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Mouth Contaminants Explained

“I haven’t had anything to drink, but my interlock has detected alcohol!” We’ve heard this comment hundreds of times—and we can relate to it! Beer, wine & spirits aren’t the only things that contain alcohol. It’s present in a lot of everyday substances. From bread and pizza to mouthwash, fermented products like kombucha, hand sanitiser …

Zero alcohol licence.
  • Having a zero alcohol licence means you don’t need to have an interlock installed, but you’re legally unable to drive with any alcohol on your breath (just like an under-20 driver).
  • The zero alcohol licence term is three years. After three years, go to a licencing agency to apply for your normal licence back!
Exit the programme.
  • After the interlock has been installed for 12 months, you can apply to exit the programme.
  • NZTA (Waka Kotahi) will review the final six months of your data.
  • You’ll receive an email from them with approval or denial, based on your interlock data.
  • If it’s approved, congratulations! You can go to any licencing agency to get your zero alcohol licence.
  • If your application is denied, NZTA will extend your time on the interlock and provide you with a future date you can apply again.
Get the interlock installed.
  • Drop your car at the service centre on the day of your install appointment. The install generally takes an hour or so.
  • If you’re on an interlock licence, you’re legally unable to drive with an interlock installed, even if you’re dropping the vehicle off at the installer.
  •  When you collect the vehicle, you’ll pay your install fee and receive training on how to use the interlock.
  • This is the first day of the 12-month sentence. Every month, bring the vehicle back to any of our service centres for the monthly service.
Contact us to book your install.
  • Call us on 0800 002 182 or fill out our online form (linked).
  • We’ll take down your details, get a photo of your licence and make a booking with one of our approved installers (linked).
  • We book the install appointment with your installer, so you don’t need to contact them directly.
Get your interlock licence.
  • An alcohol interlock licence costs you $31.30. If you hold a community services card, this cost is covered by the interlock subsidy.
  • You can get your licence from most AA’s and VTNZ’s. Visit this link to find your closest agency: Licencing agencies.
  • Bring ID, and your community services card if you have one.
  • You’ll receive a temporary paper licence and a pink DL8 form. Make sure to hold on to both of these.
Wait for your disqualification to end.
  • The Court date is the first day of the 28-day disqualification.
  • Four weeks (28 days) after this date, you can apply for your alcohol interlock licence.
  •  If your disqualification was backdated, you can get apply for your new licence straight out of Court.
Receive an interlock sentence from the Court.
  • If you blow over 800 on a police breathalyser, or over 400 twice in five years, you’re going to receive an alcohol interlock sentence.
  • After the offence, your licence will be revoked for 28 days and you’ll be given a Court date for sentencing.
  • At Court, you’ll receive a further 28-day disqualification before you can apply for your licence. This disqualification is sometimes backdated.