Do you need a fast set up and interlock installed?
Call us on 0800 002 182 to get set up in our system, this will take about 5-10 minutes.
We’ll collect your details and arrange a time to get your interlock installed at your nearest service centre.
Typically we can get an alcohol interlock installed in your vehicle within 1–2 days.
We look forward to talking with you!
An alcohol interlock is a breathalyser which is wired into your car’s ignition which records every start, stop, test result, violation, km’s driven etc which is then available as a report for authorities to view.
Before you start your vehicle you will need to provide an alcohol free breath sample.
Once you have passed the test you can then start your vehicle.
While you are driving your interlock will call for random tests which must be taken, otherwise this is classed as a violation.
Each month you need to take your vehicle back to a service centre to get the data downloaded and the interlock calibrated, this takes about 15 minutes, monthly payment is made at the time of the service.
The only real way of knowing is to test yourself on an accurate personal breathalyser.
This is useful to check your alcohol level BEFORE you blow into your interlock, potentially causing a violation.
Don’t use your interlock device as a tool to test yourself so you know what you alcohol level is, this will be recorded as a violation which may potentially extend the length of time you have your interlock installed.
You can call us on 0800 002 182 and leave a detailed message which will be emailed through to us. Please listen to the instructions on the answerphone message to ensure your message goes to the right place.
When you leave a message, ensure you leave your name and phone number and details of your problem so we can call you back.
We will deal with messages in order of priority, if we consider it urgent we will get back to you soon, otherwise please call us the next business day.
NZ Transport Agency may grant you subsidy assistance if your financial circumstances qualify you for an alcohol interlock subsidy.
You may be eligible for a subsidy if:
To prove that you meet the eligibility criteria, you can either:
For more information on the alcohol interlock subsidy, visit our subsidy page.
This means you have a certain number of hours before your vehicle permanently locks out – ensure you get to a service centre before the specified hours shown on the screen otherwise you will need to get your vehicle towed to service, alternatively call us for options.
A violation of some sort has been occurred to cause the vehicle to go into lockout mode – either service is overdue, alcohol violations or a test has been skipped.
No you can’t. This is due to the changes in technology, we can continually upgrade your unit if you lease it from us.
We do have a lot of voluntary clients, please call us on 0800 002 182 to enquire.
No. All Smart Start devices have anti-circumvention features, which cause the alcohol interlock device to abort phony breath samples.
The cost of an ignition interlock device can vary depending on a number of factors, including whether you are eligible for a subsidy or funding from Corrections.
If you are eligible for the alcohol interlock subsidy, you pay a subsidised monthly lease and the cost of installation and removal is covered by the subsidy.
The subsidy covers the cost of your alcohol interlock licence, installation, $50 per month towards the monthly lease, removal and your zero alcohol licence at the end of the programme.
If you are not eligible for the alcohol interlock subsidy, the standard pricing is $199 per month. You’ll also have to pay for the initial installation, and removal at the end of the programme.
When you get your interlock installed you pay the installation fee and your first monthly lease to the service centre that does your interlock install.
Additional fees may apply if you do not adhere to the requirements.
Please call us on 0800 002 182 to discuss
You can apply to renew, replace or reinstate your alcohol interlock licence. However, you’re not entitled to get a limited licence or to get any new licence classes or endorsements. This means if you only hold a restricted licence, then you can’t get a full licence until your alcohol interlock licence has ended.
No, the interlock device will never shut off your vehicle while it is running.
However, if you cause an alcohol violation while you are driving you may be in a temporary lockout when you come to use your car the next time. This lockout can be for either 5 or 30 minutes.
No, your vehicle will not start without a test.
Yes, any driver can drive a vehicle with an interlock installed but they must take and pass a breath test in order to start the vehicle.
All other drivers should be trained on the operation of the device.
The person with the interlock device restriction is responsible for all readings recorded by the device.
When you’re ready to exit the alcohol interlock stage of the programme, take your vehicle to one of our Service Centres for a final reading and then call the NZTA straight away on 0800 822 422 and apply to exit the interlock programme.
Note: Your final service must be at least 12 months after your initial install date. e.g. if you were installed on the 1st of April 2019, your final service must be on the 1st of April 2020 or later.
The NZTA will view your reports and let you know if you are okay to exit.
Learn more about exiting the alcohol interlock programme here.
An interlock sentence is at least 12 months.
You can exit this programme when you have completed your allotted sentence time, plus complied with the programme requirements.
The NZTA will check your reports before you exit the programme, and you will need:
the previous 6 months violation free
OR
the previous 3 months violation free AND have completed an alcohol assessment with a preferred provider as specified by NZTA.
Find an approved drug and alcohol assessment centre in your area.
A calibration check is needed once a month, this is due on the ‘anniversary date’ that the device was installed on.
You will have 5 days leeway either side of this date to get into your nearest service centre for a service before your vehicle will permanently lockout.
For example if you get your interlock installed on the 10th of the month, you can go in for a service anytime from the 5th to the 15th of any month.
Watch your screen for prompts.
Most likely there has been an alcohol violation the last time the car was used.
This would have put it into a temporary lockout for either 5 or 30 minutes.
You will need to leave your key on for the specified amount of time as shown on the screen so the interlock can clear itself of the lockout.
If you are worried about your battery going flat, you can sit in your vehicle and turn your key on then off every 8 minutes until the interlock device clears itself of the lockout.
No. The interlock device unit has no means of interrupting vehicle operation once it is started.
Call us on 0800 002 182 and let us know what is going wrong so we can help you out.
If it is outside our office hours of 7am-5pm or in the weekend, still call 0800 002 182 and leave a DETAILED message which includes your name, phone number and the nature of your problem.
If we consider this is urgent we will call you back straight away, otherwise please call us the following business day.
The interlock device will warn you for 5 days that your service is due.
If the unit is not serviced, the interlock device will enter a lockout and the driver will not be able to operate the vehicle.
If this happens, the vehicle would have to be towed to a service agent at your cost.
In some circumstances we may be able to provide a temporary unlock code (at your expense) to allow you to drive your vehicle to get serviced.
The interlock device has a 3 minute restart feature which allows the vehicle to be started again without having to provide another breath sample, but a breath sample may be requested shortly after restarting.
If you fail a breath test, the interlock device will enter a short lockout period of 5 minutes for the first failed breath alcohol test and a 30 minute lockout for any subsequent failed breath alcohol test.
This provides an opportunity for the alcohol to dissipate from the mouth and for the driver to consider the reason for the failed breath alcohol test.
This information will be recorded in your interlock.
You must instruct the service agent that you have an interlock device and show them how to use it, or stay there and blow into the interlock when it requests a test. You are responsible for ALL tests taken on your interlock.
If your service agent has any questions about the interlock device, get them to call us on 0800 002 182.
Alcohol is alcohol no matter where it comes from.
If the driver’s breath alcohol is over the preset level, the driver will not be able to start the vehicle.
During the training session at the time of install, drivers are warned about common substances that contain alcohol such as mouthwash and some medications.
Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew anything for at least 15 minutes before you blow into your interlocks. Make sure you drink water before you blow into your interlock.
Again, alcohol is alcohol.
If the driver does not allow sufficient time for the alcohol to dissipate from his/her mouth, a FAIL will be registered as a violation.
Do not eat, drink, smoke, vape or chew anything for at least 15 minutes before blowing into your device, if in doubt, have a drink of water first to wash your mouth out.
The interlock device will look very similar to a breathalyser except it is attached to your vehicle.
It is roughly the size of your hand and can either be mounted on a clip on your dashboard or stored near your gear lever.
It does not need to be visible to anyone outside your vehicle.
No. The unit is only connected to the wiring under the dash and under the bonnet.
At the end of the programme, this wiring is restored to pre-installation conditions.
No. The unit has a flash memory so any battery disconnection does not result in a memory loss, all data will still be available at the next download.
When the interlock device calls for a retest, the driver has 5 minutes to provide the sample.
This is enough time to allow the driver to pull over to the side of the road in a safe area to provide the breath sample.
There are no buttons to push; the driver only needs to blow into the unit to complete a breath sample.
Ensure safe driving practices at all times.
There are two options:
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