For offences that take place on or after September 30, 1998, the Highway Traffic Act requires convicted impaired drivers or roadside suspension warn range drivers with more than one suspension to successfully complete Back on Track, Ontario's Remedial Measures Program, before their licences can be reinstated. Participants must pay a fee of $578 (plus GST) for convicted impaired drivers - $606.90 or $178 (plus GST) for warn range drivers – 186.90 to cover the costs of the program. You should register for Back on Track as soon as possible after you receive your suspension notice. It can take 11 months to complete the program. Please note: If you do not complete all components of the Back on Track program within your suspension period, your license will be further suspended.
If you are convicted of a drinking and driving offence, you will receive a suspension
notice from the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO). The notice includes
your remedial requirement and the length of your licence suspension.
To pass the program, you must meet the following requirements:
- Do not use alcohol or drugs (except medication as prescribed by a physician) within 24 hours or on any day that I participate in the program
- attend all sessions as scheduled and arrive on time
- Participate in program activities and demonstrate that you have learned how to separate your drinking from your driving
- treat others with respect.
If you fail the course or any component, you will have to register and pay the program fee again. This could result in a delay of eight months or more in reinstating your driver's licence.
Please Note: Warn Range Roadside Suspension Drivers only need to complete Education or Treatment.
The education program helps participants learn about:
- Myths and facts about alcohol and other drugs
- how alcohol and other drugs affect driving performance and safety
- the legal and personal consequences of an impaired driving conviction
- ways to avoid to drinking and driving.
The program is eight hours in length. It includes presentations, exercises, discussions and group work.
The treatment program helps participants to:
- learn about why people drink or use other drugs and how it affects our lives.
- learn about, and take responsibility for, their alcohol and drug use and its consequences
- commit to reducing or stopping problem use of alcohol and drugs
- learn strategies and skills for managing stress and anger.
- to learn strategies and skills for communicating effectively and to live a healthy lifestyle.
- plan to avoid relapses and make healthier choices.
- avoid drinking and driving.
The program is 16 hours in length. It includes discussions, exercises, group work and personal planning.
If you have received an assessment you must complete a follow-up interview six months after finishing your education or treatment program. The follow-up interview takes about 30 minutes. It is your responsibility to arrange for your follow-up interview, which can be done in person or by telephone. The follow-up interview:
- assesses your success in meeting your goals
- reinforces the strategies for avoiding drinking and driving developed during the program.
