The WA Alcohol Interlock Scheme aims to reduce the road safety risk posed by drink drivers by introducing a mandatory, user pays, performance-based scheme in which alcohol interlock devices provide separation of drinking and driving behaviour.
Alcohol interlock service providers
Locate a service provider by interlock device type.
WA Alcohol Interlock Scheme
The WA Alcohol Interlock Scheme aims to reduce the road safety risk posed by drink drivers by introducing a mandatory, user pays, performance based scheme in which alcohol interlock devices provide separation of drinking and driving behaviour.
A driver, who commits and is convicted of an alcohol interlock offence in Western Australia on or after 24 October 2016, will be known as an 'alcohol offender'. An alcohol offender who is subsequently granted a driver's licence will have their licence endorsed with an interlock condition and will be known as an 'interlock-restricted driver'.
An interlock-restricted driver may only drive a vehicle fitted with an approved alcohol interlock.
The interlock condition will only be removed from a person's driver's licence when they have participated for a minimum period of time and demonstrated the separation of drinking and driving behaviour for a continuous 180 day period immediately prior to exiting the scheme by satisfying all requirements of the scheme.
What is an alcohol interlock?
Alcohol interlocks are electronic breath analysis devices installed in vehicles that prevent the vehicle from being operated unless a breath sample is provided for analysis by the interlock. The alcohol interlock will prevent the vehicle from being started if the interlock detects alcohol equal to or greater than the pre-set 0.02% Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit in the driver's breath sample provided for analysis. Randomly timed breath tests must be provided when prompted by the interlock whilst driving a vehicle.
Note: Although the interlock is set at 0.02% BAC, alcohol offenders and interlock-restricted drivers are legally required to have a zero percentage BAC when driving. This requirement will remain until you successfully complete the Scheme.
The alcohol interlock records every breath sample provided and any attempt to tamper with the interlock. This information is used to monitor the separation of drinking and driving behaviour and determine if there has been a breach of the scheme requirements.
Only alcohol interlocks approved by the Chief Executive Officer Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA, can be used by an interlock-restricted driver in Western Australia.
Alcohol interlock offences
On or after the 24th October 2016 if a person commits and is convicted in Western Australia of any of the following alcohol interlock offences they will be required to participate in the Alcohol Interlock Scheme. On conviction the person will be disqualified from driving and any driver's licence and/or learners permit held by that person will be cancelled.
| Item | Road Traffic Act 1974 offences | Application to Alcohol Interlock Scheme |
|---|---|---|
|
a |
Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle (Section 63(1)(a) or (c)) |
All convictions |
|
b |
Dangerous Driving causing death or grievous bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol or alcohol and drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle (Section 59(1)(a) or (bb)) |
All convictions |
|
c |
Dangerous Driving causing bodily harm while under the influence of alcohol or alcohol & drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle (Section 59A(1)(a) or (1)(bb)) |
All convictions |
|
d |
Failure to comply with requirement to provide a sample of Breath, Blood or Urine sample (Section 67(2)(a)(b)(c) or (d)) |
All convictions |
|
e |
Driving with a blood alcohol content of or above 0.08 (Section 64(1)) |
Where the person has been convicted of a previous offence under (a) to (g) in the preceding 5 years |
|
f |
Driving with blood alcohol content of or above 0.05 (Section 64AA(1)) |
Where the person has been convicted of a previous offence under (a) to (g) in the preceding 5 years |
|
g |
Driving with a blood alcohol content of or above 0.02 (Section 64A(1) & (4)) |
Where the person has been convicted of a previous offence under (a) to (g) in the preceding 5 years |
Grant of an interlock-restricted licence
Alcohol offenders, on the grant of a driver's licence, will automatically have their licence endorsed with an interlock condition, unless they qualify for an exemption.
A fee is payable to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure - Driver and Vehicle Services upon the grant of an interlock-restricted licence to an alcohol offender.
Additional fees and charges associated with installing and servicing of approved alcohol interlocks must be paid by the participant to the Accredited Service Providers and/or Agents.
Refer to the Alcohol interlock - fee section for more details.
Interlock-restricted drivers can only drive motor vehicles fitted with an approved alcohol interlock installed in the vehicle by an accredited service provider.
Applications for a driver's licence can be made at Driver and Vehicle Services Licensing Centres or regional agents. You will need to bring with you your proof of identity.
Exemptions
An alcohol offender may be eligible for an exemption from the Alcohol Interlock Scheme if the Chief Executive Officer, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA is satisfied the person;
- Resides in a place that is more than 150 kilometres from any premises at which services of an accredited service provider are provided. (Distance is calculated in a straight line to the boundary of the property);
- Has a medical condition which prevents the person from operating an approved alcohol interlock. Evidence from a general practitioner (GP) or medical specialist is required as part of the exemption application process.
Distance exemptions
On the grant of the interlock restricted licence the Chief Executive Officer will immediately assess whether you are eligible for a distance exemption. If eligible, you will be granted a driver's licence without the interlock condition.
If you are granted an interlock restricted licence and later move to an area that is more than 150 kilometres away from the nearest accredited service provider, you can make an application for an exemption from the scheme based on distance. Applications for exemptions on distance grounds must be made on the 'Exemption from Alcohol Interlock Scheme' (Form E3) and evidence of your new address will be required as part of the application. If you have been granted an exemption and later move to an area that is within 150 kilometres of a service provider or if a service provider becomes available in your area, you may no longer be considered as exempt person. The exemption will also be removed if your driver’s licence is cancelled.
Medical exemptions
Applications for exemptions on medical grounds must be made on the 'Exemption from Alcohol Interlock Scheme' (Form E3). Your medical practitioner will need to complete the relevant sections, attach any supporting information and submit the report to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure. The Department will review your medical practitioners' recommendations and advise you in writing of the outcome.
Installation of an approved alcohol interlock devices
Interlock-restricted drivers will need to contact an accredited service provider for the installation of an approved alcohol interlock.
Remember you cannot drive yourself to an accredited service provider, a friend or family member will need to take you. Only after you have had an approved alcohol interlock installed in your vehicle can you legally drive on the road.
The alcohol interlock scheme is a user pays scheme and all other fees and charges associated with the Scheme must be paid by the individual to the Accredited Service Providers and/or Agents.
Each individual must cover all costs associated for use of the interlock device including: installation, rental, servicing and removal costs.
The minimum total estimated cost over six months is $1,600. This estimate is subject to change. In some circumstances further costs may apply.
Note: Driving a vehicle without an approved alcohol interlock installed is an offence against section 49 of the Road Traffic Act 1974 - driving while unlicensed or disqualified and may result in a fine, a period of disqualification and possible imprisonment. In addition, a police officer is required to impound the vehicle in the commission of such an offence.
Accredited Service Providers
The following companies are approved as Accredited Service Providers in Western Australia.
Approved alcohol interlock devices
- Affordable Interlock Systems - Alcolock LR
- Ajen-Smart Start - SSI 20/20 and SSI 20/30
- Dräger - Interlock 7000 and 7500
- Guardian - SSI 20/30
- LifeSafer Australia - Lifesafer L250
Prospective alcohol interlock service agents
If you are interested in becoming a service agent, approved to install alcohol interlock devices, please contact the providers below for further information.
Options for interlock-restricted drivers
Under the Alcohol Interlock Scheme (the Scheme) if you are granted a WA driver’s licence granted with the ‘I’ interlock condition you will be an interlock-restricted driver. Interlock-restricted drivers can only drive vehicles fitted with an approved alcohol interlock from an accredited service provider.
Demonstrate separation of drinking and driving behaviour to exit the Scheme
Interlock-restricted drivers may, under the Scheme, demonstrate to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure their separation of drinking and driving behaviour. To do this you must enter into an approved interlock contract with an accredited service provider for the leasing, installation and periodical inspection of an approved alcohol interlock.
You will be required to personally present your relevant (nominated) vehicle under the interlock contract for all accredited service provider services, including scheduled inspections every month to have data downloaded from the interlock. Data downloaded from the interlock will be assessed by the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure to monitor your drinking and driving behaviour. Failing to attend in person may result in a breach of the Scheme, restarting your minimum restricted driving period.
You must comply with all the requirements of the Scheme including, as an interlock restricted driver, a period to demonstrate the separation of drinking and driving behaviour for a minimum of 180 continuous days immediately prior to exiting the Scheme. Upon your successful completion of the Scheme, the interlock condition will be removed from your driver's licence and your status as an interlock-restricted driver and an alcohol offender will be revoked.
Driving with an approved Alcohol Interlock installed
As an interlock restricted driver, if you are unable to, under an approved interlock contract, provide a relevant vehicle and meet the inspection schedule for the minimum restricted driving period (such as work away commitments) you will by law, only be permitted to drive a vehicle fitted with an approved alcohol interlock installed by an accredited service provider. An approved alcohol interlock may be leased from an accredited service provider. You will be required to attend the accredited service provider at regular intervals for inspection and calibration of the interlock.
The interlock condition will remain on your driver's licence indefinitely and your status as an alcohol offender and interlock-restricted driver will remain. To exit the Alcohol Interlock Scheme, you will need to demonstrate the separation of your drinking and driving behaviour by entering into an approved interlock contract with an Accredited Service Provider that provides scheduled interlock data to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure and successfully complete all the requirements of the Scheme.
Note: Although the interlock is set at 0.02% BAC (Blood Alcohol Content), alcohol offenders and interlock-restricted drivers are legally required to have a zero percentage BAC when driving. This requirement will remain until you successfully complete the Scheme.
Note: Driving a vehicle without proper authorisation is an offence. Significant penalties apply to alcohol offenders and interlock restricted drivers including a fine, imprisonment, disqualification from holding a driver’s licence and vehicle impounding.
Alcohol interlock fee
A fee is payable to the Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure - Driver and Vehicle Services upon the grant of an interlock-restricted licence to an alcohol offender.
The alcohol interlock scheme is a user pays scheme and all other fees and charges associated with the Scheme must be paid by the individual to the Accredited Service Providers and/or Agents.
Each individual must cover all costs associated for use of the interlock device including: installation, rental, servicing and removal costs.
The minimum total estimated cost over six months is $1,600. This estimate is subject to change. In some circumstances further costs may apply.
Contact your nearest accredited service provider for more information on applicable fees and charges.
Fees
| Fee description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Interlock driver's licence condition | $231.40 |
Completing the Alcohol Interlock Scheme
Participants in the WA Alcohol Interlock Scheme can only exit the scheme when they have demonstrated the separation of drinking and driving behaviour.
The following criteria must be satisfied:
- Completed the minimum restricted driving period;
- Any period of disqualification has ended (if applicable);
- Completed Alcohol Assessment and Treatment (if applicable).
- For queries regarding Alcohol Assessment and Treatment please refer to the Mental Health Commission website below or contact the Mental Health Commission on (08) 6553 0600.
- Demonstrated the separation of drinking and driving for a continuous period of 180 days (no breach events recorded).
Demonstrating the separation of drinking and driving can only be completed immediately prior to exiting the Scheme. The periods are listed below:
- Permanently disqualified alcohol offenders granted an extraordinary licence - in the last 180 days of the 3 year restricted driving period.
- Disqualified alcohol offenders granted an extraordinary licence - in the last 180 days the extraordinary licence was granted.
- Driver's licence holders (not previously granted an extraordinary licence) - a continuous 180 days immediately after being granted their driver's licence.
Upon being satisfied that the above criteria has been met, the Chief Executive Officer, Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure WA will:
- Remove the interlock condition from your driver's licence;
- Notify you in writing of the successful completion of the WA Alcohol Interlock Scheme and that you may have the approved alcohol interlock removed from your vehicle by an accredited service provider.
Note: If you are convicted of a subsequent alcohol interlock offence and your licence is cancelled you will be required to complete the scheme again.
Q&As
All drivers who commit and are convicted in Western Australia of an alcohol interlock offence on or after 24 October 2016 are required to participate in the Scheme.
If you are interested in becoming an agent of an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) approved to install alcohol interlock devices, please contact any of the above ASP for further information.
An alcohol interlock will prevent the vehicle from being started if the interlock detects blood alcohol content (BAC) equal to or greater than the pre-set 0.02% in the driver’s breath sample provided for analysis.
Interlocks approved for use in WA have physical and functional elements which prevent the device from being bypassed. It is an offence to tamper or circumvent or attempt to tamper or circumvent the operation of an interlock or to cause or permit another person to do so. The penalty for doing so is $2500.
- Maintain a valid authorisation to drive i.e. do not have their driver’s licence suspended, cancelled or let it expire.
- Only drive a vehicle in which a properly functioning, approved alcohol interlock has been installed by an accredited servicer provider.
- Any breaches recorded by an alcohol interlock will be attributed to the interlock-restricted driver contracted to use that device.
Breaching the above requirements may result in an extension to a driver’s restricted driving period and may require participation in alcohol assessment and treatment delivered by the Mental Health Commission.
Alcohol offenders and interlock-restricted drivers are legally required to have a zero percentage BAC when driving. This requirement will remain until you successfully complete the Scheme.
Every time the interlock registers a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) equal to or greater than 0.02% it records a trigger and the ignition is locked. If your initial BAC reading is between 0.02% and 0.05% BAC, you will be locked out from starting the vehicle for 5 minutes. If your initial BAC reading is 0.05% or over, you will be locked out from starting the vehicle for 30 minutes. If you fail a retest, regardless of the BAC reading you will be locked out from starting the vehicle for 30 minutes.
In some instances, an inaccurate alcohol reading may occur due to the consumption or use of products which may contain alcohol or potentially enhance the alcohol reading. These products can include but not limited to hand sanitiser, perfume or cologne, mouthwash, hairspray, medication and certain food. These products generate high levels of BAC readings only for a short period of time. It is recommended that a period of at least 20 minutes has passed before providing another breath sample.
Note: Any failed breath test recorded on the interlock device will be attributed to the interlock-restricted driver, regardless of who provided the breath sample.
Failure to provide the breath sample within the specified timeframe is recorded as a breach and will trigger the vehicles hazard lights and horn until the breath sample is provided or the ignition is turned off. If the ignition is turned off without providing a sample the driver will still be required to provide a sample prior to re-starting the vehicle. It is recommended the vehicle is brought to a stop in a safe location to provide a breath sample.
Yes, if you own or drive more than one vehicle, you may install an approved alcohol interlock in each vehicle. Only the data from one interlock will be used to monitor your compliance with the Scheme. You must nominate which vehicle is installed with the interlock that will be monitored for the purposes of the Scheme.
When the interlock is installed, the provider will place warning sticker/s in the engine bay (near the battery) advising that the accredited service provider must be contacted prior to any service or repair being undertaken, that may result in power to the interlock being disconnected.
If the power supply to the approved alcohol interlock is disconnected (including a flat battery), the interlock will record this as a tampering event which will result in a breach of the Scheme. If the participants vehicle requires servicing or repair, they must inform the mechanic or repairer that the vehicle is fitted with an interlock prior to any work being performed.
The Interlock Restricted licence holder is required to maintain a licensed roadworthy vehicle during their Restricted Driving Period.
If the interlock is removed from the vehicle prior to completing the Scheme, the current restricted driving period will terminate and a new restricted driving period will commence from the date you have an interlock installed in a nominated vehicle by an ASP. If a nominated vehicle is replaced with another vehicle for any reason, the interlock must be removed and reinstalled in the replacement vehicle on the same day. If the approved interlock isn’t reinstalled on the same day this is a breach of the requirements of the Scheme. A further 180 continuous days (without any breaches) will be the minimum period before the new restricted driving period can be completed.
Alcohol Interlocks can be purchased privately and installed into any vehicle. Private individuals, employers or companies may choose to install a device to reduce insurance premiums, safeguard their drivers and their vehicles. When purchasing an alcohol interlock, you will need to decide whether you purchase an;
- Approved alcohol interlock device from an accredited service provider
- Off the shelf model (not approved for the alcohol interlock scheme).
If the interlocked vehicle is not presented for a scheduled inspection, the interlock will permanently lock out the vehicle ignition preventing it from being started seven days after the scheduled inspection date. In the event of permanent lockout an override code must be purchased from your ASP to unlock the vehicle ignition, and the vehicle must be presented for an inspection within a limited time determined by the ASP. If the vehicle is not presented within the specified time frame it will re-enter the permanent lock out mode.
Yes, only on one occasion, this will be recorded. Participants are required to personally present their interlocked vehicle for every scheduled inspection for the duration of their participation in the Scheme. Failure to attend in person on more than one occasion may result in an extension to the restricted driving period and/or a requirement to attend Alcohol Assessment and Treatment.
There are no exemptions from the requirement to complete alcohol assessment and treatment.
Trained alcohol and drug counsellors provide services throughout Western Australia.
Call the Mental Health Commission’s Alcohol Interlock Scheme Booking Service on 1800 722 362 between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm for information on what services are provided in your location.
Yes. You can attend your nearest licensing centre or regional agent and request the Interlock condition to be added to your driver’s licence.
You should read the Alcohol Interlock Scheme participant manual prior to making the application to ensure you are aware of all the requirements to complete the scheme.
New residents to WA If you are relocating to WA to live you will need to make an application for the grant of a WA driver’s licence, you may be granted a WA interlock-restricted driver’s licence.
Note: Any previous participation in another jurisdictions alcohol interlock scheme or program cannot be recognised in WA.
Visitors If you are a visitor in WA and have an interlock-restricted licence from the eastern states you should contact your home state licensing authority to find out what the rules are while you are travelling.
Drivers with an interlock restricted extraordinary licence must comply with any conditions the court has imposed on the routes and times at which the person is authorised to drive. Interlock restricted extraordinary licence holders are permitted to drive vehicles to attend scheduled services but must drive via the most direct convenient route to the premises of the service provider. This provision will not show on the extraordinary licence as it is provided for in the Road Traffic (Authorisation to Drive) Regulations 2014.
If a person is convicted in WA of a subsequent alcohol interlock offence, they will be required to complete the scheme again.
No, an interlock-restricted driver can only drive or learn to drive in a vehicle fitted with an approved alcohol interlock.
Participants in the Scheme can only exit when they have satisfied the CEO of Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure of the following:
- Completed the minimum participation period.
- Completed alcohol assessment and treatment (if applicable).
- Demonstrated the separation of drinking and driving for a continuous period of a minimum 180 days (no breach events recorded).
The period of time a participant in the Scheme is required to have an interlock installed in their vehicle is referred to as the restricted driving period. The minimum restricted driving periods are:
- Permanently disqualified alcohol offenders who have been granted an extraordinary licence – three (3) years.
- Disqualified alcohol offenders who have been granted an extraordinary licence – the duration of the extraordinary licence.
- A person who serves his or her period of disqualification and is subsequently granted a driver’s licence – a continuous 180 days immediately after being granted their licence.
Telephone: 13 11 56 (interpreters available)
Calling from overseas: +61 8 9427 6404
Fax: 1300 669 995
TTY: 08 9216 8484
Department of Transport and Major Infrastructure website: transport.wa.gov.au/licensing
Road Safety Commission website: rsc.wa.gov.au