About the Ontario Ignition Interlock Program
The Ontario Ignition Interlock Program is mandatory for individuals who either have a conviction for impaired driving under the Canadian Criminal Code, or have incurred three or more impaired driving administrative suspensions within 10 years.
After reinstating your license, installing an ignition interlock device in your vehicle is required to continue driving.
When you have a breathalyzer in a car in Ontario, it makes the driver provide a breath sample before allowing your vehicle ignition to start. If alcohol is detected your vehicle will not start.
The duration of your participation in the program is determined by the specific “I” condition attached to your driver’s license.
How Long Ignition Interlock Required
- Criminal Code Conviction Penalties:
- First offense: Minimum 1-year condition.
- Second offense: Minimum 3-year condition.
- Third offense: Minimum 6 years, post 10-year suspension reinstatement.
- Administrative Suspensions:
- Minimum 6 months after mandatory suspension.
- Conditions for Extension, if you violate terms of the program such as:
- Tampering with the device.
- Driving without using the device.
- Missing a service provider appointment.
- Non-Compliance:
- Without device installation, driving is prohibited until the license condition is removed.
How Certain Drivers Convicted of an Alcohol Impaired Driving Offence can Reduce Their License Suspension
Stream A and Stream B are two different pathways to get a reduced suspension following alcohol-impaired driving offence (impaired driving, over 80 or refusing to provide a breaker sample). There is also a stream D for individuals with a prior conviction in the last 10 years.
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What is Stream A?
- Eligibility: For first-time offenders who plead guilty within 90 days of the offense.
- Driving Prohibition: 3-month absolute driving prohibition.
- Following Period: 9-month period with only ignition interlock-equipped vehicle driving allowed.
- Judicial Discretion: Judges can extend minimum suspension periods.
What is Stream B?
- Target Group: For first-time offenders who plead guilty or are found guilty more than 90 days after the offense.
- Initial Prohibition: 6-month driving prohibition.
- Subsequent Period: Followed by a mandatory 12-month period driving only vehicles with an ignition interlock device.
- Judicial Authority: Sentencing judge may extend both the prohibition period and the duration of the ignition interlock device requirement.
What is Stream D
- Target Group: Individuals with a prior alcohol-related impaired driving conviction within the last 10 years.
- Eligibility: Qualifies if they plead guilty or are found guilty within 90 days of arrest.
- Prohibition Period: 9 months of absolute prohibition from driving.
- Interlock Device Period: After the prohibition, an 18-month period with the ignition interlock device is required.
- Application: Approval from the Ministry of Transportation needed, along with the completion of necessary programs like ‘Back on Track’.
Ignition Interlock FAQ
- How much does ignition interlock cost in Ontario?
The interlock device cost in Ontario typically ranges from about $1,500 to $2,000 per year. This price usually includes the installation of the device, as well as ongoing expenses for maintenance, monitoring, and program registration. However, these costs can vary, so it’s advisable to contact specific service providers for the most up-to-date and accurate pricing information. Keep in mind that additional expenses such as fees for the Back on Track program may also apply.
- How long is ignition interlock required in Ontario?
- For First-Time Offenders: Minimum 1 year.
- For Second-Time Offenders: Minimum 3 years.
- For Third-Time Offenders: Minimum 6 years, applicable if the license is reinstated after a minimum 10-year suspension.
- For Administrative Suspensions: A minimum of 6 months after serving the mandatory license suspension period.
**Possibility of Reduced Suspension
The Reduced Suspension with Ignition Interlock Conduct Review Program is designed for drivers in Ontario convicted of their first or second offense of alcohol-impaired driving, as per the Criminal Code. This program offers these drivers a chance to lessen their license suspension period. To qualify, they must fulfill certain criteria, including the compulsory installation and use of a certified ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
- What Happens if you Don’t Install a Breathalyzer For your Car in Ontario?
You cannot drive
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Ignition Interlock Locations; Installation Locations in Ontario
Below is a list of breathalyzer installation in Ontario. You will need to register with one of the government interlock service provides to have ignition interlock device installed. Find your city below to find an approved service provider. This list may become out-dated and it is best to call first and double-check that the service provider in your area is still performing this work. The below list is not an endorsement of any kind, simply a list of locations across Ontario by city and service provider.
| City& Service Provider: | Smart Start Canada | Alcolock |
| Barrie | Absolute Automotive Specialties 151 Tiffin St Barrie, ON, L4N 2N3 | |
| Brampton | DC Unlimited 6A Tilbury Ct #1 Brampton, ON,L6T 4T9 | Peel Audio Video 240 Clarence Street, Unit #1, Brampton, ON L6W 1T4 |
| Brantford | The audible difference 537 West St Brantford, ON, N3R 6M5 | Audio Vibe 264 King George Road, Brantford, ON N3R 5L5 |
| Burlington | 360 Auto and Sound inc 4235 Fairview St Burlington, ON, L7L 2A4 | Visions Electronics 1220 Brant Street, Burlington, ON L7P 1X8 |
| Carleton Place | MacPherson Auto 11 Bell Street, Carleton Place, ON K7C 1V8 | |
| Chatham | Toonstra’s Car Tunes Unit 2 630 Grand Ave East Chatham, ON, N7L 1X6 | |
| Cornwall | Wired Audio 645 Cumberland St Cornwall, ON, K6J 4J6 | Car Tunes Audio 1558 Pitt Street, Cornwall, ON K6J 3V1 |
| Gravenhurst | No Limits Performance 451 Bethune DR N Gravenhurst, ON, P1P 1B8 | |
| Guelph | Powerline Electronics 409 Woodlawn Road West Guelph, ON, N1H 7M1 | Everything Automotive 450 Michener Road, Guelph, ON N1K 1E4 |
| Hamilton | East Hamilton Radio 1325 Barton Street East, Hamilton, ON, L8H 2W2 | |
| Kingston | Cozy car Inc 1093 John Counter Blvd Kingston, ON K7K 6C7 | Partners Auto Shop 367 Rideau Street, Kingston, ON K7K 3B2 |
| Kitchener | Naamani Automotive Electronic Inc. 30 Manitou Dr. Unit E Kitchener, ON N2C 1L3 | Visions Electronics 589 Fairway Road South, Kitchener, ON N2C 1X4 |
| London | Carphonix 663 Wellington Rd. London, ON N6C 4R4 | Visions Electronics 3325 Wonderland Rd S, Unit 4, London, ON N6L 0E3 |
| Markdale | Harrison Interlock 580075 Side Road 60, RR #7, Markdale, ON N0C 1H0 | |
| Milton | Milton Auto Electric 611 Main Street East, Milton, ON L9T 3J3 | |
| Mississauga | Smart Start Corporate 3190 Ridgeway Dr Unit 12 Mississauga, ON L5L 5S8 | Visions Electronics 600 Matheson Blvd W, Unit 3, Mississauga, ON L5R 4B8 |
| Newmarket Smart start 220 Pony Drive Unit #1D Newmarket, ON L3Y 7B6 | ||
| Newmarket | ||
| Nepean | Hyperion Technologies 151 Bentley Avenue, Unit 7, Nepean, ON K2E 6T7 | |
| North Bay | Shark Mobile F-600 Gormanville Road, North Bay, ON P1B 9S7 | |
| North York | Car System Installation 874 Magnetic Dr. North York, ON M3J 2C4 | |
| Ottawa | The 12Volt Guy 5340 Canotek Road, Unit 20, Ottawa, ON K1J 9C8 | |
| Peterborough | Seductive Sounds 675 The Queensway Unit C Peterborough, ON, K9J 7J6 | MBA Audio & Customs 8160 Hwy. #7, Peterborough, ON K9J 6X3 |
| Pickering | Durham Autohaus Inc Unit 12 1600 alliance road Pickering, ON, L1W 3V2 | The Tint Shop 1211 Kingston Road, Unit 3B Pickering, ON L1V 6M5 |
| Port Elgin | Carstar Port Elgin Appraisal Centre 1213 Goderich Street, Unit #4, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0 | |
| Sault Ste. Marie | John Caruso’s Team Automotive Repair Center 789 Peoples Road, Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6C 3V6 | |
| Scarborough | Visions Electronics 33 William Kitchen Rd, Unit J6, Scarborough, ON M1P 4B7 | |
| Smiths Falls | RCL Automotive 236 Lombard Smiths Falls, ON, K7A 5B8 | |
| St. Catharines | Wild Car Audio 320 Vansickle Road, Unit 1, St. Catharines, ON L2S 0B4 | |
| Sudbury | Lockerby Auto Care 339 Harrison Drive, Sudbury, ON P3E 5E1 | |
| Thunder Bay | Ace Automotive 113 Leith St Thunder Bay, ON, P7C 1M7 | 830 N. Vickers Street, Thunder Bay, ON P7C 4C1 |
| Timmins | Innovative Mobile Audio & Performance 407 Wilson Timmins, ON, P4N 2T9 | Expertech Auto 170 Jaguar Drive, Timmins, ON P4R 0H1 |
| Toronto | ALCOLOCK – Toronto 60 International Boulevard, Toronto, ON, M9W 6J2, CANADA | |
| Trenton | Action Towing & Automotive 9 Douglas Road Trenton, ON K8V 5R2 | |
| Vanier | Langlois Sound Performance 279 McArthur Avenue Vanier, ON, K1L 6P3 | |
| Vaughan | Visions Electronics 67 Colossus Drive Unit D55, Woodbridge, ON L4L 9J8 | |
| Wasaga Beach | Auto-Tech ‘N Tire 1227 Mosley Street, Wasaga Beach, ON L9Z 2E5 | |
| Welland | Base Electronics 871 Niagara St Welland, ON, L3C 6Y1 | |
| Whitby | Visions Electronics 1629 Victoria St E, Unit 12, Whitby, ON L1N 9W4 ALCOLOCK – Whitby 1751 Wentworth Street, Whitby, ON L1N 8R6 | |
| Windsor | Huron Automotive 1660 Huron Church Rd Windsor, ON, N9C 2L1 | Carstar Collision 1474 Tecumseh Road West, Windsor, ON N9B 1T6 |
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