Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Bring your alcohol interlock licence and your payment for the full amount of the install and the first months lease. Payments can be made in cash, eftpos, debit or credit card – no cheques.

It’ll take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours, it depends on the complexity of the vehicle’s ignition system. Newer vehicles and vehicles with push-button ignitions will take longer.

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.

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 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.

What you'll pay depends on whether you qualify for the NZTA alcohol interlock subsidy, or for funding through Corrections if you've been through an Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment Court. We'll check both for you when you call.

If you're eligible for the subsidy, NZTA covers your interlock licence, installation, removal and your zero alcohol licence, and contributes towards every monthly lease. You pay a reduced monthly lease and nothing for install or removal.

If you're not eligible, you pay a monthly lease plus one-off install and removal charges. Your lease includes monthly servicing, calibration and warranty for theft and faults. (There are no hidden fees!)

On installation day you pay the install fee and your first month's lease at the service centre. After that, you pay each month at your service.

Extra charges only apply if you miss a service or cause a violation that needs an extra visit. With the biggest service network in NZ and a support team that helps you avoid violations, most Smart Start clients get through the programme without paying a cent more than the standard programme cost.

Call us on 0800 002 182 and we'll give you the full cost for your situation in a couple of minutes.

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.

No, your vehicle will not start without a test.

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.

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.

Maybe. Any medicines containing alcohol may register as a reading on your interlock device. We recommend you wait at least 15 minutes after taking your medicines, then rinse your mouth with water, before you blow into your interlock device.

The only real way of knowing is to test yourself using an accurate personal breathalyser such as the Lifeloc FC10 Breathalyser or the AF-35C – Personal Breathalyser.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, under the conditions set out by NZTA, you are responsible for any alcohol readings blown through your interlock device.

The interlock will randomly ask for breath tests while the engine is running. If a sample is not given when requested, the device will log a violation and you will be required to go for an extra service, this would also extend your alcohol interlock programme.

No. All Smart Start devices have anti-circumvention features, which cause the alcohol interlock device to abort phony breath samples.

No. Proprietary software and a special interface connection are needed to communicate with the device.

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.

A calibration check is needed once a month, this is due on the ‘anniversary date’ that the device was installed on.

You will have 7 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 3th to the 17th of any month.

Watch your screen for prompts.

The interlock device will warn you for 7 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, you will need to call us for a one-time 6 hour unlock code to get into the service centre

If you do not get to the service centre within the 6 hours provided, you will need to tow the vehicle to the service centre at your expense.

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.

We recommend booking any repairs just before your monthly lease is due. This is to reduce the possibility of having to get an extra service done if the service provider causes any violations.

If your service agent has any questions about the interlock device, get them to call us on 0800 002 182.

There are two options:

Most likely there has been a violation caused on the interlock and you will need to call us on 0800 002 182 to get an unlock code to get into your service centre.

If the interlock has got a 5 minute or 30 minute countdown on it, you will need to try again after the countdown has finished.

If you are able to take a test and the vehicle will not start, call us on 0800 002 182.

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 over 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 service and then call the NZTA straight away on 0800 822 422 and apply to exit the interlock programme.

Please note: You must have an interlock licence issued (with an interlock installed) for a minimum of 12 months before you can apply to exit the programme.

Apply to exit the alcohol interlock programme here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/driving-offences-and-penalties/alcohol-sentencing/alcohol-interlock-programme/exit-aid/

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 learner or restricted licence, then you can’t get a full licence until your alcohol interlock licence has ended.