In this article, I cover the 5 you need to know about the Ignition Interlock Program.
1/ You must participate
- Under the Criminal Code of Canada, you must take the Ignition Interlock Program if one of these situations has happened to you.
- First. If you’ve been convicted of drunk driving, DUI, Over 80, Impaired Driving or a Refusal to take a breathalyzer test.
- Or, second. If, within 10 years, you’ve been suspended for a drunk driving offence three times or more. This is called an administrative suspension.
2/ Program length
- The length of time you need to participate in the Ignition Interlock Program ranges from 6 months to 6 years.
- The actual time that you will need to participate is defined as follows.
- With an administrative suspension, the minimum time is 6 months.
- If you’ve been convicted of an Impaired Driving offence, then the time period is determined by the number of drunk driving convictions you’ve had.
- For a first-time conviction, minimum participation is 1 year.
- For a second time conviction, minimum participation is 3 years.
- And for a third-time conviction, minimum participation is 6 years.
3/ Program length can be extended
- I’ve just gone through how the Ignition Interlock Program length ranges from 6 months to 6 years.
- However, that program length can be extended if you break any of the terms of the interlock program.
- Commons examples of breaking terms include:
- Manipulating the interlock device.
- Driving without the interlock device, and
- Missing an appointment with one of the government-approved service providers.
4/ How it works
- The goal of this device is to ensure that you can only drive your vehicle without alcohol.
- So, you will need to blow into the device before starting your vehicle.
- The interlock device has a blood alcohol concentration threshold of 0.02.
- If you have below 0.02, your vehicle will start.
- And at random times while your vehicle is running, you’ll be asked to provide breath samples.
- If you have 0.02 or higher, your vehicle will not start, and these 3 things will happen.
- You’ll be issued a warning; the event will be documented, and an alarm system will trigger until the ignition is turned off.
5/ You’re responsible for program registration, installation and costs
- The responsibility is yours to register in the Ignition Interlock Program.
- The legal system will not do it for you.
- You can only register with a government-approved service provider.
- And you are responsible for all installation costs and the monthly servicing.
- There are also additional responsibilities you will have regarding the interlock device.
- The government-approved service provider will take you through these responsibilities which include getting regular device inspections.
