Interlock Programs in Victoria: Rules, Durations, and What to Expect
If you’ve been disqualified from driving in Victoria for a drink driving offence, you will likely be required to complete the Victorian Alcohol Interlock Program (VAIP) before your full licence is returned. The VAIP has its own specific rules, timeframes, and requirements that differ in some respects from other states, and understanding them from the outset makes the process considerably less confusing. This guide covers how the Victorian program works from end to end, with a specific focus on what participants across Melbourne’s South East – one of the best-served parts of our Victorian network – can expect from their local service centre.
Who the VAIP Applies To
The VAIP requires designated drink driving offenders to automatically receive an interlock order from VicRoads advising them of their requirement to complete a mandated interlock program. This order is not something you need to apply for separately – it is issued directly as a consequence of your offence and disqualification, and it sets out the conditions you need to meet before your licence is reinstated.
The Behaviour Change Program Requirement
Before an interlock device can be installed, Victorian offenders are required to complete a Behaviour Change Program. This is a distinct step from the interlock installation itself, and it needs to be finished first – attempting to skip ahead to installation without completing this requirement will simply result in your application being unable to proceed. If you are unsure whether you have completed this step or how to enrol, VicRoads is the right first point of contact, on 13 11 71.
Minimum Duration and the Camera Requirement
Once the Behaviour Change Program is complete and your device is installed, Victorian offenders are required to have an interlock device fitted with a camera for a minimum of 6 months following the disqualification period. The camera component is a specific feature of the Victorian program, verifying that the person providing each breath sample is in fact the licensed driver, and it is a standard part of every VAIP- compliant installation – not an optional upgrade.
Submitting Your Installation Certificate
At the completion of your interlock device installation, you will be required to submit your completed installation certificate to VicRoads for the reissue of your licence. Your service centre will provide this certificate as part of the installation process, and keeping a copy for your own records, alongside promptly submitting the original to VicRoads, avoids unnecessary delay in getting your restricted licence reissued.
What Your Service Centre Provides Beyond Installation
A good Victorian service centre does more than fit the hardware. Participants can access dedicated service centres across the state for installation, regular servicing, and removal of approved interlock devices, and these centres also provide training on correct device use, explain program rules in plain terms, and help drivers understand how to avoid violations that could extend their interlock period. Getting this training properly at installation – rather than working it out through trial and error – meaningfully reduces the risk of an avoidable compliance issue later in the program.
South East Melbourne: A Well-Served Part of Our Network
Melbourne’s South East is one of the better-covered regions in Victoria’s Guardian service network, which is genuinely useful for participants living or working across this part of the city. Accredited South East Metro service centres include locations in Dandenong South, Narre Warren, Rowville, Seaford, and Clayton North, giving South East participants a choice of nearby options for installation, scheduled servicing, and eventual removal rather than a single, potentially inconvenient location. You can confirm your closest option and current contact details using our Victoria service centre listings or the general store locator.
If you’re weighing up which of the South East centres suits your commute or work schedule best, it’s worth checking the store locator directly, since service centre details and hours can be updated as the network expands.
Keeping Your Program on Track
As with every interlock program, consistent attendance at scheduled servicing and a clean compliance record throughout – not just towards the end – is what determines whether your program concludes on time. Missed services, unexplained violations, and gaps in your compliance record are all reviewed as part of your eventual assessment, so treating every appointment as non-negotiable from day one is the simplest way to avoid an extension.
Approval for Removal
Once you’ve mandated period application to VicRoads is required for the removal of the Interlock condition from your licence. Application can be made through the AIMS portal. For further information or to see how long you have left on your program contact VicRoads on 13 11 71. Once your approval for removal has been received you can make an appointment at your chosen service centre for removal.
Contact Guardian Interlock
Whether you’re just starting the VAIP process or looking for the most convenient South East Melbourne service centre for your installation or servicing, Guardian Interlock’s team can talk you through the requirements and help you find the right location.
Call us on 1300 881 005 to discuss the Victorian interlock program or book an appointment at a South East Melbourne service centre.
