Alcohol ignition interlocks
Participating in the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program
You will need to participate in the interlock program if you are convicted of a high-risk drink driving offence and your licence is disqualified.
The interlock program is a performance-based program where your interlock use is monitored and data from your interlock will be sent to us. Your interlock data will need to show that all breath tests have been provided and returned 'no alcohol' readings, and that all scheduled interlock services have been attended—otherwise your time in the program will be extended.
How long am I in the interlock program?
You will need to be in the interlock program for a minimum of 12 months. You are eligible to participate from:
- the day after your driving disqualification ends
or
- the day a court grants you a restricted licence (work licence).
If you do not follow the rules your time in the interlock program will be longer than 12 months.
If you choose not to participate in the interlock program, you won't be able to drive for 5 years from the end of your disqualification (or the date you were granted a work licence).
Find out more about the performance-based program (PDF, 282KB).
How to participate in the program
Under the interlock program you have 2 parts to complete:
- Learning period – the first 8 months of the program
- Performance period – last 4 months of the program
To participate in the program, you must:
- hold a current licence with an interlock condition (your licence must not be expired, cancelled or suspended)
- only drive a nominated vehicle with an interlock installed*
- have a ‘no alcohol’ limit when driving
- attend all interlock service appointments
- not attempt to tamper with or bypass the interlock.
*You are allowed to drive a vehicle without an interlock fitted when you are:
- receiving driver training with an accredited driving school in a vehicle provided by the school
- taking a practical driving test.
During your performance period your use of the interlock will be monitored. If your interlock detects alcohol, or you have a permanent lockout due to a missed scheduled interlock service, your:
- interlock provider will tell us
- 4-month performance period will restart (every time)
- time in the interlock program will be extended.
Interlock service appointments
You must get your interlock serviced so that we can check you are following the performance-based program rules.
You must take your vehicle to have the interlock serviced:
- 1 month after the interlock is installed
- then every 3 months during the program
- at the end of the program (if you don't have a WiFi interlock).
You may choose to have your interlock serviced more frequently. The interlock will remind you when the service is due. If you miss an interlock service, you will receive a permanent lockout. If this occurs during your 4-month performance period, the performance period will be restarted and your time in the interlock program will be extended.
More information about interlocks
Completing the interlock program
Before you can complete the interlock program you must:
- participate for a minimum of 12 months
- have your interlock data verified by us
- complete the repeat drink driving course (if required).
Verifying your interlock data
Your interlock provider needs to send us your data. We will send you a notice letting you know when it's time to request this. Your provider will send us the data after you make the request, which may take a few days.
Once we have checked your interlock data, we will send you a notice to let you know:
- you have successfully completed the interlock program
or
- your performance period has been restarted.
Removing an interlock device
Before you remove the interlock from your vehicle, you should wait until you have received a program completion notice. If you choose to remove the interlock before receiving the notice and you haven't completed the program, you will need to pay to reinstall it.
In this guide:
- Participating in the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program
- Getting an interlock
- Approved interlock providers
- Financial assistance for the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program
- Exemptions in the Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program