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NWT Class 7 overview

NWT Class 7: Impaired and distracted driving

Zero BAC for new drivers, 50 and 80 mg limits, administrative suspensions, Criminal Code disqualifications, ignition interlock, drugs and distracted-driving penalties.

  • 20 questions
  • Topic drill
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Impaired and distracted driving · Question 1Score 0/0

A first-time offender's impaired driving causes a death. What is the minimum licence suspension?

Study reference: NWT Driver's Manual (rev. August 2022), Ch. 9 Driving Within the Law — Impaired driving, Ignition interlock, Distracted driving, Administrative licence suspensions, pp. 138–147

All 20 questions in this test

Every question and its answer choices. The correct answers and explanations appear when you take the test above.

  1. A first-time offender's impaired driving causes a death. What is the minimum licence suspension?

    1. Three years
    2. One year
    3. Exactly ten years, then it ends
    4. Indefinite, at least five years

  2. What is the base fine for using a cellphone while driving in the NWT?

    1. $172
    2. $1,000
    3. $322
    4. $500

  3. A fully licensed NWT driver has a BAC over 50 mg per 100 mL but under 80 mg. What does the manual say?

    1. They get a warning only
    2. Nothing, it is under the limit
    3. They face Criminal Code charges only
    4. They may face charges

  4. A driver is convicted of impaired driving under the Criminal Code. What is the shortest driving prohibition?

    1. Two years
    2. One year
    3. Six months
    4. Three months

  5. You have started a new prescription medicine. What should you do before driving?

    1. Learn how it affects you; ask your doctor or pharmacist
    2. Take a double dose to be safe
    3. Drive normally, since prescribed drugs are legal to use
    4. Drink coffee to stay alert

  6. What can happen if you drive while under an administrative licence suspension?

    1. 5 demerits and a 30-day vehicle seizure
    2. 3 demerits and a warning
    3. A 7-day vehicle seizure and no demerits
    4. A $100 fine only

  7. Does a GDL driver charged with an alcohol offence get the 7-day temporary permit?

    1. Only if they need to drive for work
    2. Yes, every driver charged gets it
    3. Yes, but it lasts only 3 days
    4. No, it does not apply to GDL drivers

  8. You are caught texting while driving through a school zone. What is the fine?

    1. $644
    2. $966
    3. $1,288
    4. $322

  9. Which action counts as using a restricted electronic device?

    1. Phone stored in a closed glovebox
    2. Holding your phone, even without talking
    3. Phone left at home
    4. Phone switched off in a bag

  10. A driver is convicted of impaired driving a second time within 10 years. How long are they disqualified under the MVA?

    1. Three years
    2. One year
    3. Ten years
    4. Five years

  11. A court gives a 3-month driving prohibition and the NWT suspension is one year. How long is left after the court prohibition ends?

    1. One year
    2. Nine months
    3. Three months
    4. None

  12. A fully licensed NWT driver refuses a breath demand. What happens before the 90-day suspension starts?

    1. They may keep driving until court
    2. They get a 7-day temporary permit
    3. They get a 30-day temporary permit
    4. Nothing; it starts immediately

  13. How many demerit points does a distracted driving conviction carry in the NWT?

    1. 3
    2. 2
    3. 6
    4. 4

  14. An interlock reads 32 mg per 100 mL. What happens?

    1. A fail is recorded and the vehicle won't start
    2. The device asks for a retest only
    3. The vehicle starts normally
    4. The vehicle starts, but a warning gets recorded

  15. A driver is charged with having a BAC over .08. What happens to their licence under NWT law?

    1. An automatic 90-day suspension
    2. A 24-hour suspension
    3. Nothing until convicted
    4. An automatic 30-day suspension

  16. With an ignition interlock, what BAC reading lets the vehicle start with no violation?

    1. Below 50 mg per 100 mL
    2. Below 80 mg per 100 mL
    3. Below 20 mg per 100 mL
    4. Below 30 mg per 100 mL

  17. What is the legal blood alcohol limit for a Class 7 learner in the NWT?

    1. Under 20 mg per 100 mL
    2. Under 50 mg per 100 mL
    3. Zero
    4. Under 80 mg per 100 mL

  18. A 21-year-old with a full Class 5 licence has one beer and drives. What happens if police find alcohol in their system?

    1. Nothing; the limit is 50 mg
    2. A warning letter only
    3. An automatic 30-day suspension
    4. A 7-day temporary permit

  19. What is the disqualification for a third impaired driving conviction within 10 years?

    1. Three years
    2. Five years
    3. Ten years
    4. Life

  20. Your friend has been drinking and says coffee will sober them up. Is that true?

    1. Yes, if they also eat
    2. Yes, with cold water too
    3. No, only time works
    4. Yes, after two cups

Impaired and distracted driving: key rules to remember

Our summary of what the official handbook says on this topic, in our own words. Read it before or after the practice questions above, then check the original chapter. Read the official chapter ↗

Impaired driving law (Ch. 9)

  • Illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol.
  • Novice drivers (Class 7 and Class 5P): BAC may not exceed zero.
  • Fully licensed drivers: over 50 mg of alcohol per 100 mL of blood may face charges; over 80 mg may face additional Criminal Code charges.
  • Administrative Licence Suspension (ALS): a suspension for impaired drivers, administered by police (municipal or RCMP) on behalf of the Registrar.
  • Criminal Code conviction: NWT licence suspended and prohibited from driving at least one year; possible fine. Criminal Code convictions stay on your record at least 10 years and may affect travel.
  • Driving while under ALS, disqualified or prohibited: 5 demerit points, 30-day vehicle seizure, MVA or Criminal Code charges with fines of at least $345.

Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program

  • People convicted of impaired driving may apply for early return of driving privileges with an approved interlock installed.
  • Breath sample before starting. Pass: under 20 mg/100 mL — vehicle starts. Warn: 20–29 mg — starts, warn violation recorded. Fail: 30 mg or more — fail violation, vehicle will not start.

Drugs and alcohol

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medications can impair (drowsiness, dizziness, poorer motor or judgment skills); ask your doctor/pharmacist about new medications. Never mix drugs and alcohol.
  • Drug classes listed: alcohol, sedatives, major tranquilizers, antidepressants, narcotics, hallucinogens (including marijuana), stimulants.
  • GDL condition: no alcohol in any quantity before driving; violators lose their driving privilege.
  • Impaired driving also likely raises insurance costs; insurers may refuse coverage.
  • Coffee does not sober you up; only time works. Plan ahead: designated driver (doesn't drink), taxi/bus, stay overnight, call someone.
  • Alcohol gives false confidence and slows thinking and reaction time; no one drives better after drinking.
  • Criminal Code offences listed: impaired regardless of BAC; over 80 mg; drug concentration over the limit; refusing a breath/blood sample; impaired causing bodily harm; causing death; driving while suspended/disqualified.

Distracted driving

  • Restricted electronic devices: cellphones, devices sending/receiving data, audio/video players, handheld GPS. "Use" includes holding, operating or touching.
  • Penalty: $322 fine ($644 in school and construction zones), 3 demerit points, and administrative suspensions for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th offences within two years.

NWT Administrative Licence Suspensions

  • Alcohol-related charge = automatic suspension; no conviction needed.
  • Charged with over .08 or refusing a breath/blood demand: automatic 90-day suspension, in addition to any court prohibition.
  • Valid NWT licence holders (not GDL, not already suspended) get a 7-day temporary permit before the 90 days start.
  • Zero tolerance: drivers under GDL or under age 22 may not drive after consuming any alcohol; violators are automatically suspended for 30 days.
  • NWT suspension runs at the same time as a court prohibition (example: 3-month court prohibition + 1-year NWT suspension = 9 months still left after the court period ends).

MVA disqualifications after Criminal Code s. 320.14/320.15 convictions

  • First, no prior in 10 years: 1 year. Second within 10 years: 3 years. Third within 10 years: 5 years. Four or more within 10 years: indefinite, not less than 5 years.
  • If a death results: indefinite, not less than 5 years, even for a first offence.

Driving while suspended; reinstatement after impaired

  • Caught driving while suspended: jail is common, large fine, vehicle seized and impounded 30 days (owner pays towing and impound), whether or not you own it.
  • Notice of Suspension mailed to last recorded address; suspension stays until all conditions met, even if you leave the NWT.
  • Typical impaired-driving conditions: driver assessment, driver improvement program, alcohol dependency awareness program and assessment, alcohol treatment program, reinstatement fee.

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