An ignition interlock is not just a condition on your licence. It is a monthly bill, usually for a year or more. If a court or your licensing agency has told you that you need one, here is what drivers pay in each province, based on the fees provinces publish, and how to keep the total down.
The short answer
In most provinces, plan on roughly $70 to $100 a month for the device, plus a one-time program or administration fee and, in some provinces, an installation and removal charge. For a one-year term, most drivers pay somewhere between about $1,000 and $1,500 in interlock costs alone. That does not include fines, lawyer fees, higher insurance or a reinstatement fee.
Interlock costs by province
These figures come from official provincial program pages. Prices change, and most exclude GST or other taxes, so always confirm with your licensing agency and the approved provider in your province before you book.
| Province | Install | Monthly | Removal | Program fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | No charge | $98 + GST | No charge | $63 application + registry fee; $209 reinstatement |
| British Columbia | No charge (motorcycles $250) | Set by Smart Start | Not listed | $150 administration |
| Manitoba | Not listed | $99 monitoring | Not listed | $250 administration |
| Quebec | $165 to $350 | $69.99 | $55 (removal and file closure) | Plus SAAQ licence and assessment costs |
| Ontario | Not published | About $100+ (law firm estimate) | Not published | Set by the province |
Alberta
Alberta posts the clearest price list. Installation and removal are free for regular vehicles (heavy trucks and specialty vehicles pay extra), the monthly rental is $98 plus GST, the program application is $63 plus the registry agent fee, and the alcohol-related reinstatement fee is $209. On a 12-month term, the device rental alone comes to about $1,176 plus GST.
If you have a DUI in Alberta and need legal help, start here: albertaduilawyers.com. You’ll also find a Alberta treatment guide and a guide to DUI car insurance in Alberta there.
British Columbia
British Columbia charges no installation fee for cars and a $150 administration fee. The monthly fee is set by the provider, Smart Start. BC also lists an Affordability Plan with weekly, interest-free payments, and a No Barriers plan that cuts basic installation and monitoring fees in half for a limited number of eligible people on income assistance.
If you have a DUI in British Columbia and need legal help, start here: britishcolumbiaduilawyers.com. You’ll also find a British Columbia treatment guide and a guide to DUI car insurance in British Columbia there.
Manitoba
Manitoba Public Insurance lists a $250 administration charge and a $99 monthly monitoring charge, and you must stay in the program for at least 365 days after your suspension ends. That works out to about $1,440 for the first year.
If you have a DUI in Manitoba and need legal help, start here: manitobaduilawyers.com. You’ll also find a Manitoba treatment guide and a guide to DUI car insurance in Manitoba there.
Quebec
The SAAQ lists installation at $165 to $350, monthly rental at $69.99, and $55 to remove the device and close your file. A one-year term comes to roughly $1,060 to $1,250 before tax. The SAAQ estimates that a first impaired driving offence costs at least $5,000 once fines, assessments and the new licence are added.
If you have a DUI in Quebec and need legal help, start here: quebecduilawyers.com. You’ll also find a Quebec treatment guide and a guide to DUI car insurance in Quebec there.
Ontario
Ontario does not publish interlock prices on its program page. One Ontario impaired driving law firm estimates about $100 a month or more for monitoring and rental, and warns of charges of $1,000 or more if the device is lost, stolen or damaged, and an early termination fee. Ask both approved Ontario providers for a written quote and compare.
If you have a DUI in Ontario and need legal help, start here: ontarioduilawyers.com. You’ll also find a Ontario treatment guide there and a guide to getting a deal on DUI car insurance in Ontario.
Costs drivers forget
- Taxes: most listed prices exclude GST or HST.
- Lost or damaged device: you are usually responsible for the unit while it is in your vehicle.
- Missed service visits: skipping a calibration appointment can mean extra fees or a lockout.
- Program extensions: failed tests or violations can add months, and each extra month is another monthly fee.
- Insurance: premiums usually rise after an impaired driving conviction.
How to keep the total down
- Book your installation as soon as you are eligible, so your term starts on time.
- Never drink before driving, even the night before. Every failed test risks an extension.
- Keep every service appointment.
- Ask your provider about payment plans before you sign.
- Talk to a lawyer early. The outcome of your case can change how long you need an interlock.
The three things that get you through this
The interlock is only one part of getting your life back on track after an impaired driving charge. The drivers who come out of it in the best shape usually get three things right.
1. A good DUI lawyer
A good impaired driving lawyer can change the outcome of your case, and with it how long you need an interlock and how much you pay overall. Talk to one before you plead guilty or sign anything. In Canada, find a local lawyer on our sister sites for Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Yukon. In the United States, DrunkDrivingAttorneys.com helps you find a DUI attorney, and DriversLicenseRestorers.com helps you get your driver’s licence back after a revocation.
2. Treatment
Getting help with alcohol is the surest way to avoid failed tests and program extensions, and courts and licensing agencies take it seriously. Each of our Canadian sites has a free page listing addiction treatment centres in that province, and attending treatment can also strengthen your case.
Find free treatment information for your province:
- Addiction treatment in Ontario
- Addiction treatment in British Columbia
- Addiction treatment in Alberta
- Addiction treatment in Saskatchewan
- Addiction treatment in Manitoba
- Addiction treatment in Quebec
- Addiction treatment in Nova Scotia
- Addiction treatment in Yukon
3. Car insurance you can actually afford
After an impaired driving conviction, insurance rates usually jump, and many drivers end up choosing between their insurance bill and groceries. Shop around. Some insurers specialize in drivers with a conviction, and the difference between quotes can be hundreds of dollars a year. The goal is an insurer that keeps you legal on the road and still leaves enough in your budget for groceries and gas.
Insurance works differently in every province. Our free guides explain the rules and how to find a deal in yours:
- DUI car insurance in Ontario
- DUI car insurance in British Columbia
- DUI car insurance in Alberta
- DUI car insurance in Saskatchewan
- DUI car insurance in Manitoba
- DUI car insurance in Quebec
- DUI car insurance in Nova Scotia
- DUI car insurance in Yukon
Frequently asked questions
How much does an ignition interlock cost per month in Canada?
Monthly fees on official provincial pages run from about $70 in Quebec to about $99 in Manitoba and Alberta, before tax. Ontario does not publish a price, and One Ontario impaired driving law firm estimates roughly $100 a month or more.
Is there a fee to install or remove the interlock?
It depends on the province. Alberta and British Columbia list no installation charge for regular vehicles, and Alberta lists no removal charge. Quebec lists $165 to $350 to install and $55 to remove the device and close the file.
Who pays for the interlock?
The driver pays. Every Canadian program is user-pay, so the installation, monthly monitoring and removal fees go to the approved provider, and program fees go to the province.
Can I get help paying for an interlock?
In British Columbia, the program lists a payment plan with weekly payments and no interest, and a reduced-fee plan for some people on income assistance. Ask your provider what is available in your province.
Sources: Alberta.ca, RoadSafetyBC, Manitoba Public Insurance, SAAQ and Kruse Law (Ontario estimate). Checked November 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.