Early reinstatement of driving privileges can be in the form of a special driver's licence such as:
- ignition interlock special restricted driver's licence
- Highway Traffic Board special restricted drivers licence
- provisional licence
These options are issued on the provision that you do not drink and drive.
Early reinstatement ineligibility
You are not eligible for a Highway Traffic Board special restricted or provisional driver's licence if convicted on your first offence for:
- .08 BAC
- impaired driving
- fail to comply with demand
If your 2nd or 3rd conviction is 1 of the above offences, a Highway Traffic Board special restricted or provisional driver's licence is available providing the court-ordered prohibition is served in full and the education or recovery program is completed.
Provisional or restricted drivers who drive after consuming any amount of alcohol will have the remainder of their original driver's licence suspension period reinstated and be required to attend an addiction screening and prescribed program.
Ignition interlock special restricted driver's licence
An ignition interlock special restricted driver's licence allows you to operate only vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device.
You're eligible for an ignition interlock device if:
- your conviction was for impaired driving, driving while over .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) or fail to comply with demand
- you've completed the addiction screening and prescribed program
The interlock remains on the vehicle until the ignition interlock suspension period ends. For more information, see the Ignition Interlock program page.
Highway Traffic Board special restricted driver's licence
A restricted driver's licence limits when and where you can drive. You may be granted the licence if you demonstrate that:
- the licence suspension would cause you exceptional hardship
- allowing for a restricted licence would not be contrary to public interest
You're eligible to apply to the Highway Traffic Board for a special restricted licence if you have:
- served the entire court-ordered prohibition period
- served less than half of your statutory licence suspension
- completed your education or recovery program
Restricted driving privileges expire once you've completed half of your statutory suspension. At that time, you're eligible for a provisional licence.
Provisional licence
A provisional licence grants you full driving privileges until the end of your original statutory suspension.
As long as no other suspensions exist, you're eligible for a provisional licence if you have:
- served the entire court-ordered prohibition period
- served half of your statutory licence suspension
- completed your education or recovery program
Full driving privileges are reinstated after the provisional driver's licence period or after the expiration of the suspension period and completion of the addiction screening and the education or recovery program.
