Does a DUI Show Up on Your Passport?

A Driving Under the Influence (DUI) conviction can heavily impact different aspects of your life. You will be charged with a DUI when a police officer finds you operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The amount of influence can change depending on your country or state. Canada is very serious about DUI convictions and has rigid laws for this offence. This raises the question, does a DUI show up on your passport?

Well, no, a DUI does not show up on your passport. However, some major consequences can change your way of life. In this blog, we will talk about DUI and its impact on your passport or international travel.

DUI charge is caused by driving a motor vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol. It is a serious offence in Canada and is considered a criminal act. The Criminal Code of Canada prohibits any individual from operating any motor vehicle while impaired to any degree by drug, alcohol, or both combined.

You may suffer serious consequences for a DUI conviction. The penalty can go from a mandatory minimum fine and can end up with lifetime imprisonment. Of course, the penalty depends on the severity of the offence.

A passport is a document that is provided to citizens by the government. It is a legal document of your identity and citizenship while travelling in other countries. There is no mention of any criminal records, including DUI, in your passport. However, you might face some issues, such as:

Some countries may ask for your criminal records when you apply for a visa. In that case, you must provide your criminal records, including DUI charges. Depending on your destination, a DUI conviction can result in the rejection of your visa application. Especially in Canada, one may be considered inadmissible due to a DUI conviction.

In some cases, a DUI can result in restrictions placed by your country. In that case, you must get permission from the relevant authority to travel abroad.

The IDP is a document that enables you to drive in other countries. A DUI conviction can make the process very difficult. There is a possibility of not getting an IDP in some countries due to a DUI charge. Also, they may impose some conditions and restrictions on what kind of vehicle you can drive.

Driving under the influence or impaired driving is a major cause of death and injury in Canada. In 2023, 49 people died from alcohol or drug-related crashes, and nearly 400 people were killed in motor vehicle collisions in Ontario. Also, the numbers are significantly increasing every year.

In Canada, you are impaired to any degree by drugs, alcohol, or both while driving, which is a criminal offence. There is a limit to some of the drugs and alcohol. Having the rest in your system while driving is completely prohibited.

1. Alcohol: In the case of alcohol, the limit of BAC (Blood-Alcohol Concentration) is 80 mg or more per 100 ml of blood.
2. Cannabis: On the other hand, the cannabis (THC) limit is considered less serious if it is between 2-5 ng per ml of blood. It gets serious if the number is 5 or higher.
3. Alcohol and Cannabis combined: If alcohol and cannabis are combined, there can not be more than 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood and 2.5 ng or more of THC per ml of blood.
4. Other Drugs:  It is against the law to have any amount of LSD, magic mushrooms, ketamine, cocaine, or any other drug that can be found.

Depending on the situation, the investigation method can change. Here are some common techniques used by the police:

The police can demand a breath sample to test the alcohol level from any lawfully stopped driver. The police do not need any reasonable suspicion that the driver has alcohol in their body; it’s a mandatory test.

This method is used to detect the presence of some drugs, such as THC. The devices used in the process are fast and precise. The police can demand an oral fluid sample if they have reasonable suspicion. The suspicion can develop from some physical facts, such as agitation, muscle tremors, abnormal speech patterns, or red eyes. If the result of this test is positive, they can go further and ask for a blood sample.

There are also some other methods which the police can use. They can ask for an SFST (Standard Field Sobriety) test or a DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) evaluation.

Although a DUI charge does not show in your passport, it impacts your international travels. It will reduce your chances of entering some countries and change your personal life. It is better to understand and obey the driving rules of your country.

Also, you must research the requirements of entering your desired country and prepare the necessary documents. As a result, it will enhance your travel experiences and enable you to explore your desired country. Therefore, drive safely and obey the driving rules of your country.

BAC or Blood Alcohol Concentration is a process to determine a person’s degree of impairment from alcohol or drugs. This is a measurement used by the police to check if the driver’s alcohol level is under the limit or not. If the alcohol level crosses the limit (0.8%), the driver will be charged with a DUI.

Well, it depends on the country. DUI is considered a criminal offence in Canada and will be listed in your criminal records.

DUI is highly time-sensitive and needs urgent action. First, you should find a lawyer as soon as possible who can ask for a hearing immediately. A proper lawyer can reduce your penalty and provide a convincing solution.

Of course. The police will suspend your driving license on the spot. Depending on the degree of offence, they can revoke your license even for a lifetime.

Yes, it is possible to erase it from the records in most cases. You can hire a lawyer to do it after the probation period of the charge is over.