Can I Go to Canada with a DUI North Dakota?

Americans who have been charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in North Dakota may be ineligible to enter Canada and denied entry at the border. Anyone that has a DUI North Dakota on their record may require a Temporary Resident Permit or Canada Criminal Rehabilitation in order to be permitted entry into the country. A DUI is now a serious crime in Canada that can result in up to ten years in jail, so even a single conviction for driving impaired from a long time ago can result in a US citizen being blocked from entering Canada. Since the state shares a border with Canada, many residents of North Dakota routinely visit Canada for work or vacation. Many oil workers with expertise in the fracking industry must occasionally work north of the border, for example, and people that love to hunt and fish will frequently plan hunting or fishing expeditions to the country.

If you have a North Dakota DUI and plan on visiting Canada, contact us today for a free evaluation.

DUI Laws in North Dakota

North Dakota's DUI laws are found in ND code section 39-08-01.4. A 1st offense D.U.I. in North Dakota is a class B misdemeanor that can result in a $500 - $750 fine, two days incarceration, and an 180-day driver's license suspension. A 2nd offense for drunk driving within seven years could result in ten days in jail and a $1500 fine, and could result in a two-year driving ban if the offender had a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.18 or greater. A 3rd drinking and driving offense in seven years is classified as a Class A misdemeanor and can result in as many as 120 days in prison as well as one year of supervised probation. Any subsequent offenses after this are a Class C felony and can result in more than one year of jail time as well as a $2000 fine.

The state has zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21 and implied consent laws that make refusal to submit to blood, breath, or urine testing a crime. Like all other parts of the United States of America, drugged driving is also illegal here and can make a foreign national inadmissible to Canada and even result in an entrance denial at the Canadian border. Even a reckless driving charge from the State of North Dakota can result in a person being refused entry by Canadian immigration officials. Other misdemeanor and felony criminal charges that can be an issue at the border include possession of a controlled substance (drug possession), domestic violence, and petty theft. Even if an individual had their criminal record sealed, border agents can still see a ND DUI on a visitor's background check. If you have a DUI or DWI arrest or conviction from Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, Williston, Dickinson, Mandan, Jamestown, or any other city or town in ND, it is important to obtain entrance permission before attempting to get into Canada while inadmissible.