FAQ - VIC

Depending on your participant type you may have slightly different participant guidelines and access to the AIMS system. Make sure to familiarise yourself with the rules and guidelines for your specific program. Guidelines are provided on the VicRoads website

For drivers who committed their offences on or after October 2014 the main rules apply:

• You must have a BAC of zero at all times while driving
• Only drive a vehicle if it has an approved Alcohol Interlock installed which is regularly maintained by an approved supplier.
• Take all breath tests the alcohol interlock requests
• Ensure that your interlock is serviced when required under the program
• Only drive the vehicle if you have personally provided the breath sample required by the interlock
• Do not drive any motor vehicle if you know that the interlock is not working properly, or has been circumvented or interfered with
• Do not tamper with the device

You must have Zero alcohol in your system while driving (BAC 0.000). Because Alcohol Interlock Devices can detect small trace amounts of alcohol from other products, the effective limit required to operate your vehicle is BAC < 0.020. However, if a police breath test finds any amount of alcohol in your system while driving, this is considered as a serious offence.

For any questions about the program, you can contact the Victorian Alcohol Interlock Program on 1300 723 790 or email alcoholinterlocks@roads.vic.gov.au

From 1 December 2019 the Magistrates' Court no longer holds Interlock Condition Removal Orders (ICRO) hearings and no longer issues Interlock Condition Removal Orders (ICRO).

You can apply directly to VicRoads to remove the interlock 'I' condition from your licence.

Drivers who committed their offences on or after October 2015 can register with the AIMS website to help keep track of their progress in the Victorian Alcohol Interlock Program.

It is a useful tool which provides access to progress summaries and results for each month. It can also provide reminders for key activities in the removal of your Interlock condition, allow you to download your own Participant progress report, and provides a tool to help you review and contest your violations. More information can be found on the VicRoads website

From 1 December 2019, you’ll need to install an alcohol interlock before you can get your licence back.
Before applying to get your licence back you’ll need to:
Ensure that any other licence bans have ended (including medical review and demerit point suspensions).
Complete all relicensing requirements, such as: the Behaviour Change Program (BCP) and obtain an Alcohol Interlock Installation Certificate. Please ensure you bring this form to your installation.

When you do not follow the program rules this is called a violation. Violations will be recorded in your user data, and result in your program being extended. If a certain amount of violations are recorded, the device will request an unscheduled service within 7 days. Some violations can result in legal action, such as driving a vehicle without an approved Alcohol Interlock Device installed or being caught drink driving by police.

VicRoads can suspend or cancel your licence. From 1 December 2019, new regulations mean that VicRoads will be able to suspend or cancel licences for:

• failing to install an interlock
• failing to service and maintain the interlock as agreed with the supplier
• unauthorised removal of the interlock before completing the program
  

Violations include:

- Failing or missing requested breath tests:

• After failing an initial breath test (BAC recorded above 0.02) to start the vehicle, you have 60 minutes to retest successfully. Failing or missing this retest is considered a violation
• If you fail or miss a random/rolling retest (BAC recorded above 0.02) this is considered a violation. Warning lights and a horn alarm will sound once this happens. To stop the alarm, you must retest successfully in the next 10 minutes. If you fail or miss the retest this is considered a violation and the alarm will continue until the engine is turned off

- Any tampering with or circumvention of the Alcohol Interlock Device is considered a violation:

• Circumvention is when you drive a vehicle without first providing a breath sample. This is a serious violation.
• If your car battery is disconnected for 20 minutes or more this can record as a violation. When doing work on your car make sure that the mechanic is aware of this

- Missing a scheduled service.

Once violation limits have been reached the unit will display a 7 day count down. You must return for an unscheduled service within the 7 day period or the device will permanently lock and you will be required to either tow your vehicle or obtain an unlock code from Smart Start. A maximum of 2 unlock codes can be issued per service period.

You will need to contact head office for issue of the unlock code (1300 256 900).

To complete the program successfully, you will need to record no violations in your final 5 months of the program. Even a single violation recorded can cause your program to be extended for another 5 months.

• Only drive with zero BAC  
• Never use the Alcohol Interlock Device as a personal breath tester. Failed tests will be recorded and may be considered violations 
• Consider purchasing a personal breath tester. This will allow you to check your Breath Alcohol Content before attempting to drive. If you do opt for a personal breath tester, ensure that it is regularly sent for calibration to ensure accuracy  
• The Alcohol Interlock Device will continue to request tests randomly so long as the vehicle is running. Even if you have arrived at your destination, if the device asks for a breath sample you must provide it. Turning off the vehicle will be considered a refused breath test and recorded as a violation. Do not leave your car running and unattended as you may miss a breath test and record a violation  
• Avoid consuming food and drinks (apart from water) for 10 minutes prior to a breath test and at all times while driving. Before giving a breath sample, drinking water will help to remove trace amounts of alcohol from your mouth. If you believe you have provided a failed reading due to a contaminant, you are required to provide a 0.000 sample within the next 15 minutes. If no sample is provided within the timeframe, the violation will be recorded and count towards the end of program review.

You can contest a violation in AIMS or by contacting the VicRoads Support Centre for the Victorian Alcohol Interlock Program on 1300 723 790.

After you pass the initial test and the engine starts running, the device will continue to request breath samples randomly. The first random retest will occur between 5 – 15 minutes after starting the engine. After this the device will continue to request retests between 15 – 60 minutes after the previous random retest has been passed.

For drivers who committed a first offence of under .10 BAC on or after October 2014, the program will run for 6 months. For subsequent offences or offences over .10, the alcohol interlock period may be significantly longer. Make sure that you are aware of your individual program requirements.

The first month is a practice period which allows you to understand the rules of the program and how to properly use the Alcohol Interlock Device. After the practice period, you will need to complete a required amount of months in which you follow all of the program rules and guidelines. If there are months in which you do not drive your vehicle at least twice, the month will not be included. The 5 most recent months at the end of your program must be free of alcohol and tampering to complete the program.

If you do not drive the vehicle at all for 6 months in a row you will have to start collecting another 5 months of violation free data to complete the program.

If the device records alcohol in a breath sample or any other violation of rules after the practice month, your program may be extended.

After you have completed the minimum alcohol interlock period with no violations, you can apply to have the Interlock condition removed from your licence. When the condition has been successfully removed you can then book an appointment at your service centre to have the device removed from your vehicle.  ‍

VicRoads managed participants have a minimum alcohol interlock period of six months. After this period, you can apply for removal of the condition either through AIMS or by contacting the Support Centre for the VAIP on 1300 723 790.

 Once you have received your full licence, you can book a removal appointment.

It is possible to have your Interlock Device removed early without completing your interlock program. If you wish to take this option you can book a removal appointment at your service centre, and will be asked to complete an Interlock Removal Form. Keep in mind that the Interlock condition will not be removed from your licence, and you will not be able to legally drive any car without an approved Interlock Device installed.

Provided that you drive the vehicle at least twice a month, another person can attend the scheduled service in your place.

In Victoria, extension of the monthly service period can only be granted by VicRoads in special or extenuating circumstances.

If you wish to convert your interstate interlock licence to a Victorian licence, you will still have an interlock condition on your licence. To remove this condition, you will have to participate in the Victorian Alcohol Interlock Program.

  Participants with the following cards are entitled to a discount on the monthly lease and installation.

• Centrelink Health Care Card
• Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Pensioner Concession Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card