QUEENSLAND

Alcohol Interlock Laws QLD

In shortIn Queensland, a conviction for a drink driving offence listed in TORUM section 91I means your next licence carries an interlock condition. You can drive only a nominated vehicle fitted with an approved interlock until you complete a 12-month prescribed period. Limited exemptions exist for distance, some islands, medical conditions and severe hardship.

Who: middle range, high range or under the influence, failing to provide a specimen, dangerous driving while affected by alcohol, and a repeat lower-range offence within 5 years (TORUM s 91I).
How long: a 12-month prescribed period with the interlock fitted, which can be extended for breaches. If you never complete it, the interlock period ends 5 years after it started.
Exemptions: 150 km from an installer, some islands without a bridge, a medical condition, or severe hardship, decided by TMR (s 91Q; Driver Licensing Regulation 2021 regs 341–346).

Queensland law · law checked 21 Oct 2026

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What's on this page

What is an alcohol interlock?

An alcohol ignition interlock is a breath-testing device wired into a vehicle's ignition. The engine will not start unless the driver gives a breath sample with no alcohol detected, and the device asks for further samples while the vehicle is being driven. It records every test. Queensland uses interlocks to reduce repeat drink driving: after certain convictions, you can only get back on the road in a vehicle fitted with one.

The program is set up by part 3B of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (TORUM), sections 91I to 91VA. The detail, such as exemptions and installer rules, is in chapter 9 of the Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021. The program is run by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), not the court.

When is an interlock required in Queensland?

The program applies if you are convicted of a "drink driving offence" as defined in s 91I and are disqualified because of it (s 91J). The listed offences are:

driving or being in charge while under the influence of liquor, including a reading of 0.15 or more (s 79(1));
driving over the middle alcohol limit (0.10 to under 0.15) (s 79(1F));
failing to provide a breath or blood specimen (s 80(11));
dangerous driving under the Criminal Code s 328A while adversely affected by alcohol; and
a second lower-range alcohol offence (over 0.05, or a no-alcohol limit offence) within 5 years of an earlier one.

A first low range offence on its own does not trigger the program, and nor does a drug-only offence. The program also applies if you were given a restricted (work) licence for a middle range offence (s 91J(2)): that licence itself carries the interlock condition.

Queensland penalty changes in 2026: check your offence date (law checked 20 Oct 2026).

Offences on or after 31 August 2026: higher maximum fines apply. They are 20 penalty units ($3,454) for the general alcohol limit and no alcohol limit offences, 28 ($4,835.60) for the middle alcohol limit and 40 ($6,908) for driving under the influence of liquor or a drug. A first general alcohol limit conviction (0.05 to under 0.10) on an open licence now carries 2 to 9 months' disqualification. For offences before 31 August 2026 it was 1 to 9 months. Police can now give an eligible first low-range driver on an open Queensland licence an infringement notice of $1,295 instead of a court charge. Unless the driver elects to go to court, a 2-month disqualification follows. It counts as a conviction, and there is no work licence for that period. Drug driving (a relevant drug present) has not changed yet. The maximum is 14 penalty units ($2,417.80) or 3 months, with 1 to 9 months' disqualification on an open licence and 3 to 9 months for learner, P-plate and unlicensed drivers.

Offences on or after 1 December 2026: minimum fines start for drink and drug driving. For example, the minimum is 7.5 penalty units for low range and for drug driving. The drug driving maximum rises to 28 penalty units, and a first offence on an open licence carries 2 to 9 months' disqualification. A new offence of driving with a relevant drug present while over an alcohol limit adds 1 month to the disqualification range.

An offence committed before a change is generally dealt with under the penalties in force when it happened. Sources: TORUM ss 78E, 79, 79B, 79H–79J and 86, as amended by the Queensland Community Safety Act 2024 and the Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026. Penalty unit $172.70 from 1 July 2026.

How long does the interlock condition last?

When your disqualification ends and you get a new licence, it carries an interlock condition, shown as an "I" on your licence. You must then complete the prescribed period, which is 12 months of holding a licence with the interlock condition (or an exemption) (s 91K). The interlock period ends at the earlier of:

completing the prescribed period; or
5 years after the interlock period started.

The prescribed period can be extended if the interlock records a breach, such as a failed start test, tampering, a missed service or driving a vehicle without the interlock. TMR can add further time, generally in 4-month blocks (ss 91U–91VA). While the interlock period runs, you cannot drive any vehicle except your nominated, interlock-fitted vehicle.

If you choose not to get a licence or not to fit an interlock, there is no separate disqualification for that. But you cannot lawfully drive at all until the interlock period ends, and the 5-year end date is a long time off the road. Driving without the interlock while you are an interlock driver is an offence.

Driving with an interlock fitted

You nominate the vehicle you will drive (s 91L). If it belongs to someone else, such as your employer, you need their consent to the installation.
Before the engine will start, you must give a breath sample with no alcohol present. You are also on a zero alcohol limit for the whole interlock period (s 79(2J)).
Other people can drive your interlock vehicle if they hold a licence and give a zero reading. Any reading they produce is recorded against the vehicle, so lending the car is a risk.
The device must be serviced at the intervals set in your interlock agreement. Missed services are breaches.
Tampering with an interlock, or having someone else blow into it for you, is an offence.

Steps to start the program

Serve your court disqualification and any period off the road.
Arrange the interlock with a TMR-approved interlock supplier. You pay the installation, rental, servicing and removal costs.
Nominate the vehicle using TMR's process.
Apply for your licence at TMR. It will be issued with the interlock condition.
Complete the 12-month prescribed period without breaches, then apply to have the condition removed.

TMR's website lists the current approved suppliers and forms. Check it before you start, as these details change.

Interlock exemptions in Queensland

TMR can grant an exemption from fitting an interlock only in the circumstances listed in s 91Q and regs 341 to 346 of the Regulation:

Ground	Detail
Distance	Your principal residence is more than 150 km from the nearest place of business of an approved installer (reg 341).
Island residence	You live on a Queensland island that has no approved installer and is not connected to the mainland by a bridge (reg 343). Coochiemudlo, Fraser (K'gari), Karragarra, Lamb, Macleay, Magnetic, North Stradbroke, Orpheus and Russell islands are excluded, so living there does not qualify.
Medical condition	A medical condition means you cannot give a sufficient breath sample. Medical evidence is required.
Vehicle	The only vehicle you can drive cannot be fitted, and you would suffer severe hardship.
Family member's medical condition	You need to drive a family member because of their medical condition.
Other severe hardship	Severe hardship in other circumstances, not just inconvenience in getting to work or study.

Exemptions are not given just because an interlock is expensive or inconvenient. An exemption usually comes with conditions, and the time with an exemption counts towards your prescribed period.

Applying for an exemption

You can apply no earlier than 6 weeks before your disqualification ends. TMR generally decides within 28 days. Include strong supporting evidence, such as medical reports, proof of address, or evidence of hardship from employers or family members, and pay the application fee. If the exemption is refused, you can ask for an internal review and then apply to QCAT. Forms and fees are on TMR's website.

Financial help with interlock costs

TMR has run a financial assistance scheme for eligible interlock drivers. Past criteria included holding an interlock condition (or having applied), being an Australian citizen or permanent resident, passing an income and assets test, and not having had assistance in the previous 5 years. Check TMR's current criteria before you rely on it.

Can a lawyer help with interlocks?

The interlock condition follows automatically from the conviction, so the court cannot waive it. Legal help matters most before sentence, when the charge, the reading and the disqualification period are still being decided. For example, the difference between a first low range offence and a middle range offence decides whether you enter the program at all. A lawyer can also help you prepare an exemption application or a review, and advise you if you are charged with driving in breach of an interlock condition. For penalties, see drink driving penalties in Queensland.

Call 1300 941 900 or make an enquiry about legal representation.

Video: the Queensland alcohol interlock program

This short video from Boorman Lawyers TV explains how the interlock program works in Queensland.

Alcohol Interlock QLD - Boorman Lawyers TV This video was published before 31 August 2026, when Queensland drink driving penalties changed, so the penalties discussed may not reflect current law.

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FAQs: alcohol interlocks in Queensland

What offences trigger an interlock requirement in Queensland?

A conviction for a "drink driving offence" under TORUM s 91I: under the influence or 0.15 or more, middle range (0.10 to under 0.15), failing to provide a specimen, dangerous driving while affected by alcohol, or a second lower-range offence within 5 years.

How long does the interlock requirement last?

You need to hold a licence with the interlock condition for a 12-month prescribed period, which can be extended for breaches. If you never complete it, the interlock period ends 5 years after it started.

What happens if I refuse to fit an interlock?

There is no extra disqualification for refusing, but you cannot lawfully drive any vehicle until the interlock period ends, which can be up to 5 years.

Are interlock exemptions hard to get?

Yes. TMR can only grant them on the grounds in the Act and Regulation, and needs evidence. Cost or general inconvenience is not enough.

Does living on Magnetic Island or North Stradbroke Island qualify me for an exemption?

No. Those islands, and several others, are expressly excluded from the island exemption in reg 343.

Can someone else drive my interlock car?

Yes, if they are licensed and give a zero breath sample. Their readings are logged against the vehicle.

Sources and date checked

The law on this page was checked against these primary and official sources on 21 Oct 2026. Penalty unit dollar amounts are as at 21 Oct 2026.

Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995 (Qld) – pt 3B, ss 91I–91VA (reprint current from 21 September 2026) — checked 21 Oct 2026
Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Driver Licensing) Regulation 2021 (Qld) – ch 9 (interlocks), regs 341–346 — checked 21 Oct 2026
Queensland Government (TMR) – Alcohol interlocks — checked 21 Oct 2026
Queensland Community Safety Act 2024 (Act No. 45), ss 93–104 – TORUM amendments commenced 31 August 2026 — checked 20 Oct 2026
Transport and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2026 (Act No. 23) – assent 21 September 2026; pt 10 div 3 commences 1 December 2026 — checked 20 Oct 2026
TORUM legislative history (commencement of amending Acts) — checked 20 Oct 2026

This page is general information about Queensland law only. It is not legal advice. Every matter turns on its own facts.

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