Will I have to take the Responsible Driver Program / Ignition Interlock Program?
If you have been issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP), a 90-day Administrative Roadside Prohibition (ADP) or a Criminal Code conviction for drinking and driving you may be facing uncertainty about whether or not you will need to enrol in the Responsible Driver Program or have an Ignition Interlock device installed in your vehicle if the prohibition is upheld.
There is no hard and fast answer, but this guide will explain how the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles decides if it will refer someone to the Responsible Driver Program and/or the Ignition Interlock Program.
What is the Responsible Driver Program?
The Responsible Driver Program (RDP) is a remedial course given to drivers with certain impaired driving violations on their driving record. The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles requires these drivers to attend the RDP in order encourage them to improve their driving behaviour.
It consists of in-person and over-the-phone sessions where participants are required to discuss their drinking and driving behaviour.
What is the Ignition Interlock Program?
The Superintendent also has the power to refer drivers to the Ignition Interlock Program. An ignition interlock is a device installed in a vehicle that the driver must blow into before starting the engine. The interlock detects alcohol on the motorist’s breath and if it detects any alcohol, it will prevent the car from starting. The device also logs the reading each time it is used, including occasions when it detects alcohol. This information is kept on a database and if it detects multiple alcohol readings it may lead to extension of the driver’s participation in the IIP.
Who has to take the Responsible Driver Program / Ignition Interlock Program?
The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles will refer drivers to the Responsible Driver Program if they accumulate six remedial program points within a five-year window.
The criteria for the Ignition Interlock Program (IIP) is slightly higher. They will be referred to the IIP if they accumulate a minimum of nine remedial points within a five-year window. The more remedial points they have, the longer they will need to have the ignition interlock device in their vehicle.
Different impaired driving violations carry certain remedial program points. All 90-day IRPs, 90-day ADPs and Criminal Code convictions carry a penalty of six remedial program points, so if you receive one of these, you will automatically be referred to the RDP. You will, not however, be automatically referred to the IIP unless you get another prohibition that carries at least three remedial program points within the next five years. If you accumulate only one 24-hour, three- seven- or 30-day prohibition within five years, you will not be required to enrol in the RDP or IIP.
The Superintendent of Motor Vehicles may also decide it is in the public interest to have a driver complete the course after examining their driving record, their skills, fitness and ability to drive.
What is the Responsible Driver Program like?
If you are referred to the Responsible Driver Program, it is important you read everything sent to you carefully. Prepare for the course before you start. Read the material and think about things that could undermine your statements. Remember, the fact you have a drinking and driving offence on your driving record means the offence is proven. Denying, equivocating or playing down the significance or facts of your case merely makes you look like you are in denial.
The first step is an intensive telephone assessment. It is important to be prepared for the phone assessment. This is not a friendly chat. The purpose of this phone call is to determine whether you will be assigned to either an eight-hour or 16-hour component of the program.
Driving Law · Episode 55: The Responsible Driver Program
Although there is no extra charge for the longer course, depending on how the conversation goes you could find yourself spending double the amount of time in the course than other people. You need to to be honest but whatever you do, do not play up your drinking. Make notes as you go along. Be careful what you say because they are writing it down.
After your phone interview and you have been assigned to either the eight-hour or 16-hour component of the program, you will attend sessions conducted in groups lead by a facilitator. Arrive on time, make sure you are well presented. Ensure you are not hungover or have not had a drop of liquor before the meeting. It is a good idea to attend with pens and a notebook to show you are an active participant. Take a bottle of water and be aware that someone may sniff it for alcohol.
When answering questions, do not downplay the dangers of drinking. Remember that everyone is there for the same reason. Participants have to fill out a workbook including a page titled “My Substance Use”. This page includes questions about what your substance when it was at its highest in the past, what it is at the present time, and what you think were the negative consequences of your substance use.
Avoid sharing too much information about yourself but not sharing anything and not coming across as an active participant can also count against you. Be aware that you may be referred to the IIP on the basis of the report of your participation in the RDP.
How much will the Responsible Driver Program and Ignition Interlock Program cost?
Both the RDP and IIP are very costly. Participants will have to pay around $930 ($905 plus GST) to the service provider, Stroh Health Care, for the program.
The IIP is also very expensive. Participants have to pay a monitoring fee of $2.67 per day. So, if you were mandated to have the device for 24 months, you would have to pay nearly $2,000. Other fees associated with the program, not including GST and PST, are:
- $145 for installation and training on the device
- $50 removal fee at the end of the program
- $188 early removal fee (by choice or by administrator’s decision)
- $105 one-time administration fee
Read our Guide to negotiating the Responsible Driver Program