Getting your license back after a DUI can feel overwhelming. As a DUI lawyer, I’ll explain the steps required to get you back on the road.
Understanding the Suspension Process
Immediate Administrative Suspension
The moment you’re charged with a DUI, you face a 90-day administrative driving license suspension. This occurs before any conviction and operates independently from court penalties. Your vehicle will be towed and impounded immediately.
Court-Ordered Suspensions
Upon conviction, judges must impose minimum driving prohibitions:
- First offense: One-year minimum
- Second offense: Two to five years
- Third offense: Three years to life
The final duration depends on aggravating factors in your case.
Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Suspensions
The MTO operates parallel to the courts with its own framework:
- First offense: One-year suspension
- Second offense: Three-year suspension
- Third offense: Lifetime suspension (reviewable after 10 years)
- Fourth offense: Permanent suspension without review
The Ministry examines the previous 10 years to calculate prior convictions. These suspensions run concurrently with court-ordered prohibitions.
The Ignition Interlock Program
This program allows you to drive under monitored conditions by installing a breath-testing device. Different program streams are available based on your situation and the timing of your guilty plea.
The 7 Required Steps for License Reinstatement
Step 1: Complete Suspension Period
Serve both the court-ordered prohibition and MTO suspension periods.
Step 2: Clear Financial Obligations
Pay all fines and victim surcharges. These may increase with aggravating factors.
Step 3: Complete Back on Track Program
This mandatory education program costs approximately \$650 and must be completed before participating in the interlock program.
Step 4: Interlock Device Installation
Program streams include:
- Stream A: Three-month suspension + nine months with interlock (if pleading guilty within 90 days)
- Stream B: Six-month suspension + twelve months with interlock
- Stream D: Nine-month suspension + eighteen months with interlock (for prior convictions)
Step 5: Documentation
Gather all program completion certificates and proof of reinstatement eligibility.
Step 6: Pay Reinstatement Fee
Visit ServiceOntario to pay the required reinstatement fee.
Step 7: Complete Required Tests
Based on suspension length, you may need to complete:
- Vision tests
- Written tests
- Road tests
Expected Costs
Total costs range between $2,500 and $4,000, including:
- Program fees
- Interlock device
- Administrative costs
Note that insurance rates will increase significantly after reinstatement.
How long is my license suspended after a DUI conviction?
Suspensions vary: one year for a first offense, three years for a second, and potentially life for subsequent offenses.
What is the Back on Track program for DUI offenders?
The Back on Track program is a mandatory education and treatment program required for license reinstatement after a DUI conviction.
