Conduct Review Program

Ontario's Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program

What is the Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program?

The Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program ("the Program") will allow eligible drivers convicted for a first-time of an alcohol-impaired driving offence under the Criminal Code on or after August 3, 2010 to reduce their licence suspension in return for meeting specific requirements, such as the mandatory installation of an approved ignition interlock device in their vehicle.

Who is eligible for the Program?

Drivers may be eligible for the Program if they meet the following criteria:

• Driver’s licence has been suspended for a period of 1 year pursuant to section 41 of the HTA as a result of an alcohol-impaired driving conviction under sections 253, 254, or 255(1) of the Criminal Code (Canada) on or after August 3, 2010 (a first offender as determined by the HTA).  Drivers who meet this requirement, but whose licence will remain suspended under section 43 of the HTA because of a prohibition order that is longer than one year, remain eligible for the program;
• The circumstances of the offence did not involve impairment by drugs or a combination of drugs and alcohol;
• Not convicted of an offence under section 255 of the Criminal Code where bodily harm or death is caused;
• Not convicted of a drive while disqualified offence under subsection 259(4) of the Criminal Code within the 5 years preceding their alcohol-impaired driving conviction;
• Not subject to a court order denying them the authorization to drive with an ignition interlock device during the prohibition period;
• Not subject to an ignition interlock licence condition on the date of the offence;
• Not previously been granted a reduction to 10 years of an indefinite licence suspension;
• Complete the assessment component of the required remedial measures program*; and
• Sign a lease agreement for an ignition interlock device with the approved ignition interlock service provider*.

* Completion of the remedial measures assessment component and signing of a lease agreement for an interlock device constitutes an application for the purposes of the Program.

Before successfully entering the Program, eligible drivers must pay all outstanding fees and all other active suspensions must have expired or been removed.

An information sheet which provides an overview of the Program eligibility requirements is available here.

Drivers who are eligible for the Program will receive an individualized information package from MTO with information on how to meet the requirements for entry into the Program in one of two streams. The package will include application instructions, identify the mandatory periods of suspension and interlock installation, and timelines that must be met to enter the Program.

To view example, please click:
Information Letter Stream A
Information Letter Stream B

How Does Participation in the Program Affect the Length of Driver's Licence Suspensions and Ignition Interlock Requirements?

Drivers participating in the Program will be in one of two streams. Drivers in Stream "A" will have their licence suspension period reduced to a minimum of 3 months, followed by a minimum 9-month ignition interlock installation period. Drivers in Stream "B" will have a minimum licence suspension of 6 months and a minimum interlock installation period of 12 months.

Drivers who are not eligible for or who choose not to participate in the Program will be subject to the standard sanctions under the Highway Traffic Act.

Standard HTA Sanctions for First-time Offenders:

Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program – Stream "A":

Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program – Stream "B":

* For a first offence, the Criminal Code provides an absolute minimum prohibition period of 3 months, which the court may increase, during which a driver may not have access to the Program.

** A Program participant’s minimum ignition interlock installation period is determined in reference to the length of the driving prohibition period ordered by the Court. The Criminal Code provides for a driving prohibition period of 1 to 3 years for a first-time impaired driving conviction. The ignition interlock installation period will not end prior to the expiry of the driving prohibition period.

To be able to enter the Program in Stream "A", drivers eligible to participate in the Program must also:

• Enter a plea of guilty to the offence;
• Be convicted, sentenced and subject to a driving prohibition order within 90 days of the date of offence or on or before November 1, 2010, even if their offence date is more than 90 days prior to the date of sentence; and
• Successfully complete the assessment component of the required remedial measures program and establish proof of a lease agreement for an approved ignition interlock device, prior to the expiry of the absolute minimum prohibition period. It is recommended that drivers register for the remedial measures program immediately upon conviction and that they request an assessment at the time of registration, to ensure they can complete this requirement for entry into Stream "A". 

Drivers eligible for the Program that do not meet all of the requirements to enter the Program in Stream “A” may be eligible to enter the Program in Stream “B”.

Performance Failures – Extension of Program Duration:

The Program is performance-based. All ignition interlock activity will be recorded and monitored. Every 60 days, participants must return to the ignition interlock service provider to download interlock data and calibrate the device.

Performance failures include:

• Blowing over the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) fail point of 0.02; and
• Missing a random rolling re-test

Performance failures in the last 3 months of the ignition interlock installation period will extend the installation period by 3 months from the current installation period expiry date.

What are the Program’s Conditions?

Program Violations – Removal from Program:

Violations during the ignition interlock installation period will result in removal from the program and re-suspension. Violations include:

• Failure to install an approved ignition interlock device within 30 days of conditional licence reinstatement;
• De-installation of the device without authorization;
• Tampering with the device;
• Driving a vehicle that is not equipped with an approved ignition interlock device;
• Missed appointment with the approved ignition interlock service provider (every 60 days, participants are required to attend the ignition interlock service provider to download interlock data and to calibrate the device);
• Subsequent Criminal Code driving offence conviction (suspension under HTA ss. 41 or 42);
• “Warn Range” suspensions under HTA s. 48;
• 90-day Administrative Driver’s Licence Suspensions (ADLS) under HTA s. 48.3; and
• Conviction under the HTA or HTA regulation for having a BAC in excess of a prescribed limit, e.g. novice driver Zero BAC requirement.

Drivers removed from the Program as a result of violations are subject to the full licence suspension period and ignition interlock requirements that would have been applicable to the driver but-for their participation in the Program. Such drivers will get credit for the amount of the suspension already served but will be required to complete the remedial measures program before being eligible to have their driver’s licence reinstated with an ignition interlock licence condition for a minimum of 1 year.

How do Participants Complete the Program?

At the end of the ignition interlock installation period, participants can exit and receive an unconditional licence if they meet the following requirements:

• Successful completion of the remedial measures program – the installation period continues until the driver has completed the remedial measures program. The program can take 11 months to complete.
• The final interlock data download has been received from the approved ignition interlock service provider and does not indicate any violations or performance failures; the final data download will not be accepted by the ignition interlock service provider if the offender's licence is suspended at the time of the final appointment.

The ignition interlock installation period and regular monitoring of performance continues if these requirements are not met.

Frequently Asked Questions - Procedures

For More Information

For more information contact the Ministry of Transportation: 1-800-387-3445 or 416-235-2999 or click on Ontario.ca/drivesober