The Driver Improvement & Control Program aims to make Manitoba’s roads safer for all by striving to prevent unsafe driving behaviours from becoming habits and breaking unsafe habits that are already established.
Driver Improvement & Control identifies drivers through the accumulation of convictions (including reprimands), at-fault collisions, administrative licence suspensions, and serious driving offence charges.
Types of interventions
The program can intervene in different ways. How it intervenes depends on the driver and their unsafe driving behaviour. Interventions are determined solely on driver experience and the severity and frequency of the driver’s involvement.
The following are examples of possible interventions:
- An advisory or warning letter
- A requirement to complete a driver improvement course
- A full driving record review with possible driver licence sanctions including:
— Driver improvement course
— Driver examination
— Licence suspension
— Any combination of above
Driver improvement courses
Any course you may be required to complete will be clearly identified in a letter. To register, contact:
- Novice Driver Workshop: Safety Services Manitoba
- Responsible Driver Workshop: Safety Services Manitoba
- Defensive Driver Course:
— Safety Services Manitoba
— Abbey Road Driver Training at 204-453-9160 or toll-free 1-877-453-9160
Driving record review
Driver Fitness will review traffic convictions, at-fault collisions, administrative licence suspensions, and serious driving offence charges. A decision will be made by a reviewing officer based on, but not limited to, the frequency, and overall seriousness of incidents on your driving record. All information, including police reports and traffic accident reports, is considered.
Outcomes from a full record review include:
- No further action (no suspension or requirements)
- Driver safety course
- Driver examination
- Suspension
- A combination of the above
If your licence has been suspended following a driving record review, you are entitled to a hearing to explain, or show cause, as to why your licence should not be suspended. Alternatively, you may appeal on the grounds of exceptional hardship.
Show cause hearing
If you have been suspended as a result of a driving record review, and wish to show cause as to why your licence should not be suspended, you must contact Driver Fitness. Show cause hearings may be conducted in-person or you may choose to provide a written submission. It should be noted that hardship or your need for a licence will not be considered.
In-person hearings
An in-person show cause hearing is conducted with a reviewing officer and you will have an opportunity to explain, or show cause, as to why your licence should not be suspended based on your current driving record.
Written submission
If you choose to provide a written submission, it must include your name, driver’s licence number, an explanation of your driving record, and the reasons you feel your licence should not be suspended. Please send your written submission to Driver Fitness.
Show cause outcomes
Outcomes of an in-person hearing or written submission include:
- No action (meaning no suspension or requirements)
- Driver safety course
- Driver examinations
- Suspension
- Any combination of the above
If you have any questions or inquiries, contact Driver Fitness.