Responsible Driver Program
The Responsible Driver Program is a remedial program for alcohol and drug-using drivers. The Province of B.C., in partnership with Stroh Health Care, delivers the program to participants referred to them by the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
The following events on a driving record may result in a driver being referred into the program:
- One alcohol-related impaired driving conviction under the Criminal Code of Canada, (s. 249 - 261) or the Motor Vehicle Act;
- One drug-related impaired driving conviction under the Criminal Code of Canada
- One Administrative Driving Prohibition;
- One 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP);
- One 30-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition (IRP);
- Three 24-hour Prohibitions (within 5 years);
- A combination of any three of the following Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (within 5 years): 24-hour prohibition, 3-day IRP or 7-day IRP.
If this applies to you, then you will receive a letter from the Superintendent advising that you must complete the Responsible Driver Program as a condition of keeping your driver's licence or before you may regain your driving privileges.
- If your licence is currently suspended due to a Criminal Code conviction, you will be unable to re-apply for a driver's licence until you successfully complete the program.
- If you are licensed, your licence will be cancelled if you do not register with the program within 30 days and complete the program within 9 months.
- Being allowed to drive before you start the program or while you are in the program is determined on a case-by-case basis by the Superintendent’s office – the letter you receive regarding your requirement to attend the program will outline what was decided about your driving privileges.
After you pay the enrolment fee for the program, you go through a structured screening assessment interview. Based on the assessment, you are directed to one of two program components:
- An 8-hour education session in a classroom setting; or
- A 16-hour group counselling program, scheduled over a three-month period.
Upon completion of the program component you are assigned to, an assessment of your participation in the program is completed, with the results considered by the Superintendent in reaching a decision on your fitness to drive. Some drivers will be allowed to apply for a full-privilege driver's licence, while others will be required to have (or continue to drive with) an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle. Some may be found unfit to drive and not permitted to obtain a driver's licence.
If someone is denied a driver's licence they can apply for a review of that decision. See Disputes, Appeals and Reviews for information.
If you wish to seek a reconsideration of a referral to the Responsible Driver Program, see Reconsideration of a Referral to Remedial Programs.
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