Ignition Interlock Program in Ontario
Published October 6, 2025
After an impaired driving conviction in Ontario, one of the most practical concerns is how and when you can get back behind the wheel. The ignition interlock program, administered by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), provides a pathway to earlier licence reinstatement — but with a significant condition: you must install and maintain a breath-testing device in your vehicle for a prescribed period.
This article explains how the interlock program works, who is eligible, what it costs, and what happens if you violate the program's conditions.
What Is an Ignition Interlock Device?
An ignition interlock device is a small breathalyzer connected to a vehicle's ignition system. Before the vehicle will start, the driver must blow into the device and provide a breath sample that registers below a preset blood alcohol concentration — typically 0.02 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, which is effectively zero tolerance.
The device also requires random rolling re-tests while the vehicle is in operation. These re-tests ensure that the driver has not consumed alcohol after starting the vehicle. If a re-test is failed or refused, the device logs the event and activates an alarm (typically the horn and flashing lights) until the vehicle is pulled over and the engine is turned off.
All data from the device — including passed tests, failed tests, missed tests, and any tampering attempts — is recorded and regularly downloaded by the service provider. This data is reported to the MTO and can have consequences for the driver's participation in the program.
Who Must Participate in the Interlock Program
In Ontario, participation in the ignition interlock program is mandatory for anyone seeking to reinstate their driver's licence after a Criminal Code impaired driving conviction. This includes convictions for:
- Impaired operation of a motor vehicle (alcohol or drugs)
- Operation with a blood alcohol concentration at or over 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood
- Refusal to provide a breath or blood sample
The length of the mandatory interlock period depends on whether it is a first, second, or subsequent offence:
- First offence: Minimum one-year interlock condition following the completion of the driving prohibition
- Second offence: Minimum three-year interlock condition
- Third or subsequent offence: Minimum six-year interlock condition, with the possibility of a lifetime interlock requirement
Ontario also allows participation in the interlock program to begin earlier — in some cases, reducing the period of absolute driving prohibition. For a first offence, the court-imposed driving prohibition is a minimum of one year, but the interlock program may allow the driver to begin driving with the device installed after as few as three months of the prohibition period, provided they meet all other conditions.
How to Enrol in the Program
Enrolling in the interlock program involves several steps. After the mandatory prohibition period has passed (or the reduced period, if applicable), the driver must:
1. Complete a remedial measures program. Ontario requires convicted impaired drivers to attend the Back on Track program, an education and treatment program administered by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). The program includes an assessment, an education workshop, and — for those assessed as higher risk — a treatment component. The program must be completed before licence reinstatement.
2. Apply to the MTO for licence reinstatement with interlock condition. The application requires proof of program completion, payment of reinstatement fees, and agreement to the interlock condition on the licence.
3. Install the interlock device. The device must be installed by an approved service provider. In Ontario, approved providers include Smart Start and other certified companies. Installation typically takes one to two hours and costs several hundred dollars, with ongoing monthly lease and calibration fees ranging from approximately $100 to $150 per month.
4. Drive only the interlock-equipped vehicle. The interlock condition is tied to the driver's licence, not to a specific vehicle. However, every vehicle the person operates must have an interlock device installed. Driving any vehicle without an interlock while the condition is in effect is a criminal offence.
Costs of the Interlock Program
The financial costs of the interlock program are significant and should be factored into the overall consequences of an impaired driving conviction. Typical costs include:
- Installation fee: $100 to $200
- Monthly lease and calibration: $100 to $150 per month
- Removal fee: $50 to $100
- Back on Track program: approximately $634
- Licence reinstatement fee: $281
- Increased insurance premiums: Substantially higher, often two to three times the previous rate, for several years following reinstatement
For a first offence with a one-year interlock period, the total cost of the interlock alone — installation, monthly fees, and removal — typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,000. Combined with fines, legal fees, the Back on Track program, and increased insurance, the total financial impact of an impaired driving conviction can exceed $20,000 over several years.
Violations and Consequences
The interlock program operates on a strict compliance basis. Violations can result in extension of the interlock period, suspension of driving privileges, or removal from the program entirely.
Common violations include:
- Failing a breath test (providing a sample above the preset limit)
- Missing a rolling re-test
- Tampering with or attempting to circumvent the device
- Having another person provide a breath sample
- Failing to bring the vehicle in for scheduled data downloads and calibration
A single failed test does not automatically result in removal from the program, but it is recorded and reviewed. Patterns of violations are treated more seriously. Tampering with the device is a criminal offence and can result in new charges in addition to consequences within the interlock program.
Drivers should also be aware that certain foods, mouthwashes, and medications can produce false positive readings. Rinsing your mouth with water before providing a sample and waiting a few minutes after eating can help avoid this issue. If you believe a failed test was caused by something other than alcohol consumption, document the circumstances and report it to your service provider.
Life After the Interlock
Once the interlock period is complete and all program requirements have been met, the driver can apply to have the interlock condition removed from their licence. The device is removed from the vehicle, and the driver's licence is reissued without the condition.
However, the impaired driving conviction remains on the driver's record and continues to affect insurance rates and other aspects of life. Over time, the impact diminishes, and eventually the driver may be eligible for a record suspension to set the conviction apart.
The interlock program is demanding, but it serves an important purpose: it allows people convicted of impaired driving to resume driving while ensuring public safety through ongoing monitoring. For most people, the practical benefit of being able to drive — to get to work, care for family, and maintain daily responsibilities — outweighs the inconvenience and cost of the device.
If you are facing impaired driving charges in Ontario and have questions about the potential consequences, including the interlock program, contact a criminal defence lawyer to discuss your situation.
For official information on the ignition interlock program and licence reinstatement requirements, visit ontario.ca.