Exiting the Alcohol Interlock Programme

Guide to Exiting the Programme (2420 KB)

When you can exit the alcohol interlock programme will depend on when you were given an alcohol interlock sentence.

• If you were sentenced before 1 July 2018, you'll need to have held your alcohol interlock licence for at least 12 months before you can apply to exit this stage of the programme.
• If you were sentence on or after 1 July 2018*, you'll need to have had an alcohol interlock device installed in your vehicle for at least 12 months before you can apply to exit this stage of the programme.

If you meet the above criteria, the Transport Agency will grant approval if you also meet either of the following criteria:

Option 1: You haven't committed any violations in the 6-month period immediately preceding your request to exit.

Option 2: You haven't committed any violations in the 3-month period immediately preceding your request to exit, and you've successfully completed a drug and alcohol assessment at a Ministry of Health approved assessment centre.

Step 1: Take vehicle for final service

When you’re due to exit the alcohol interlock stage of the programme, take your vehicle one of our Service Centres for a final service and then call the NZTA straight away on 0800 822 422 to start the exit process. This will take you through to the Business Processing Team, tell them you want to exit the interlock programme.

Step 2. Obtain a Zero Alcohol Licence

After you've been approved to exit the interlock stage of the programme, it's time to apply for your zero-alcohol licence. A zero-alcohol licence is valid for 3 years. You can apply for a zero-alcohol licence at any driver licensing agent. Go to www.nzta.govt.nz/agent to find a driver licensing agent in your area.

What to take to the licensing agent

• Completed DL8 application form
• Proof of Identity
• Payment for licence application

Caution! You're still subject to the conditions of your Alcohol Interlock Licence until you've been issued with your zero-alcohol licence.

Step 3. Remove the interlock device

Your zero alcohol licence lets Smart Start know that you've been approved to exit the alcohol interlock stage of the programme. 

Email a copy of it to info@smg.nz and/or present a copy of it to your Service Centre. You can then book in at your closest Service Centre to have the interlock removed.

What to email Smart Start

• Copy of your Zero Alcohol Licence
• Removal payment

You'll need to hold your zero-alcohol licence for three years until it expires. You can then apply to reinstate your licence at any driver licensing agent and be issued with a standard licence. 

Violations

Breaching your Alcohol Interlock Licence conditions is a violation. This means that if you do any of the following during the period being assessed, you will not be granted approval to exit the alcohol interlock stage.

• Tamper with the interlock device
• Fail an initial or rolling retest administered by the device because of your breath alcohol
• Fail to do two or more rolling retests
• Start or attempt to start the vehicle without an initial breath test
• Fail to present the vehicle for two or more consecutive scheduled services

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