Back On Track - Ontario's Remedial Measures Program for Impaired Drivers

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Some Questions and Answers about Back onTrack

Q: What is Back on Track?

A: Back on Track provides imformation and professional guidance to people who have operated a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The program was created in 1998 to help people learn to separate drinking and other drug use from driving.

Q: Do I need to take Back on Track?

A:You need to take Back on Track if one of the following applies to you:

You have had a “warn range” suspension of your driver’s licence more than once in a five-year period. A warn range suspension is for drivers who are found to have a blood alcohol content ranging from .05 to .08 per cent.

You were convicted of an impaired driving offence and you wish to have your driver’s licence reinstated when the suspension period ends. This includes first-time offenders who qualify for a reduced suspension. Impaired driving offences include:

- driving or having care and control of any land or water motor vehicle (such as cars, trucks or boats) when your ability is impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

- driving or having care and control of any land or water motor vehicle when your blood alcohol content is more than .08 per cent.

- failing or refusing to provide a breath or blood sample.

Q: When should I register?

A: Register as soon as possible to avoid delays in getting your licence back or a further licence suspension. Early registration is especially important for first-time convicted offenders who wish to qualify for a reduced suspension.

Q: How long does it take to complete Back on Track?

A: The time it takes to complete Back on Track depends partly on why you need to take it, and partly on you. The fastest way to get through the program is to register and book each required part as soon as possible. It is your responsibility to schedule each part of the program with your local Back on Track provider. Once you are registered, completing Back on Track can take.

up to 90 days for a warn range suspension.

up to 11 months for an impaired driving conviction.

First-time offenders who qualify for a reduced suspension need only complete the assessment part of Back on Track within their suspension period; however, they must go on to complete the education or treatment and the follow-up part of the program.

Q: How do I get my licence back?

A: You will need to:

complete the required parts of Back on Track

pay any outstanding fees, fines or penalties

wait for any suspension periods to end.

These requirements must be met to begin the period when your licence has an ignition interlock condition. You are advised to apply to have your licence reinstated as soon as possible to be sure that you have met all these requirements.

Q:Where can I get more information about impaired driving laws, ignition interlock and the reduced suspension program?

A: Please visit the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website at www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/safety/impaired: www.mto.gov.on.ca

Contact information

For more information about Back on Track or to register, please contact us by:

TELEPHONE

In Toronto: 416 595-6593

Ontario toll-free: 1 888 814-5831

Call Monday to Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to speak to a staff person; call at other times to listen to recorded information.

E-MAIL

info@remedial.net

WEBSITE

www.remedial.net

MAIL

Back on Track

33 Russell Street

Toronto, ON

M5S 2S1

Disponsible en français

Q: What is an ignition interlock condition?

A: In Ontario, penalties for all impaired driving convictions include a period following your suspension when your licence has an ignition interlock condition. During the ignition interlock period, you may only drive a vehicle that is equipped with an ignition interlock device.

Please note: You must get your licence reinstated for the ignition interlock period to begin. This rule Applies:

no matter how much time has passed since your conviction or suspension

even if you choose not to drive during the ignition interlock period.

Q: What does taking Back on Track involve?

A: Back on Track has three parts: the assessment, the education or treatment program and the six-month follow-up. What parts you need to take depends on why you are required to take Back on Track:

for a warn range suspension, you need only take the education program (if you have had two suspensions in a five-year period), or the treatment program (if you have had three or more suspensions in a five-year period)
for an impaired driving conviction, you need to complete all three parts (this includes first-time offenders who qualify for a reduced suspension)

1. ASSESSMENT

The assessment takes about one hour and determines whether you need to take the education program or the treatment program.

2. EDUCATION OR TREATMENT PROGRAM

Education Program

Topics covered in this eight-hour program include:

the 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 offence
ways to separate drinking and other drug use from driving.

Treatment Program

This 16-hour program covers the same topics as the education program and also looks at:

why people drink or use other drugs, and how it affects our lives
ways to cut down or stop your alcohol or other drug use
strategies and skills to manage mood, stress and anger
strategies and skills to communicate effectively and to live a healthy lifestyle.

3. SIX-MONTH FLLOW-UP

The follow-up interview can only be done six months after completing the education or treatment program.

Q: Where do I go for Back on Track?

A: Local providers deliver the program in various locations in Ontario. A list of providers will be sent to you once your registration has been processed.

Q: How will I get to Back on Track?

A: It’s up to you to find a way to get to the program. Most people take public transit or a taxi, or ask someone to drive them.

Q: What if I don’t speak or understand English or French well?

A: The Back on Track program is offered in English, and is also available in French in some areas. Program materials are available in English or French.

If you have difficulty reading or speaking English or French, please note this when you register. You will need to bring a translator or interpreter to the program. This person must be 18 years of age or older.

Q: What if I have difficulty hearing or reading or have other special needs?

A: If you have any special needs that may make it difficult for you to participate in the program, please note them when you register.

Q: What do I need to do to pass?

A: To pass the program, you must meet the following requirements:

Don’t use alcohol or drugs not prescribed by your doctor for 24 hours before taking the program or while attending the program.
Attend all scheduled program components and arrive on time.
Actively participate in the program.
Show that you have learned how to separate drinking and other drug use from driving.
Treat other participants and staff with respect.
Complete the required parts of the program.
If you fail the program for any of the above reasons, you will have to repeat all the steps, starting with registration and payment, and including repeating the required parts of the program. This could delay getting your licence back

Q: How much does Back on Track cost?

A: For an impaired driving conviction, the fee is $578 For a warn range suspension, the fee is $178.

Q: What happens if I do not take Back on Track?

A: You will face further licence suspensions.

Q: How do I register?

A: You can register in the following ways:

ONLINE

Visit our website at www.remedial.net

BY MAIL OR FAX

Contact the Back on Track office by phone to have the registration package mailed or faxed to you, or visit our website to print out the package. See the back of this brochure for contact information.

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