The Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program applies to drivers who are convicted of high-risk drink driving offences. The interlock program aims to help drink drivers separate drinking and driving when they get their licence back.
You need to participate in the interlock program if you commit and are convicted of any of the following offences:
You need to have an interlock device installed in the vehicle you drive during your time in the interlock program. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial assistance to help with interlock costs.
You must meet strict eligibility criteria to apply for an interlock exemption.
If you don't participate you can't drive for 5 years from the end of your disqualification (or the date you were issued a work licence).
Find out more about participating in the program.
You will need to participate in the interlock program if you are convicted of a high-risk drink driving offence and your licence is disqualified.
! Important - a restricted (work) licence does not exempt you from the interlock program. To drive while you are on a restricted licence, you will need to fit an interlock to a nominated vehicle or hold a valid interlock exemption.
The interlock program is a performance-based program where your interlock use is monitored and data from your interlock will be sent to us. Your interlock data will need to show that all breath tests have been provided and returned 'no alcohol' readings, and that all scheduled interlock services have been attended—otherwise your time in the program can be extended.
You will need to be in the interlock program for a minimum of 12 months. You are eligible to participate from:
or
Your time in the program starts once you have obtained a driver licence with an interlock condition and installed an interlock to a nominated vehicle. If you don’t follow the program rules, remove the interlock from your vehicle, or your licence is not current your time in the interlock program will be longer than 12 months.
If you choose not to participate in the interlock program, you won't be able to drive for 5 years from the end of your disqualification or the date you were granted a work licence.
You can use the Plan.Drive.Survive. Hub to track your interlock program progress and see what you need to do to complete the program.
Find out more about the performance-based program (PDF, 282KB).
It costs approximately $2,600* to have an interlock installed in your vehicle for 12 months. This cost is paid directly to the approved interlock provider you chose and includes:
*This cost is an estimate only which is subject to change. It does not include the cost of getting your licence with an I code or any additional fees that may be charged by your interlock provider if you do not follow the rules of the program.
If you hold a valid Australian Government Healthcare Card or Pensioner Concession Card, your interlock provider will give you a 35% discount on the interlock costs. This discount does not apply to the cost of getting your driver licence with an I code.
Under the interlock program you have 2 parts to complete:
To participate in the program, you must:
*You are allowed to drive a vehicle without an interlock fitted when you are:
During your performance period your use of the interlock will be monitored. If your interlock detects alcohol, or you have a permanent lockout due to a missed scheduled interlock service, your:
You must get your interlock serviced so that we can check you are following the performance-based program rules.
You must take your vehicle to have the interlock serviced:
You may choose to have your interlock serviced more frequently. The interlock will remind you when the service is due. If you miss an interlock service, you will receive a permanent lockout. If this occurs during your 4-month performance period, the performance period will be restarted and your time in the interlock program will be extended.
More information about interlocks
Before you can complete the interlock program you must:
Your interlock provider needs to send us your data. We will send you a notice letting you know when it's time to request this. Your provider will send us the data after you make the request, which may take a few days.
Once we have checked your interlock data, we will send you a notice to let you know:
or
Before you remove the interlock from your vehicle, you should wait until you have received a program completion notice. If you choose to remove the interlock before receiving the notice and you haven't completed the program, you will need to pay to reinstall it.
An interlock is a device that is connected to a vehicle's ignition. To start the vehicle, the driver must provide a breath sample. The vehicle only starts if no alcohol is detected. A random breath sample may be requested during a journey.
The interlock has a camera that takes photos which are used to monitor the driver’s use of the interlock including:
It is important that the camera can take a clear image of the person providing the breath sample to the interlock. If the camera is blocked or obscured in any way and the interlock detects alcohol, your time in the interlock program can be extended.
The interlock records data including:
This data will be sent to us as authorised by the Transport Operations Road Use Management Act 1995 to help administer the interlock program.
Note: A vehicle with an interlock installed can be driven by others, such as family members. Whoever is driving will need to provide breath samples to the interlock and have their photo taken to start and continue driving the vehicle.
Your interlock provider will give you training on how to use the interlock.
Before using an interlock to provide a breath sample, you should:
In the 15 minutes before providing a breath sample, do not:
You will need to complete steps 1, 2 and 3 before you can drive.
You will need to apply for your licence with an interlock condition at a transport and motoring customer service centre, a participating QGAP office or licence-issuing police station (in rural or remote areas of Queensland).
You will need to:
You will be issued with a receipt for a probationary licence with code 'I'. This will be your licence until you receive your physical card in the mail. If you have signed up to get emails we will email you when your licence is posted and send you a reminder when it's due to be renewed.
Your interlock must be installed before you drive.
After you get your licence you will need to have an interlock installed in the vehicle you want to drive. You cannot drive the vehicle to get the interlock installed—you will need to arrange to have someone else drive the vehicle for you. If you don’t own the vehicle that you want to drive, you must get permission from the owner to install the interlock.
Find an approved interlock provider and make an appointment to get your interlock installed. You will need to pay all installation costs. You can have an interlock on more than one vehicle if needed.
There are different types of interlocks available and the way they operate can differ. Before fitting an interlock, we recommend you check with each approved interlock provider to help decide which interlock is best for you.
At your appointment you will be asked to nominate which vehicle/s you want an interlock installed in. Your interlock provider will tell us which vehicle/s you nominate. You can only drive the vehicle/s you have nominated.
Interlocks can only be installed by an approved interlock provider. You can't buy and install your own interlock.
You will have to pay for all costs including the installation, rental, servicing and removal of your interlock.
Take your Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program notice to your appointment.
Affordable Interlock Systems (as Approved Party for Alcolock AU Pty Ltd)
Phone: 1800 252 656
Email: enquiries@affordableinterlocks.com.au
Draeger Australia Pty Ltd
Phone: 1300 780 689
Email: interlock.australia@draeger.com
SmartStart Australia (Trading name for Ajen Monitoring Systems)
Phone: 1300 256 900
Email info@smartstartinterlocks.com.au
On this page:
You may be able to apply for financial assistance to help with the cost of participating in the interlock program.
If your application is approved your interlock provider receives the money to help pay for the cost of:
You may be able to apply if you:
If you have a partner, their income and bank balance will also be assessed.
If you are a dependent child, your parent(s)/guardian(s)’ income and liquid assets will be assessed.
| Circumstances | Maximum annual income | Maximum liquid assets |
|---|---|---|
| Single (single or separated)—not in workforce | $27,824.24 | $3,000 |
| 1 dependent child | $36,857.16 | $3,000 |
| 2 dependent children | $45,465.24 | $3,000 |
| 3 dependent children | $54,073.32 | $3,000 |
| 4+ dependent children | $62,681.40 | $3,000 |
| Single (single or separated)—in workforce | $33,848.44 | $3,000 |
| 1 dependent child | $42,887.08 | $3,000 |
| 2 dependent children | $51,489.44 | $3,000 |
| 3 dependent children | $60,097.52 | $3,000 |
| 4+ dependent children | $68,705.60 | $3,000 |
| Couple (married or de facto)—neither in workforce | $38,579.92 | $5,000 |
| 1 dependent child | $47,188.00 | $5,000 |
| 2 dependent children | $55,796.08 | $5,000 |
| 3 dependent children | $64,404.68 | $5,000 |
| 4+ dependent children | $73,012.76 | $5,000 |
| Couple (married or de facto)—either/both in workforce | $44,604.12 | $5,000 |
| 1 dependent child | $53,212.20 | $5,000 |
| 2 dependent children | $61,820.28 | $5,000 |
| 3 dependent children | $70,428.36 | $5,000 |
| 4+ dependent children | $79,036.44 | $5,000 |
These table thresholds are subject to change and are current as at 31 March 2024. These figures are derived from the Henderson Poverty Line, which is updated quarterly.
You can apply for financial assistance up to 6 weeks before your drink driving disqualification period ends or once your interlock program starts.
You can complete your application for financial assistance online.
Complete the alcohol ignition interlock financial assistance application (form F4899). The form will tell you what supporting documents you need to provide for your situation.
Email your completed application and copies of your supporting documentation to AIIP.IPU@tmr.qld.gov.au
You need to complete the alcohol ignition interlock financial assistance application (form F4899) and take your supporting documentation to your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre.
Complete the alcohol ignition interlock financial assistance application (form F4899). The form will tell you what supporting documents you need to provide for your situation.
Send your application and supporting documentation to:
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Interlock Processing Unit
GPO Box 5232
Brisbane QLD 4001
If you meet strict eligibility criteria, you can apply for an exemption from installing an interlock in a nominated vehicle.
An exemption will not be granted if you are unable to install the interlock for employment, educational or financial reasons.
If you have been granted a restricted (work) licence by a court, it does not automatically exempt you from having to install an interlock.
If you do not meet the criteria for an interlock exemption, and you have been granted a restricted licence, you will need to install an interlock in a nominated vehicle.
If granted an exemption, you must carry your approved exemption certificate with you at all times and produce it if asked to by a police officer. You can be fined if you drive without your approved exemption certificate.
You can apply for an exemption up to 6 weeks before your drink driving disqualification period ends or once your interlock program starts. If you have been granted a restricted licence (work licence) by a court, you can apply straight away.
You may apply for an exemption from having an interlock installed for any of the following reasons:
You can complete your application for an interlock exemption online.
Complete and lodge an interlock exemption application (F4862) at your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre. You will need to pay the application fee. If your application relates to a medical condition you will also need to lodge a medical certificate exemption form (F4864).
You can post your completed interlock exemption application (F4862), medical certificate exemption form (F4864) (if applicable), and fee (cheque or money order payable to the Department of Transport and Main Roads) to:
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Interlock Processing Unit
GPO Box 5253
Brisbane QLD 4001
Alcohol ignition interlocks, 22 Jan 2024, [https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/transport/safety/road-safety/drink-driving/interlocks]
This document is uncontrolled when printed. Before using the information in this document you should verify the current content on https://oss-uat.clients.squiz.net/transport/safety/road-safety/drink-driving/interlocks.