Ontario’s Ignition Interlock Program

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