The Alcohol Interlock Program is a new court based penalty for drink drivers that commenced on 8 September 2003. The program enables drivers convicted of certain major alcohol-related offences to continue driving after a reduced disqualification period if they obtain an interlock driver licence and participate in the program.
Who is eligible?
The court will decide who is eligible to enter the program. The court will issue two orders for eligible offenders. The first order will specify the full disqualification period for the offence. The second order will specify:
- A reduced period of disqualification (the 'disqualification compliance period').
- An interlock participation period during which time the driver holds an interlock driver licence and is subject to certain licence conditions.
Participation in the program is voluntary. Those who do not obtain an interlock driver licence from the RTA will be required to serve their full disqualification period.
What is an alcohol interlock?
An alcohol interlock device is an electronic breath-testing device connected to the ignition of a vehicle. The vehicle will not start unless the driver passes a breath test.
Why is the interlock penalty being introduced?
Drink driving is a factor in approximately one in five fatal crashes. Over the five years 1998 to 2002 there were 525 people killed and 9,011 people injured as a result of a drink driving crash.
In addition many drink drivers continue to offend. Each year around 18 per cent of those convicted of drink driving have a previous drink driving conviction. Drink driving is also associated with driving while disqualified.
The interlock penalty provides drink drivers with an opportunity to rehabilitate themselves and to legally drive when they are sober.
This new penalty will help to remove drink drivers from our roads.
Drink-less program
As part of the requirements to obtain an interlock driver licence applicants must attend a consultation with a doctor no earlier than 28 days before the end of the disqualification period.
The consultation must be made with a doctor who has been trained by Sydney University to provide the Drink-less program. Contact details for trained doctors are provided in the Documents box.
The Drink-less program is a survey about alcohol use that takes around five minutes and is followed by a short discussion with the doctor. At the end of the discussion the doctor will give you a pocket-sized self-help Drink-less booklet.
You cannot pass or fail the Drink-less program. It is designed to provide interlock driver licence applicants with the opportunity to discuss alcohol issues with a doctor.
The Alcohol Interlock Program Information Package includes a Drink-less certificate for the doctor to sign. Interlock licence applicants must take the certificate to the consultation. At the completion of the consultation, the doctor will sign this certificate.
The Drink-less medical certificate is submitted at the motor registry as part of the application for an interlock driver licence.
All costs associated with the medical consultations must be paid by the applicant.
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