
  • Second offence: Mandatory 30 days in jail, plus higher fines and longer license suspensions.
  • Third offence: Minimum 120 days in jail, with escalating consequences.

Beyond criminal penalties, you will also face provincial punishments. These include license suspensions, mandatory alcohol education classes, ignition interlock devices, and reinstatement fees ranging from $180 to $500.

The worst part? A long DUI conviction on your driving record affects job opportunities, travel plans, and your future. The total financial damage often exceeds $10,000 when you add legal fees, higher insurance rates, lost wages, and court costs. Your ability to enter the United States and other countries from Canada may be permanently blocked.

Rules Vary By Province

While Criminal Code laws apply everywhere in Canada, each province handles enforcement differently.

Ontario runs a pilot program that allows cities to create their own e-scooter rules. Ottawa allows them with restrictions. Toronto bans them completely on public roads.

British Columbia requires 30-day vehicle impounds. Quebec imposes suspensions ranging from 24 to 90 days based on an individual’s offence history. This means that identical offences can result in different administrative penalties depending on your location. 

However, criminal charges stay the same nationwide.

How to Stay Safe and Legal

The solution is simple: Never ride an e-scooter after drinking or using drugs. Period.

Plan your transportation before you start drinking. Use Uber or Lyft. Take public transit. Walk home. Ask a sober friend for a ride. Even riding a horse while Impaired can get you a DUI.

Many e-scooter sharing companies now include safety features, such as mandatory sobriety tests after 11 PM and geofencing to block access in high-risk areas.
These measures matter. E-scooter hospitalizations jumped 22% in Canada from 2022-23 to 2023-24, with impaired riding contributing to many injuries.

The Bottom Line

Canadian law treats e-scooter DUIs exactly like car DUIs. Same criminal penalties. Same administrative sanctions. Same life-changing consequences.
Don’t gamble with your safety, freedom, and future. If you’ve been drinking, leave the e-scooter behind. No ride is worth a criminal record, thousands in fines, or the risk of hurting yourself or others. 

Make the smart choice every time—ride sober or don’t ride at all.