Quebec's alcohol ignition interlock device program
History
In 1997, the SAAQ introduced the alcohol ignition interlock device program to monitor drivers whose behaviour poses a risk to road safety. The goal of this program is to ensure the safety of participants and other road users. The SAAQ entrusts the management of the program to an authorized supplier, currently Smart Start, that exclusively manages rental and periodic monitoring services for SAAQ-approved alcohol ignition interlock devices for the province of Québec.
The program allows both drivers who are required to drive only vehicles equipped with an approved alcohol ignition interlock device and drivers who wish to enroll in the program as a preventive measure to keep their driving privilege. They are obligated to use the device to deter them from driving after having consumed alcohol. There are no cases where the device can cause the vehicle to stop working; it prevents a vehicle from starting when it detects alcohol on the driver’s breath.
Steps to obtain a restricted licence or a licence bearing condition x and have an approved alcohol ignition interlock device installed
To obtain a restricted licence or a licence bearing Condition X and have an approved alcohol ignition interlock device installed, follow the steps below:
To obtain a restricted licence or a licence bearing Condition X
Confirm your eligibility for these licences by consulting your SAAQclic file or calling 1800361-7620.
Make an appointment at an SAAQ service centre. You can do so through SAAQclic or by phone, or by filling out the online form at saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/make-appointment .
Go to your service centre appointment to request your licence and pay the applicable fees.
To obtain your alcohol ignition interlock device from Smart Start
Make an appointment with the authorized supplier Smart Start through their website or by calling 1844282-8300.
Go to the Smart Start service centre to sign the service agreement to rent the device and have it installed in your vehicle.
If you wish to have an approved interlock device installed on a motorcycle, you must contact Smart Start to check whether it is possible. You may need to take photos of your motorcycle.
It is necessary to have an interlock device installed in your vehicle to keep a restricted licence or a licence bearing Condition X. You have 20 days after the licence is issued to have the device installed. After that deadline, you will receive a letter informing you of the date on which your licence may be cancelled.
Restricted licence or condition X or Y?
Here is a table indicating which licence you may be eligible to obtain, depending on your situation.
| Permis | Situation |
|---|---|
| Restricted licence - Alcohol | While the driving prohibition penalties are in effect, and while your licence is revoked after the absolute driving prohibition, if applicable. |
| Driver’s licence bearing Condition X | Voluntary:
Mandatory:
|
| Driver’s licence bearing Condition Y | To replace Condition X (except for licence classes authorizing you to drive a motorcycle) if you are in one of the following situations:
|
Off-road vehicles
Did you know that you must hold a valid driver’s licence in order to operate an off-road vehicle, whether on trails or on public roads? If you hold a restricted licence or a licence bearing Condition X or Y, you are prohibited from driving any type of off-road vehicle, as they cannot be equipped with an interlock device.
You cannot obtain a restricted licence or a licence bearing condition x or y if…
another penalty appears on your driving record, or a medical assessment has revealed that you suffer from a condition that affects your ability to drive
the revoked licence is a learner's licence
Important! Before leaving Québec…
Find out if you are allowed to drive with a restricted licence in the jurisdiction where you plan to travel.
If you hold a restricted licence or a licence bearing Condition X and you drive a vehicle that is not equipped with an interlock device, you face:
the immediate seizure and impoundment of the vehicle for 30 or 90 days
a fine of $1,500 to $3,000
a 3-month licence suspension or licence revocation.
Conditions of use of an approved alcohol ignition interlock device
The conditions of use of the interlock device are in the appendices of the service agreement that you sign with the authorized supplier. You must abide by the conditions of use of your device to continue to be allowed to participate in the program. The following conditions are set by the SAAQ:
You must respect the maintenance and data collection schedule established by the authorized supplier.
You must follow the instructions displayed on the device’s screen.
You must only use the emergency function in the event of serious, unforeseen circumstances (if a person’s health or life is threatened or if the vehicle must be moved by order of a peace officer) by using a single-use access code obtained by calling 1-844-282-8300.
You must not remove or cause to remove, modify or cause to modify, deactivate or cause to deactivate the device installed in the road vehicle.
You must not attempt to circumvent, alter or remove the device.
If you are required to have a camera installed:
you must not in any way prevent photos of your face from being taken by the camera;
make sure you are always facing the camera when photos are taken.
You must, upon request, demonstrate to a peace officer that the device is in good working order.
You are responsible for any damage caused to the device.
The data collected by the device is deemed to have been generated by your use of the device, unless you can prove otherwise.
You must keep the reports produced during your participation in the program and present them to the SAAQ upon request.
You undertake not to drive a motor vehicle with any alcohol in your system.
Despite condition 4 stated above, you may only have the device removed in one of the following cases, at one of the supplier’s service outlets:
the vehicle is transferred (the vehicle has been sold, given away or discarded; the lease has ended; etc.)
the vehicle is involved in an accident
the device is defective and is being replaced
a new model approved by the SAAQ is being installed
In these cases, you must only operate road vehicles equipped with an alcohol ignition interlock device approved by the SAAQ.
To avoid before taking a test
To help you pass the test when starting your vehicle or a rolling retest, avoid consuming or handling the following foods, drinks and other products 15 to 20 minutes before taking a test. This list is not exhaustive.
Kombucha and energy drinks
Drinks labeled “non-alcoholic”
Certain spicy or sugary foods
Certain foods that contain alcohol (for example, vodka sauce)
Certain aerosol products
Hand sanitizer
Windshield washer fluid
Mouthwash
Any product, food or drink that may contain an alcohol-based ingredient
Recommandations :
Remove all food, drink and products that may contain alcohol from inside the vehicle.
Wait 15 to 20 minutes after eating or drinking before taking a test.
Rinse your mouth with plain water before taking a test.
Air out the inside of the vehicle.
Joint responsibility for an alcohol ignition interlock device
It is possible to participate in the program while sharing the responsibility for the use of the device with another person. To do so, the participants must meet the following three conditions:
Each of the participants is eligible for the program.
The participants live at the same address.
None of the participants have any active penalties or their licence suspended for medical reasons.
The request is sent to the SAAQ by the authorized supplier.
2025 contract
The contract with Smart Start starts on August 1, 2025 and includes the real-time transmission of data from the device to the SAAQ, installation on certain types of motorcycles, calibration appointments every three months, single-use access codes provided upon request in emergencies, and the possibility of an added camera being required for at-risk participants.
Transition from the 2018 contract to the 2025 contract
There is a one-year transition period between the 2018 contract and the 2025 contract, even though the supplier is the same. The participants targeted by this transition are those who signed a service agreement with Smart Start that began on July 31, 2025 and that ends after July 31, 2026.
Here are some example situations:
a restricted licence that expires after July 31, 2026
a restricted licence that expires before July 31, 2026, but that has a requirement to hold a licence bearing Condition X for a determined period (mandatory participation in the interlock device program)
a driver’s licence bearing Condition X with the mandatory period ending after July 31, 2026
a driver’s licence bearing Condition X whose holder voluntarily applied to participate in the program
A program participant may become targeted by this transition if an event pushes the end date of their participation past July 31, 2026.
Fee schedule
Accessories
If you need additional mouthpieces or to replace a mouthpiece cover or handset mount, call Smart Start customer service at 1-844-282-8300.
Service and equipment
| As of August 1, 2025 – New participants and participants subject to the 2025 contract | Participants who are not targeted by the transition and therefore subject to the 2018 contract | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | ||
| Initial installation ‒ gasoline-powered vehicle | $165 | $50 |
| Initial installation ‒ hybrid or electric vehicle | $275 | $50 |
| Initial installation ‒ motorcycle | $350 | Not applicable (n/a) |
| Subsequent installation/reinstallation | $100 | $50 |
| Installation of camera only | $20 | n/a |
| Removal at the end of the agreement | $55 | $0 |
| Camera removal | $10 | n/a |
| Monitoring Visit | ||
| Rental fees (per month) | $69.99 | $61 |
| Additional rental fees ‒ camera (per month) | $35 | n/a |
| Fees for repeat visits in a short period of time | $45 | $35 |
| Audit after failure to comply with the agreement | ||
| Failure of rolling retest | $80 | $65 |
| Use of the emergency function | $80 | $65 |
| Other program violations | $80 | $65 |
| Service without program violation | $80 | $65 |
| All other reasons | $80 | $65 |
| Other fees | ||
| Temporary disconnection (without device removal) | $20 | $60 |
| Device inspection | $80 | $65 |
| Idling option (per month) | n/a | $10 |
| Re-enrollment/program conversion | n/a | $0 |
| Rescheduling of missed installation appointment | $150 | $150 |
| Rescheduling of missed monitoring visit | $25 | $20 |
| Rescheduling of missed monitoring visit | $65 | $50 |
| Service due to disabling by code | $60 | $50 |
| Road service where applicable (per hour) | $120 | $95 |
| Road service where applicable (per km) | $1 | $0.50 |
| Replacement | ||
| Complete device | $800 | $2,200 |
| Alarm | $15 | $25 |
| Main harness | $50 | $150 |
| Flasher device | $50 | $200 |
| Spiral receiver cable | $100 | $150 |
| Interface module | $400 | $900 |
| Receiver | $400 | n/a |
| Camera (accessory only) | $300 | n/a |
| Real-time data transfer module (modem) | $300 | n/a |
| Warning light (per unit) | $50 | n/a |
Legal references
Highway Safety Code (HSC) (C-24.2 ):
Section 64.1 for respecting the conditions of use and for the issuance of a driver’s licence bearing a condition requiring the holder to only drive vehicles equipped with an approved alcohol ignition interlock device.
Last update: November 27, 2025