Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program
Learn how certain drivers convicted of an alcohol-impaired driving offence under the Criminal Code can reduce their licence suspension.
About the program
The Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program allows eligible drivers convicted of a first or second alcohol-impaired driving offence under the Criminal Code to reduce their licence suspension in return for meeting certain requirements, such as the mandatory installation of an approved ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
Learn more about how the device works.
Program streams
The program has three streams with different eligibility requirements that can reduce the length of time a driver’s licence is suspended:
| Program stream | Driver category | Standard Highway Traffic Act penalty | Reduced Suspension Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stream A | First-time offender | Licence suspension: 1 year Followed by ignition interlock installation period: minimum 1 year | Licence suspension: minimum of 3 months Followed by ignition interlock: minimum 9-month |
| Stream B | First-time offender | Licence suspension: 1 year Followed by ignition interlock: minimum 1 year | Licence suspension: minimum 6 months Followed by ignition interlock: minimum 12 months (1 year) |
| Stream D | Second-time offender | Licence suspension: 3 years Followed by ignition interlock: minimum 3 years | Licence suspension: minimum 9 months Followed by ignition interlock: minimum 18 months |
Eligibility
You may be eligible for the program if:
- your driver's licence has been suspended for 1 or 3 years as a result of an alcohol-impaired driving conviction under the Criminal Code
- you are a first-time or second-time offender as determined by the Highway Traffic Act
- if you meet this requirement but your licence remains suspended because of a prohibition order that is longer than one year (first time offender) or longer than three years (second time offender)
- the offence did not involve impairment by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol
- you were not convicted of:
- an offence under the Criminal Code where bodily harm or death was caused
- a drive while disqualified offence under the Criminal Code within 5 years (for a first time offender) or within 10 years (for a second time offender) before your alcohol-impaired driving conviction
- you are not subject to:
- a court order denying you the authorization to drive with an ignition interlock device during the prohibition period
- an ignition interlock licence condition on the date of the offence
- you have not previously been granted a reduction to 10 years of an indefinite licence suspension
Eligible drivers will be sent an information package from the Ministry of Transportation containing:
- details on how to meet the requirements for entry into the program
- application instructions
- the mandatory periods of suspension and interlock installation
- timelines that must be met
Eligibility by stream
Stream A
To be able to enter this stream, you must:
- be a first-time offender
- meet the program's eligibility requirements and:
- enter a plea of guilty to the offence
- be convicted or found guilty, sentenced and subject to a driving prohibition order within 90 days of the date of offence, even if the offence occurred more than 90 days before the date of sentence
Within three (3) months from the date of sentencing, you must also complete the two components of the program application (remedial measures program assessment and lease agreement with service provider).
To meet the timelines, make sure you register for the remedial measures program immediately upon conviction and request an assessment.
Stream B
If you are a first-time offender eligible for the program but don't meet all of the requirements for Stream A, you may be able to enter Stream B.
Stream D
To be able to enter this stream, you must:
- be a second-time offender
- meet the program's eligibility requirements and:
- enter a plea of guilty to the offence
- be convicted or found guilty, sentenced and subject to a driving prohibition order within 90 days of the date of offence, even if the offence occurred more than 90 days before the date of sentence
You must also complete the two components of the program application (remedial measures program assessment and lease agreement with service provider).
To meet the timelines, make sure you register for the remedial measures program immediately upon conviction and request an assessment.
How to apply
To apply to the Reduced Suspension Program:
- Complete the assessment component of the required remedial measures program:
Note: For second time offenders who have an outstanding remedial requirement as a result of a previous conviction, you must complete the remedial measures program in full (not just the assessment), to satisfy this condition.
- Sign a lease agreement for an ignition interlock device with one of Ontario’s approved ignition interlock service providers:
Before entering the program, you must have:
- been reinstated from other licence suspensions (for example, unpaid fines, medical, etc.)
- paid all outstanding fees or penalties
- all other active suspensions and prohibitions expire or removed
Program violations
Violations during the ignition interlock installation period will result in your removal from the program and re-suspension.
Violations include:
- failing to install an approved ignition interlock device within 30 days of conditional licence reinstatement
- de-installing the device without authorization
- tampering with the device
- driving a vehicle that is not equipped with an approved ignition interlock device
- missing an appointment with the ignition interlock service provider
- a subsequent Criminal Code driving offence conviction
If you are removed from the program as a result of violations, you will:
- be subjected to the full licence suspension period and ignition interlock requirements for your offence had you not participated in the program
- get credit for the amount of the suspension already served
- be required to complete the remedial measures program before you can have your driver's licence reinstated with an ignition interlock licence condition for a minimum of 1 year for first time offenders or 3 years for second time offenders
Penalties
You can face penalties during the ignition interlock installation period for:
- violating a participant agreement with the service provider
- performance failures
Extended ignition interlock periods for performance failures
All activity with the ignition interlock device is recorded when it is used. Every 60 days, you must return to the ignition interlock service provider to download data and calibrate the device. The information is a way to monitor of your performance in the program.
Performance failures can arise and include:
- blowing over the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit of 0.02
- missing a breath sample test that the device requested at random while you were driving
The penalties for performance failures are extended ignition interlock installation periods:
- for first-time offenders:
- additional 3 months from the current expiry date for performance failures in the last 3 months of the installation period
- for second-time offenders:
- additional 6 months from the current expiry date for performance failures in the last 6 months of the installation period
If you get suspended for an administrative roadside sanction (for example, BAC above your allowable limit) at any time during the mandatory ignition interlock installation period, you will face an additional 3-month period from the current expiry date.
Completing the program
At the end of the ignition interlock installation period, you can exit the program and receive an unconditional licence if you meet the following requirements:
- successful completion of the remedial measures program (can take 11 months to complete)
- the final interlock data download has been received from the ignition interlock service provider and does not indicate any violations or performance failures. The final data download will not be accepted if your licence is suspended at the time of the final appointment.
If you don’t meet these requirements, the ignition interlock installation period and regular monitoring of performance will continue.
Drivers choosing not to enter the program
If you choose not to enter the Reduced Suspension Program, you will need to:
- serve the full suspension period
- complete the remedial measures program prior to reinstatement (it will take up to 11 months to complete the program)
- upon reinstatement, have an ignition interlock condition on your licence for a minimum of 1 year (first time offender) or 3 years (second time offender), and
- submit a Substance Use Assessment form for the removal of the ignition interlock condition from your licence
Contact us
For more information contact the Ministry of Transportation at:
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph The Court may increase this period.
- footnote[2] Back to paragraph The minimum ignition interlock installation period depends on the length of time you are prohibited from driving as ordered by the Court. Your ignition interlock period will not end before the driving prohibition period expires.