If you have just been issued an Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP), what you do next matters. These cases move quickly, the rules are rigid, and small mistakes early on can limit your options later.
Here are three things you should do immediately.
1. Take Notes as Soon as You Can
As soon as the interaction is over and you are able, write down everything you remember.
Do this while it is still fresh. Times, locations, what was said, what you were asked, what you did, what you were told, and anything that struck you as unusual. Include details about the demand, the device, the number of attempts, and any issues you noticed.
These notes are not for the police. They are not for ICBC. They are not for friends or family. They are for your lawyer. Memory fades quickly, and contemporaneous notes can be critical in assessing defences and preparing a review.
2. Keep Every Piece of Paper the Police Gave You
Do not lose the paperwork. Do not fold it into your pocket. Do not leave it on the dash. Do not treat it casually.
The Notice of Prohibition, the driving prohibition, and any accompanying documents matter. Timelines, dates, and procedural steps are tied to those documents. If something is missing, damaged, or unreadable, it can create unnecessary problems later.
Put everything somewhere safe and keep it in good condition.
3. Contact an IRP Lawyer Immediately
The timeline for an IRP is harsh. Reviews must be filed quickly, records must be requested, and submissions must be prepared within a strict window. There is no flexibility if you miss it.
Firms that regularly handle IRP cases have systems in place to move fast, but those systems only work if you engage early. Waiting compresses the timeline, limits strategic options, and increases the risk of errors.
This is not a minor inconvenience. It affects your ability to drive, work, and live your life. There are defences available, but they depend on acting quickly. Do not undermine your own case by delaying. Get legal advice as soon as possible.
Get Things Moving
If you have received an Immediate Roadside Prohibition, do not wait. The deadlines start running immediately, and once they are missed, they cannot be fixed. Acumen Law regularly handles IRP cases across British Columbia and understands the procedural traps built into the system.
Your licence and your ability to drive matters to you and it matters to us. Contact us right away so we can review what happened and get to work before time runs out.