15 - Drugs, alcohol and driving - CCMTA Medical Standards
Last updated on July 25, 2022Drugs, alcohol and driving.
- 15.6.1 Medication – Prescribed - All Drivers
- 15.6.2 Medication – Non Prescribed (Over the Counter) – All drivers
- 15.6.3 Substance Use Disorder - All drivers
- 15.6.4 Alcohol, Cannabis and Driving – All drivers
15.1 About drugs, alcohol and driving
It is increasingly clear that psychotropic (capable of affecting the mind, emotions or behaviour) drugs contribute to impairment in driving performance. It has been estimated that at least 10% of all people killed or injured in crashes were taking psychotropic medication, which might have been a contributory factor to the crash.
A 2011 study, drug use by fatally injured drivers in Canada (2000-2008) by the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse in Ottawa approximately 35% of people killed in accidents in Canada had drugs (includes legal and illicit drugs) in their system.
This chapter focuses on drugs that are commonly prescribed or used to treat medical conditions, and that are known to have psychotropic effects or potential side effects that could impair functional ability to drive. While alcohol is not used to treat medical conditions, information related to alcohol and driving is included. Illicit drugs are not considered in this chapter.
Opioids (narcotics)
Opioids are derived from natural opium or a synthetically produced equivalent and are used primarily for moderate to severe pain relief. Opioid drugs include the following:
- Codeine
- Fentanyl [Duragesic®]
- Morphine [MS-Contin®, M-Eslon®]
- Meperidine [Demerol®]
- Methadone
- Pentazocine [Talwin®]
- Hydromorphone [Dilaudid®, Hydromorph Contin®]
- Oxycodone [Percodan®, Percocet®, Endocet®, Supeudol®, Oxy Neo®], and
- Hydrocodone [Hycodan®]
Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant drug that has both sedative and disinhibitory effects. It also impairs a driver’s judgement, reflex control and behaviour towards others. According to the CMA Physicians Guide (8th Edition) and The Chief Public Health Officer’s Report on the State of Public Health in Canada 2015 – Alcohol Consumption in Canada, people who are regular users of alcohol, withdrawal from alcohol may trigger seizures and cause other health problems such as liver disease, cancer, heart disease, and diabetes or neurological complications.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are used in the treatment of major depression and a variety of other conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Classes of antidepressants and examples of drugs from each class are listed in the table below.
| Class | Generic Name | Brand Name |
| Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) | amitriptyline | Elavil® |
| imipramine | Tofranil® | |
| nortriptyline | Aventyl® | |
| desipramine | Norpramin® | |
| clomipramine | Anafranil® | |
| doxepin | Sinequan® | |
| Serotonin antagonist-reuptake inhibitor (SARIs) | trazadone | Desyrel® |
| Class | Generic Name | Brand Name |
| Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) | fluoxetine | Prozac® |
| fluvoxamine | Luvox® | |
| sertraline | Zoloft® | |
| citalopram | Celexa® | |
| paroxetine | Paxil® | |
| Dual action agents (DAAs) | venlafaxine | Effexor® |
| Atypical Antidepressants | bupropion | Zyban®, Wellbutrin SR® |
| Monoamine oxidase inhibitors | phenelzine | Nardil® |
| moclobemide | Various generics | |
| tranylcypromine | Parnate® |
Antiepileptics
The following are 8 major categories of drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy and other conditions such as mood disorders or pain, in approximate order of the date they were introduced:
- Barbiturates and derivatives (phenobarbital)
- Succinimide derivatives (methsuximide [Celontin®])
- Hydantoin derivatives (phenytoin [Dilantin®])
- Iminostilbene derivatives (carbamazepine [Tegretol®])
- Benzodiazepines (clonazepam [Clonapam®])
- Carboxylic acid derivatives (divalproex sodium [Epival®], valproic acid [Depakene®])
- Various anticonvulsants (lamotrigine [Lamictal®], topiramate [Topamax®])
- GABA derivatives (gabapentin [Neurontin®]).
Antihistamines
Antihistamines inhibit the activity of histamine, a protein involved in many allergic reactions. They are commonly prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of allergic reactions.
Examples of older antihistamines include:
- Chlorpheniramine [Chlortripolon®]
- Diphenhydramine [Benadryl®].
Examples of newer antihistamines include:
- Loratadine [Claritin®]
- Cetirizine [Reactine®]
- Desloratadine [Aerius®], and
- Fexofenadine [Allegra®].
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are used primarily in the management of serious mental disorders such as Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder and organic psychoses (psychiatric symptoms arising from damage to or disease in the brain). The two major groups of antipsychotics are the “typical” or conventional antipsychotics, introduced in the early 1950s, and the “atypical” antipsychotics, introduced in the early 1990s and later.
Examples of typical antipsychotics include:
- Haloperidol [Haldol®], and
- Chlorpromazine [Largactil®]
- Loxapine [Loxapac®]
- Trifluoperazine [Stelazine®].
Examples of atypical antipsychotics include:
- Clozapine [Clozaril®]
- Risperidone [Risperdal®
- Olanzapine [Zyprexa®]
- Aripiprazole [Abilify®]
- Paliperidone [Invega®]
- Quetiapine [Seroquel®], and
- Ziprasidone [Zeldox®].
Cannabis
Cannabis, also called marijuana, can be used for medical reasons in Canada since the courts require reasonable access to a legal source of the drug when a patient is prescribed it by a physician (marijuana is also used illegally for recreational and other uses). Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the principle psychoactive constituent in cannabis, and its effects on people are dependent on many factors just as is the case with other drugs. Numerous roadside surveys consistently reveal that cannabis is the most common drug (other than alcohol) found in the systems of Canadian drivers. Although what proportions of these drivers have cannabis in their systems legally and illegally is not known.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used for pain relief, the reduction of fever, and to reduce inflammation. Examples of NSAIDs include:
- Acetylsalicylic acid [Aspirin®, Entrophen®]
- Aclofenac [Voltaren®]
- Ibuprofen [Motrin®]
- Naproxen [Anaprox®, Aleve®, Naprosyn®]
- Celecoxib [Celebrex®], and
- Indomethacin [Indocid®]
NSAIDs often are used in the treatment of mild to moderate pain, inflammation and fever in both acute and chronic conditions, such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Gout
- Metastatic bone pain
- Headaches and migraines, and
- Mild to moderate pain due to inflammation and tissue injury (e.g. pain associated with tooth extraction, root canal, sports injuries, etc.)
- Menstrual pain
Sedatives and hypnotics
Sedative and hypnotic drugs are central nervous system depressants. They are used to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal, as muscle relaxants, and as anticonvulsants. The major categories are barbiturates, benzodiazepines and a new class of non- benzodiazepine sedatives called Z drugs.
Benzodiazepines can be divided into short acting, (those with a short half-life of 2 to 4 hours), which generally are used to treat insomnia, intermediate acting (those with half-life of 12-24 hours) and long-acting (those with a long half-life of >24 hours), which are used to treat anxiety.
Categories of sedatives and hypnotics and examples of drugs in each category are provided in the table below.
| Category | Generic Name | Brand Name |
| Barbiturates | phenobarbital | Various generics |
| Benzodiazepines with a short half-life | triazolam | Halcion® |
| alprazolam | Xanax® | |
| oxazepam | Serax® | |
| Benzodiazepines with a medium half-life | lorazepam | Ativan® |
| temazepam | Restoril® | |
| chloridazepoxide | Librium® | |
| Benzodiazepines with a long half-life | clonazepam | Rivotril® |
| diazepam | Valium® | |
| clorazepate | Tranxene® | |
| flurazepam | Dalmane® | |
| Z drugs (non-benzodiazepines) | zopiclone | Imovane® |
| zolpidem | Sublinox® |
Stimulants (for ADHD, Narcolepsy)
Examples of stimulants used in the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Narcolepsy include:
- Methylphenidate [Ritalin®, Concerta®, Biphentin®)]
- Modafinil [Alertec®]
- Dextroamphetamine [Dexedrine®], and
- Mixed amphetamine salts [Adderall®].
15.2 Prevalence
Opioids
No data are available on the use of opioids as a treatment for medical conditions in Canada.
Alcohol
In Canada, alcohol is the most widely consumed psychoactive drug except for caffeine. In 2013, an estimated 22 million Canadians, almost 80% of the population, reported that they drank alcohol in the previous year.
According to the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Road Safety Monitor 2014 Drinking and Driving in Canada almost 18% of Canadians reporting drinking heavily on one occasion at least once a month in the previous year. Heavy drinking is defined as drinking 5 drinks or more for men and 4 drinks or more for women.
In 2015, 17.4% of Canadians admitted to driving after consuming any amount of alcohol in the past 30 days, and 6.6% indicated they had driven when they thought they were over the legal limit in the past 12 months.
Antidepressants
The most commonly used classes of antidepressants are SSRIs, dual action agents and tricyclics. Research from 2002 showed that SSRIs had a 46.3% market share, dual action agents had 23.9% and tricyclics had 23.7%. The least commonly used class was monoamine oxidase inhibitors, with a 2.1% market share.
Between 1981 and 2000, total prescriptions for antidepressants increased almost five fold, from 3.2 to 14.5 million. The 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey indicated that 5.8% of Canadians were taking antidepressants. Of those who had a major depressive episode in the past year, 40.4% were taking antidepressants.
Antiepileptics
No data on the prevalence of antiepileptic drug use in Canada is available. Epilepsy itself has a prevalence rate of 0.6% in the Canadian population. The incidence of epilepsy is 15,500 new cases per year, with 60% of these being young children or seniors. Because of the variability of the presentation of epilepsy among those diagnosed, and the use of antiepileptic drugs for conditions other than epilepsy, it is difficult to extrapolate the prevalence of anticonvulsant drug use based on the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy.
Antihistamines
The general use of antihistamines is difficult to ascertain. However, it has been estimated that allergic conditions that may be treated with antihistamines affect 10% to 25% of the population.
Antipsychotics
Prevalence statistics on the use of antipsychotics in Canada using population based surveys are complicated by low prevalence and questionable validity.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
NSAIDs are among the most commonly used pharmacological agents, with 10 million prescriptions dispensed annually in Canada. The use of NSAIDs is predicted to increase with the aging population due to the association between age and musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Cannabis
The most recent statistics published by Health Canada for 2012 reveal that about 28,000 Canadians had received authorisation to use marijuana. Estimates for December 2013 claim 38,000 authorisations had been granted.
There are no statistics available for the use of the other forms of cannabis derivatives.
Sedatives and hypnotics
Data from the 2002 Canadian Community Health Survey indicated that the percentage of those who had used a sedative or hypnotic increased with age, moving from 3.1% of the general population 15 years and older, to 11.1% of those 75 and older. Overall, 7.2% of those with anxiety disorders had taken a sedative-hypnotic over the two days preceding the survey.
Benzodiazepine use made up most of the sedative-hypnotic use in all analyzed demographic and diagnostic groups. Information from this survey and other studies indicate that benzodiazepines are one of the most frequently used classes of drugs by seniors and women.
Stimulants
No data is available on the prevalence or incidence of the use of stimulants as a treatment for ADHD in Canada. An indication of the use of stimulants for ADHD may be gleaned from the prevalence of the condition itself. Research indicates that ADHD affects between 3% and 10% of children and between 4% and 6% of adults. Of adolescents and adults with ADHD, 76% achieve a therapeutic response with stimulant medication.
15.3 Drugs, Alcohol and adverse driving outcomes
Opioids
Research indicates that the use of opioids can adversely affect driving performance, with the degree of impairment dependent on the particular opioid used, dosage, previous use and developed tolerance, time of day taken.
Alcohol
Alcohol’s effects are dose dependent and differ among individuals. Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death in Canada. According to Transport Canada total road fatalities in Canada in 2012 were 2,076 and 563 Canadians died in fatal accidents involving alcohol, which is approximately one quarter of all fatalities in motor vehicle accidents in Canada.
Antidepressants
Currently, there is little evidence to associate SSRIs or dual action agents with impaired driving performance. Although limited, research indicates that the use of tricyclic antidepressants is associated with impairments in driving performance. This is evidenced by elevated crash rates, as well as measures of on-road performance and laboratory tests of psychomotor and cognitive functioning.
Antiepileptics
In general, individuals with epilepsy have an increased risk for adverse driving outcomes, which may be caused by either the episodic impairment (seizures) or persistent impairments caused by the condition or treatment.
Antihistamines
Research indicates that the use of older antihistamines may impair driving performance. However, newer antihistamines used in therapeutic doses do not appear to increase the risk of adverse driving outcomes. Many classes of drugs may be used to treat epilepsy as well as combinations of drugs. Driving outcomes would depend on which medications are used in the treatment.
Antipsychotics
Studies examining the driving performance of individuals treated with antipsychotics (primarily those with Schizophrenia) indicate that those treated with atypical antipsychotics perform better than those treated with typical antipsychotics. However, less than 33% of those on atypical antipsychotics and 5% to 11% of those on typical antipsychotics were found to have adequate driving performance. It should be noted that these results are based on functional tests conducted in a laboratory setting, and the relationship of these results to actual driving performance has not been established.
Further, it is difficult to determine the relative impact of the underlying condition and antipsychotic treatment on driving performance.
Cannabis
A meta-analysis completed by Elvik found that cannabis elevated the relative risk of crashing to 1.3, a rather modest amount and about the same as the case of antidepressants according to the study*. A Canadian systematic review led by Asbridge found that cannabis use elevated the relative risk of a crash to 1.92*. Similarly, the first US large-scale case control study found less evidence of a marijuana crash risk problem and when adjusted for demographic variables like age, gender and ethnicity, the relative crash risk associated with marijuana fell to just 1.05*. (These numbers contrast with alcohol where relative risk ratios of around 2 may be associated with Blood-Alcohol Concentration (BAC) levels even below .05, and as BAC levels rise the relative risk of crashing escalates into the hundreds or even thousands). These marijuana crash risk studies reflect both the drivers who legally and illegally used cannabis and the results of each are therefore potentially impacted by confounding demographic variables including that many of the drivers were young and male and therefore have an inherently higher crash rate already.
In summary, caution should be exercised as cannabis use remains associated with a modestly higher crash risk and is known to impair psychomotor skills and abilities related to divided attention, lane tracking and cognitive functions.
Some users of medical cannabis exceed the average usage rate of 1.5 grams (or 3 joints) per day. Drivers using cannabis in quantities exceeding this should be counselled to not drive during such periods. In addition, any person prescribed medical cannabis for the first time should be counselled to not drive until the effect of the drug on the person has been established by a monitoring physician.
(* R. Elvik (2013), Risk of road accident associated with the use of drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence from epidemiological studies, Accident Analysis and Prevention,60, 254-67)
(*M. Asbridge, J.A. Hayden, & J.L. Cartwright (2012), Acute cannabis consumption and motor vehicle collision risk: Systematic review of observational studies and meta-analysis, British Medical Journal Open Access 344, e536. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277079/)
(*R. Compton & A. Berning (February 2015), Drug and Alcohol Crash Risk, Traffic Safety Facts, Research Note, DOT HS 812 117 (Washington, DC, US DOT/NHTSA), Retrieved http://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/2015/nhtsareleases-2-impaired-driving-studies-02-2015
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
There is only a small body of literature related to the effects of NSAIDs on driving performance. These limited studies however indicate that the use of NSAIDs is associated with an increased risk of crash in both young and old drivers.
Sedatives and hypnotics
Research indicates that the use of sedatives and hypnotics is associated with a significant risk for adverse driving outcomes.
Stimulants (for ADHD)
There is some indication that pharmacological treatment of ADHD with stimulants may have a positive effect on driving performance. However, research in this area has primarily relied on driving simulators to measure outcomes. A few studies have investigated the relationship between pharmacological treatment of ADHD and on-road performance, but methodological limitations, including small sample size (< 20 in all cases), limit the findings.
15.4 Effect on functional ability to drive
| Condition | Type of driving impairment and assessment approach | Primary functional ability affected | Assessment tools |
| Use of psychotropic drugs | Persistent impairment: Functional assessment | Cognitive |
Medical assessments Functional Assessment |
Authorities should be primarily concerned with the persistent cognitive impairment associated with the effects or side effects of medication used for ongoing treatment of medical conditions. Potential temporary impairments from short term treatment or changes in dosage or type of medication are considered transient impairments for licensing purposes. Where an individual is taking multiple drugs (polypharmacy), authorities must also consider the potential compounding effects. Where relevant, authorities should also consider the potential compounding effect of the use of alcohol or illicit drugs.
Opioids
The use of opioids results in depression of the central nervous system. Possible effects on the functions necessary for driving include:
- Blurred vision
- Poor night vision
- Slowed reaction times
- Sedation
- Tremors
- Muscle rigidity
- Impairment of short term/working memory and attention, and
- Disorientation or hallucinations
The effects of opioids on an individual depend on a number of factors, including the length of use, dosage and propensity for abuse or addiction. Tolerance is an important consideration in that adverse effects may be evident during acute use but diminish as tolerance develops.
Alcohol
Alcohol is a depressant drug which slows down the brain and body. Effects on function necessary for driving may include but are not limited to:
- Reduced reaction times
- Blurred or double vision
- Altered depth perception
- Reduced judgement and insight
- Blunted alertness
- Reduced motor co-ordination
Antidepressants
The effects of antidepressants on cognitive ability vary by therapeutic class. Depression itself may result in cognitive impairment. While the use of antidepressants may improve cognitive function, the side effects may include cognitive impairment, including:
- Impairment of thought processing
- Attention deficits
- Indecisiveness, and
- Impairment of psychomotor function
Therefore, distinguishing between the effects of the disorder and the side effects of antidepressants may be a challenge.
Tricyclic antidepressants
The major side effects of TCAs that may affect driving are anticholinergic effects, such as confusion or blurred vision, and sedating effects. The following table outlines the severity of the sedating effect of common TCAs.
| Sedating Effect | TCAs |
| Low | Desipramine, nortriptyline [Aventyl®], |
| Moderate | imipramine [Tofranil®] |
| High | amitriptyline [Elavil®], doxepin [Sinequan®] |
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors
SSRIs generally have fewer side effects than TCAs. Nonetheless, some studies have shown impairments in both cognitive and psychomotor functioning in individuals using SSRIs.
Dual action antidepressants
Research indicates new DAAs, atypical antidepressants (the most recently introduced class of antidepressants), have fewer side effects than TCAs or SSRIs, but cognitive impairment associated with depression and/or treatment may still be present.
Antiepileptics
Anticonvulsants may impair motor and sensory functions, producing:
- Ataxia (lack of coordination; unsteadiness)
- Nystagmus (uncontrollable rapid eye movement)
- Poor concentration
- Slowed thinking
- Blurring and double vision, and/or
- Tremor
Disruption of normal cognitive function is a frequent and pervasive side effect of anticonvulsant drugs. A variety of cognitive abilities may be affected, including memory, reaction time, executive functioning and problem solving.
The known side effects of first generation anticonvulsant drugs (phenobarbital, phenytoin, benzodiazepines and valproate) include sedation and cognitive dysfunction. Adverse cognitive effects, including impairments in memory and attention, are also evident with the use of more recently introduced anticonvulsant drugs (e.g. topiramate), though these generally have fewer side effects.
Antihistamines
Histamine is involved in many brain functions, including the waking-sleep cycle, attention, memory, learning and excitation. The effects of antihistamines differ depending on their generation. Older antihistamines, such as tripolidine [Actifed®], diphenhydramine [Benadryl®], and clemastine are associated with profound sedation, impaired psychomotor function and blurred vision.
Newer antihistamines, such as:
- Loratadine [Claritin®]
- Cetirizine [Reactine®]
- Fexofenadine [Allegra®], and
- Desloratadine [Aerius®]
are largely free from the sedating effects of the older antihistamines. However, at high doses, significant side effects have been reported, though still less pronounced than those associated with older antihistamines.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers include:
- Propanolol [Inderal®], and
- Atenolol [Tenormin®]
Common side effects of beta-blockers include tiredness, sleep disturbances and dizziness. Less common side effects relevant to driving include impairments in attention, mental flexibility (executive functioning) and memory.
The available evidence indicates that impairments in cognitive functioning can be a side effect of beta-blockers. However, results from the majority of studies indicate that there is little in the way of evidence to indicate that beta-blockers negatively impact cognitive performance in the general population of beta-blocker users.
Cannabis
The euphoric phase induced by THC affects judgement. Additional effects are time distortion, relaxation, exaggeration of sensory experiences and loss of inhibitions. The longer-lasting motor and cognitive effects affect coordination and short-term memory. Physical effects can include flushing and red eyes.
Use of dried cannabis leaves through inhalation or ingestion is known to produce psychoactive effects that may affect driving for up to 24 hours. Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal according to the Criminal Code of Canada and drivers using cannabis in a medical context (medical marijuana) should be advised not to drive for at least five hours, and preferably for at least 24 hours, after use of the substance.
Many users of “medical marijuana” exceed the average usage rates (1.5 grams or 3 joints a day) by considerable margins. Drivers using “medical marijuana” in quantities exceeding the average usage rates should be counselled to avoid driving completely during periods of over-average consumption.
Antipsychotics
Research suggests that atypical antipsychotic drugs may improve cognitive functioning in individuals with Schizophrenia compared to treatment with typical antipsychotics.
Nonetheless, the research indicates that even with atypical antipsychotics, individuals still experience residual cognitive impairments.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
In general, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of NSAIDs result in improvements in functional abilities (e.g. reduction in pain and stiffness in those with osteoarthritis, resulting in increased physical function and improvements in quality of life). However, there is a suggestion that the use of NSAIDs can impair cognitive ability.
Sedatives and hypnotics
The adverse effects of sedatives and hypnotics may include:
- Sedation
- Drowsiness
- Cognitive and psychomotor impairment
- Impaired coordination
- Vertigo
- Dizziness, and
- Blurred or double vision
Impairments are greater with higher dosages and with drugs that have a longer half-life.
Those using sedatives and hypnotics are subject to developing dependency, addiction and increasing tolerance of the effects. Because of this, Health Canada advises that these drugs should only be used for short periods (e.g. less than 2 months for anxiety; 7 to 10 days for insomnia). Nonetheless, research indicates that long term use is not uncommon. Long term adverse effects of benzodiazepine may include cognitive decline, unwanted sedation and impaired coordination.
Stimulants (for ADHD) and Narcolepsy
There is some indication that stimulants may have a positive effect on driving performance. However, the effect of stimulant medication on the functional ability of drivers with ADHD is unclear because of the methodological limitations of research to date.
15.5 Compensation
A driver can’t compensate for the effects of psychotropic drug use.
15.6 Guidelines for assessment
15.6.1 Medication - Prescribed - All drivers
This standard applies to prescribed medication including psychotropic drugs and prescribed medical marijuana
| National Standard |
All drivers eligible for a licence if
|
| BC Guidelines |
|
| Conditions for maintaining licence | None |
| Reassessment |
No re-assessment, other than routine commercial or age-related re-assessment is required, unless:
|
| Information from health care providers |
|
| Rationale | The use of a psychotropic drug does not mean that a driver is ineligible for a licence. Where there is some evidence of a persistent cognitive impairment associated with the stable use of a drug, an individual assessment of the effect of the drug is required to determine licence eligibility |
15.6.2 Medication - Non prescribed (over the counter) - All drivers
| National Standard |
All drivers eligible for a licence if:
|
| BC Guidelines |
|
| Conditions for maintaining licence | None |
| Reassessment |
No re-assessment, other than routine commercial or age-related re-assessment is required, unless:
|
| Information from health care providers |
|
| Rationale | The use of a psychotropic drug does not mean that a driver is ineligible for a licence. Where there is some evidence of a persistent cognitive impairment associated with the stable use of a drug, an individual assessment of the effect of the drug is required to determine licence eligibility |
15.6.3 Substance Use Disorder - All drivers
This applies to all drivers who are under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs such as opioids, cocaine, amphetamines etc.
| National Standard |
All drivers eligible for a licence if:
|
| BC Guidelines |
RoadSafetyBC may find individuals with a diagnosis of Substance Use Disorder fit to drive if:
|
| Conditions for maintaining licence | None |
| Reassessment |
No re-assessment, other than routine commercial or age-related re-assessment is required, unless:
|
| Information from health care providers |
|
| Rationale | These substances are known to potentially impair the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely |
15.6.4 Alcohol, Cannabis and driving - All drivers
| National Standard | Impaired individuals are not permitted to drive any class of motor vehicle |
| BC Guidelines |
|
| Conditions for maintaining licence | None |
| Reassessment |
No re-assessment, other than routine commercial or age-related re-assessment is required, unless:
|
| Information from health care providers |
|
| Rationale |
Alcohol is known to impair the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely Medical Marijuana (Cannabis) is known to impair the ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. In general, individuals should not drive for approximately 5 hours after consuming medical marijuana and not drive at all if consuming 3 or more joints a day |