Driving under the influence (DUI) in Ontario carries harsh penalties. Besides hefty fines and potential jail time, you must also follow certain steps to get your driver’s licence back.

One key step is the Ignition Interlock Program.

This program is mandatory and aims to prevent repeat offences. It requires an ignition interlock device to be installed in your vehicle. The Ministry of Transportation oversees this process, ensuring that you comply with the Highway Traffic Act.

If you are convicted of a DUI or have three administrative suspensions within a decade, you must join the ignition interlock program.

After completing all conditions of your sentence:

  • Complete “Back on Track” education/treatment program
  • Complete Mandatory Medical Evaluation
  • Pay your fine and any victim fine surcharge
  • Serve any jail time
  • Complete Time Of Licence suspension

Your licence will then be reinstated with an ignition interlock designation. This means you must install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle and are not allowed to drive cars without it until your program term ends.

If you are caught driving without an approved interlock-equipped vehicle, your licence suspension and ignition interlock term will be extended.

Minimum Program Lengths

  • First-time impaired driving offenders: Minimum one year
  • Second-time DUI offenders: Minimum three years
  • Third-time offenders after a minimum 10-year licence suspension: Minimum six years
  • Administrative suspension violations: Minimum six months

 

Get Your Suspended Licence Back Quicker

If you’re a first-time offender of a DUI-related charge, you can lessen your licence suspension from one year to three months by pleading guilty and joining the Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program.

For second-time offenders, pleading guilty could reduce your suspension from three years to nine months.

Those who don’t plead guilty may still qualify for a reduction, but the process and approval criteria are more rigorous. Depending on your court sentence and specific details surrounding your case, you might be eligible for a six-month reduction.

How It Works:

  1. Pleading Guilty: Shortens suspension significantly.
  2. First-Time Offenders: Three-month suspension with program enrolment.
  3. Second-Time Offenders: Nine-month suspension with program enrolment.
  4. Not Pleading Guilty: Possible six-month reduction, tougher approval.

Benefits:

  • Faster Reinstatement: Get your driver’s licence back sooner.
  • Participate in Programs: Access to Ignition Interlock and Conduct Review Programs.

Stream A and Stream B categorise offenders based on their history, influencing reduction eligibility and program options.

 

Program Restrictions and Penalties

Enrolling in the Ignition Interlock Program can come with a hefty price tag and a set of stringent conditions.

Once you join, be prepared to follow all the rules closely.

Violating any terms can get you kicked out of the program and can lead to your driver’s licence being re-suspended.

Common violations include:

  • Impaired driving-related offences
  • Driving a vehicle without an interlock device
  • Failing to install the device within 30 days
  • Uninstalling the device
  • Tampering with the device
  • Missing an appointment with the ignition interlock service provider

 

Failure to adhere to these rules can bring about severe penalties:

  • Automatic 3 Month Program Extension if device detects alcohol
  • Annual costs and fees range from $2,200 – $2,500 annually (installation, removal, monitoring, calibration, device insurance)
  • Additional Legal Costs, Court Costs and Penalties (device tampering, driving another vehicle, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

If convicted of a DUI in Ontario, installing an ignition interlock device is generally mandatory.

The device must be installed and used for a specific period as dictated by the court or by Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation.

Failing to install the ignition interlock device when required can lead to serious penalties.

These might include extended licence suspensions, increased fines, or even jail time. You will also be non-compliant with the conditions of your sentencing.

You may still be required to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program even if you don’t own a vehicle.

You might need to formally state that you don’t have access to any vehicles and provide regular updates to the authorities until your monitoring period is over.

For drivers using an ignition interlock device, the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit is typically set to zero. This means you should not have any alcohol in your system when attempting to start the vehicle.