Mandatory Alcohol Interlock System for All Convicted Drink Drivers in Victoria
In Victoria, the Alcohol Interlock Program (VAIP) is a mandatory measure for drink driving offenders. The program requires the installation of an approved ignition interlock device in offenders' vehicles to ensure their safety and that of other road users.
### Key Details and Requirements:
Upon committing a drink driving offence, offenders will receive written notification from the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, mandating their participation in the program. During the program, offenders are required to drive only vehicles fitted with an approved alcohol interlock device.
Each time the vehicle is started, the driver must provide a breath test with a zero blood alcohol content (BAC of 0.00) to be able to start the car. The program has a minimum length, usually around 15 months, but the exact duration may vary depending on the offence and court/order.
The device must be installed by an accredited service provider and regularly serviced for calibration and inspection. If offenders have more than one vehicle, each vehicle they intend to drive must be fitted with its own interlock device, or they may be required to nominate one vehicle that will have the device installed.
Offenders' licences will have an 'I' (interlock) condition placed on them, disallowing driving vehicles without the device fitted. Violation consequences include extended time on the program, additional penalties, fines, possible imprisonment, disqualification from holding a driver’s licence, and vehicle impounding if caught driving without proper authorisation or tampering with the device.
To complete the program successfully, offenders must demonstrate the ability to separate drinking and driving over a specified period.
### Costs:
The device can be leased from accredited service providers; costs typically include installation, monthly leasing or rental fees, and servicing/calibration fees. Costs vary but often include installation fees (in the hundreds of dollars), monthly rental of approximately $100-$150, and additional service or removal fees. Removal costs apply once offenders have completed the program and been approved for removal.
### Installation and Removal:
Installation must be performed by an accredited technician or service provider. After installation, offenders' licences are updated at a service centre. To remove the device after the program period, offenders must meet all program criteria, pass required tests, and have the interlock device professionally removed. Removal also requires updating the licence condition to lift the interlock restriction.
### Violation Consequences:
Attempting to start the vehicle with alcohol in the system or failing a breath test can result in a lockout period (vehicle won't start) and recording of violations. Tampering, missing tests, or failed retests may lead to an extension of the program and additional legal penalties such as fines, longer disqualification, or possibly imprisonment. Driving without the interlock fitted when the licence is restricted is a serious offence.
For more precise Victorian state-specific details, it is advisable to consult the Victoria VicRoads alcohol interlock program page or contact a local accredited interlock service provider, as most detailed official program information is state-specific and provided officially by government transport departments or registrars.
This summary is based on the general framework of the Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Programs in Australian states, including Tasmania and WA, which share similar principles and processes. Offenders must have an interlock device in their car for at least six months or up to four years, depending on the severity of their offence. The alcohol interlock device records a violation if the driver's BAC is 0.02 or higher and does not re-test successfully within 60 minutes. Alcohol interlocks are fitted with cameras (except on motorcycles) and take pictures at key times, like when the driver is taking a breath test.
- In addition to the Alcohol Interlock Program (VAIP) mandates for drink driving offenders in Victoria, these individuals might also face restrictions in other industries where unrestricted transportation is essential, such as finance or transportation.
- As part of the Alcohol Interlock Program (VAIP), offenders may need to prove their ability to save money for the program costs, which include device installation, regular servicing, and monthly rental fees, while ensuring they maintain sobriety to meet the requirements of their employment in the finance sector.
