An alcohol interlock is an electronic breath testing device, wired to the ignition system of a vehicle. Alcohol interlocks can be fitted to motorcycles, cars and trucks. A vehicle fitted with an alcohol interlock will not start unless the driver passes a breath test. Alcohol interlocks may be imposed as a condition of your licence when you are re-issued with your licence.

Alcohol interlocks have been introduced since 1 January 2007 for first time drink driving offenders under 26 years of age or on their probationary driver licence. A magistrate may impose an alcohol interlock condition for drink driving offences where the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is between 0.07% and .15%. If the BAC is above .15% the alcohol interlock condition is mandatory. There is a requirement to fit these devices once they are re licensed.

If you are required to have an alcohol interlock device, you will be required to pay all costs involved in having the alcohol interlock.

How to get your interlock condition removed from your licence
The interlock condition is not removed from your licence automatically. To have the interlock condition removed you will need to obtain an Interlock Condition Removal Order from a Magistrates’ Court.

Approximately 6 weeks before you are due to have the interlock condition removed, you should contact:

• a driver education agency to arrange for your final assessment and assessment report. The assessment must be held after you have finished your alcohol interlock condition period. Contact DIRECT Line 1800 888 236 for details of approved driver education agencies.
• your interlock provider to advise them of the name of your driver education agency, the proposed date for your assessment and provide written authority to release information to the assessor. When you have finished your alcohol interlock period, your interlock provider will send reports on your use of the interlock to your driver education agency.
• a Magistrates' Court to sign your application for an Interlock Condition Removal Order and book your court hearing. You will need to book your hearing date for at least 28 days after your application is signed by the court. Your hearing must also be held after you have finished your alcohol interlock condition period and several days after you have completed your final assessment to allow time for your assessment report to be prepared and sent to the Court in time for your hearing.

Then:

• The Magistrates’ Court will notify Victoria Police of your application and a Police officer will interview you before your court hearing.

Magistrates' Court
The court will not remove your alcohol interlock condition automatically. You must show that you have complied with the alcohol interlock condition on your licence.

Before granting the Interlock Condition Removal Order, the court will consider:

• your use of the interlock
• your assessment report
• police evidence

Getting the condition removed from your licence card
Once you have got your Interlock Condition Removal Order from the Court, you need to:

• visit a VicRoads Customer Service Centre (Mon-Thu 8.30am - 4.30pm; Fri 8.30am - 5.00pm)
• present your Interlock Condition Removal Order
• bring your driver licence as evidence of identity. If you do not have your driver licence, you need to bring original evidence of identity documents. You must provide:

1. one primary evidence document (eg. birth certificate or passport)
2. one secondary evidence document (eg. Medicare card, credit/account card, student identity card, bank statement)
3. evidence of residence (if not indicated in the primary or secondary documents)

One of these documents must have your signature on it.
For a full list of documents that can be used to prove your identity, see evidence of identity.

Fees
There are no fees involved in getting the interlock condition removed from your licence.

Please note: your interlock provider will charge a fee to remove the alcohol interlock device from your vehicle.

Alcohol Interlock providers
The two approved suppliers of alcohol interlocks for Victoria are:

Draeger Safety Pacific
Unit 99/45 Gilby Road
Mount Waverley Vic 3149

Tel: 1300 780 689
Fax: 1800 647 484
Email: customer.service@draeger.com

Guardian Interlock Systems Australasia Pty Ltd
22/35 Garden Road
Clayton North, Vic 3168

Tel: 1300 881 005
Fax: (02) 8850 7647
Email: interlocks@bigpond.com