What is the alcohol ignition interlock program?
It is a provincial government program. If you are convicted and get into the program, you are able to drive but only vehicles that have alcohol ignition interlock devices installed in them.
What is an alcohol ignition interlock device?
If the device detects alcohol on your breath, it keeps your vehicle from starting.
Does Alberta’s alcohol ignition interlock program accept everyone who applies?
No, the program does not accept people who are convicted of impaired driving causing injury or death.
What do I need to get into the program?
You must not have been convicted of impaired driving causing injury or death. As well, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- Have a court order authorizing you for the program – ask the court for the order during your sentencing.
- Serve the minimum amount of your suspension. That is, if this is your first offense, you serve at least the first three months of your suspension; if it is a second offense, you serve at least the first six months. For each further offence, you must serve an additional 12 months in suspension time.
- Complete the impaired driving course set out in your Notice of Suspension, plus every other requirement (if any) set out in that Notice.
- Be an Alberta resident and eligible for a Restricted Operator’s Licence.
- Be accepted by the Alberta Transportation Safety Board into the program.
- Undertake to stay in the program (if accepted) for at least six months.
How do I consult with a lawyer about losing or regaining my driver’s licence or about the alcohol ignition interlock program?
A private lawyer, a legal clinic or Alberta Law Line may be able to give you legal advice:
- Private lawyers can be found, for example, in the telephone book or through the Lawyer Referral Service at 403-228-1722 in Calgary or, toll free, at 1-800-661-1095 elsewhere in Alberta (plus, Saskatchewan, BC’s Lower Mainland, Yukon, NWT, and Nunavut).
- Full-time legal clinics in Alberta include, in Calgary, Calgary Legal Guidance and Student Legal Assistance; in Edmonton, the Edmonton Community Legal Centre and Student Legal Services; in Central Alberta (including Red Deer), the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic; and, in Lethbridge, Lethbridge Legal Guidance. Each clinic decides on its own who gets legal advice. Central Alberta Law Office (CALO). A program of Legal Aid Alberta, CALO runs a free walk-in clinic. Service is first come, first serve, and CALO determines who is eligible for legal advice. For service times and other information about the walk-in clinic, please call CALO may be reached at (403) 340-7730.
- Alberta Law Line has staff lawyers who provide legal advice to eligible callers. The staff lawyers give legal advice solely over the telephone and do not represent people in court or meet them in person. For information about whether you would qualify for advice, please visit the Law Line Services section of this site.
What if I need help paying for a lawyer to help me to deal with losing or regaining my licence or to deal with the alcohol ignition interlock program?
- Friends or family might lend you money or otherwise help you with your lawyer’s bill.
- A lawyer might accept services or goods from you as partial payment of your legal bill.
- A lawyer may accept your case on what is called a Legal Aid certificate. If so (if you qualify financially), Legal Aid Alberta will issue certificate to a lawyer to work on your case. You will be expected to repay the cost of your legal representation to Legal Aid Alberta.
- If you get a Legal Aid certificate, it may go to a lawyer who works within a Legal Aid program. For more information about Legal Aid and any of its services, please visit www.legalaid.ab.ca
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