Alcohol ignition interlocks

The Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program applies to drivers who are convicted of high-risk drink driving offences. The interlock program aims to help drink drivers separate drinking and driving when they get their licence back.

High-risk drink driving offences

You need to participate in the interlock program if you commit and are convicted of any of the following offences:

drive, or attempt to put in motion or be in charge of a vehicle under the influence of alcohol
drive, or attempt to put in motion or be in charge of a vehicle with a blood/breath alcohol concentration of:
- 0.15 or more
- 0.10 or more (offences committed on or after 10 September 2021)
failing to provide a blood/breath specimen for analysis
dangerous driving while affected by alcohol
2 or more drink driving offences within the 5 years.

From Friday 10 September 2021 there are 2 interlock programs with different requirements:

Performance-based interlock program
Time-based interlock program

You will be in the performance-based interlock program if:

you were convicted of a high-risk drink driving offence before 9 September 2021 and your licence disqualification ends on or after 9 September 2021

or
you are convicted of a high-risk drink driving offence on or after 9 September 2021.

If you don't participate you can't drive for 5 years from the end of your disqualification (or the date you were issued a work licence).

Find out more about the performance-based program.

You will be in the time-based interlock program if:

You were convicted of a high-risk drink driving offence before 9 September 2021 and your licence disqualification ended before 9 September 2021.

If you don't participate you can't drive for 2 years from the end of your disqualification.

Find out more about the time-based program.

To find out the date that your licence was disqualified and how long it was disqualified for, refer to the period of disqualification on your court order.

You need to have an interlock device installed in the vehicle you drive during your time in the interlock program. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help with interlock costs.

You must meet strict eligibility criteria to apply for an interlock exemption.