Alberta Ignition Interlock Program - AIIP

If you have lost your driver's licence due to an impaired driving conviction, the Alberta Ignition Interlock Program may allow you conditional driving privileges.

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What is the Ignition Interlock Program?

• If you have lost your driver's licence through an impaired driving conviction, the Ignition Interlock Program may allow you to gain conditional driving privileges.

• You may have to meet certain requirements to participate in the program.

• The program is designed to help individuals separate their drinking behaviour from driving.

How does the program work?

• The court must authorize your use of the ignition interlock device.

• Note: An original or readable copy of your court ordered “Order of Driving Prohibition” must accompany your application to the Ignition Interlock Program.

• The Alberta Transportation Safety Board (the Board) must approve your participation.

• If you qualify for the program, you must get an alcohol – sensing device attached to the ignition system of your vehicle.

• If the device detects a pre - set level of alcohol, you will not be able to start or drive your vehicle.

• The device keeps a record of the driver's alcohol level during the operation of the vehicle.

• You must bring your vehicle to the installer at least once every 60 days.

• The installer will inspect the equipment and transfer the recorded information to the Board.

• If the device records that you attempted to drink and drive, the Board will be advised and action may be taken against you.

• The reinstatement of unrestricted driving privileges at the end of your suspension period depends upon your performance in the program.

Am I eligible to participate in the program?

   - You are eligible to participate in the program if you meet the following conditions

• You have been convicted of impaired driving or refusing a breathalyser demand under section 253 or 254 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

   - You are not eligible to participate in the program:

• if you were convicted of impaired driving causing injury or death under section 255 of the Criminal Code;

• if you were convicted of impaired driving causing injury or death under section 255 of the Criminal Code;

• if you have served the minimum mandatory driving prohibition period specified by section 259(1.1) of the Criminal Code;

• if you are a resident of Alberta and eligible for a restricted operator's licence.

-   If you had a driver's licence from another jurisdiction at the time of your conviction, or if you were convicted in another jurisdiction that has a similar program, you may be able to participate in the program in Alberta. You must obtain confirmation that the other jurisdiction will transfer your driver records to Alberta and clear the current suspension from that jurisdiction. In addition, you must be a resident of Alberta.

• You have served all suspensions other than the current alcohol related suspension.

I was convicted as a repeat [or subsequent] offender. Can I participate?

• Recent changes to the Criminal Code make it possible for repeat offenders to participate in the program after serving a court ordered minimum mandatory prohibition period.

• You must meet all other conditions described earlier under “Am I eligible to participate in the program?”.

• You must complete the course “IMPACT” (you will receive a Summary Board Report when you complete the course. This will have to be provided to the Driver Control Board).

• You may have taken “IMPACT” following an earlier conviction, however, as you were advised after your current suspension, you must take the course again.

• You may be required to appear before the Board and bring your Summary Report from “IMPACT” to the hearing

How will I know if the Board has approved me for the program?

• The Board will notify you in writing about your acceptance or rejection for the program.

• If you are accepted, you will be given detailed instructions on getting the equipment installed in your vehicle, receiving training to use it and obtaining a restricted licence.

• The Board may take up to 30 days to process your application.

• The Board may deny any application in the interest of public safety.

What is involved if I am accepted into the program?

• The terms and conditions for your participation in the program are at the bottom of this page.

What will it cost me to participate in the program?

         You can expect the following approximate costs:

• $125 plus G.S.T. for the installation.
• $95 plus G.S.T. per month for the rental of the device
• $200 for the course Planning Ahead or $465 for the course "IMPACT".
• The fees for the initial application, a restricted operator's licence, and knowledge, vision, and road tests.

How do I apply to participate in the Interlock Ignition Program?

• Step 1. The court must authorize you to operate a motor vehicle with an interlock device during the prohibition period. You must obtain a copy of the court order of driving prohibition.

• Step 2. You must determine whether You are eligible to apply for the program.

• Step 3. You should review this guide and decide whether you want to participate, prior to paying the application fee.

• Step 4. If you are a first-time offender, you must complete the "Planning Ahead" course and if you are a repeat or subsequent offender, you must complete the “IMPACT” course.

• (You can get information and enroll yourself in either course by contacting the Alberta Impaired Driver Program at 1-800 - 272 - 5698 or at (780) 430 - 8811.)

• Step 5. You must purchase an application form at any Registry Agent office and complete your portion of the application.

• Step 6. You are required to complete the form and submit your original application to the Board along with the order of driving prohibition at either of these addresses:

(Or, call toll - free from anywhere in the province by dialing 310 - 000)

Terms and Conditions

1. All costs associated with the installation and maintenance of an approved ignition interlock device are the responsibility of the applicant

2. An "approved ignition interlock device is the make and model of instrument designated by the Board as; a) meeting the Board s performance standards; and b) provided by a designated supplier/installer.

3. The applicant must have the Ignition Interlock device on the vehicle for a minimum of six months from the date of receiving a restricted operator's licence, to the end of the licence suspension period, which ever is greater, The vehicle with the Ignition Interlock device must be driver on a regular basis or an explanation as to why it was not driven must be provided to the Board.

4. The applicant will provide a suitable vehicle for installation of an approved ignition interlock device. Any repairs or improvements to a vehicle required to ensure the safe installation of an interlock device shall be my responsibility (e.g. weak battery, faulty wiring or fuses).

5. The applicant shall be liable for any and all damages to an approved ignition interlock device and shall be bound by the terms and conditions of any financial contract entered into with the supplier/installer.

6. The applicant will arrange for servicing of the ignition interlock device 30 days after initial installation and at least every 60 days thereafter. or as designated by the Board.

7. A record of driving activity for the applicant provided by the interlock device at each servicing will be forwarded by the supplier/installer to the Board for monitoring. This driving activity record consists of a printout list of :

• a) all tests where alcohol is detected, recorded by day, time, Blood Alcohol Level (BAC level) and test results;
• b) total of all starts in a given day where no alcohol was detected:
• c) all incidents of tampering or attempted tampering by day, date and time:
• d) failure to provide retest or demand.

8. The applicant is responsible for the contents of the printout record and shall be held accountable for the activities of other persons using the interlock-equipped vehicle.

9. The applicant and other persons using the interlock-equipped vehicle will undertake all training provided by the supplier/installer in the proper operation of the device.

10. Prior to being released from the program, the last two reports must be clean (no unexplained warns or fails).

11, The applicant must understand that certain actions may result in either a Notice to Attend an inquiry with the Board or an extension of the Ignition Interlock Program, Examples of such actions include, but are not limited to:

• a) frequent "fail" recordings:
• b) frequent vehicle operations with a "warning" BAC level.

12. The outcome of an interview before the Board may include an indefinite suspension, further counseling or a treatment order. Failure to attend the inquiry may result in indefinite suspension.

13. A request to have the approved interlock device removed and continue legal driving will not be considered by the Board until;

• a) the expiry date of the provincial portion of the suspension period: or
• b) another later date considered appropriate by the Board:
• c) in any event, at least 6 months from the date a restricted Operators Licence is obtained: and
• d) other conditions imposed by the Board.

14. The Ignition Interlock device will not be removed if any warns or fails are in the final report. The final report is the one down loaded immediately prior to the Ignition Interlock device being removed.

15, If eligible for termination from the Ignition Interlock Program, the applicant's case shall automatically be reviewed by the Board. Where the Board decides to continue participation on the program. official notice will be sent to the last registered address. An appeal to the decision can be made to the Board through a mailed notice.

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IMPORTANT: Recent Changes to Sentencing

The Government of Alberta has made some recent changes to the licence suspension portion of sentencing for impaired drivers. In a nutshell, the Interlock Program is now mandatory for at least six months for all persons convicted of an alcohol related offence. The only exception is for persons convicted of > 80 mg % for the first time and whose blood alcohol concentration is less than 160 mg %. In order to qualify for the exception, the driver must apply in writing and send in a copy of the certificate of analysis. Further details may be found here