Road_to_Solo_driving_handbook (2)

Rules and responsibilities
You could do this a number of times
to get an idea of what BAC your usual
pattern of drinking leads to, and how
long it takes for your BAC to return
to zero.
Tip
If you drive after drinking your
driving will suffer. So remember,
the safest BAC is zero even when
you have a full licence.
Breath testing procedures
Police can request the driver of a vehicle
to undergo a breath test at any time.
There are many breath testing stations
or booze buses on Victorian roads.
You may also be stopped by police in
other vehicles and asked to undergo a
breath test. Thousands of drivers are
randomly tested every week.
You will be asked to blow into a small
device. It will give an indication of the
alcohol in your blood – if any. If you haven’t
been drinking there is no problem. If you
have a positive result, you will be asked to
do a second test on another breath testing
instrument. This reading will be used as
evidence if you are over the legal limit.
Drivers admitted to hospital after
any kind of road crash are required
to provide a breath test and when
requested to provide a blood sample.
Penalties
The penalties for drink driving are severe.
Anyone who is convicted of a drink
driving offence will have their licence
and/or learner permit cancelled. Before
they can get their licence/learner permit
back they must complete a Behaviour
Change Program and will be required
to install and use an alcohol interlock
device in any vehicle they drive for at
least 6 months, and at least 12 months
for repeat offenders, after relicensing.
Cancellation periods:
• Learner permit and/or probationary
licence holder with a BAC between
zero and less than .05 (first offence)
- 3 months
• Learner permit and/or probationary
licence holder with a BAC between
.05 and less than .1 (first offence)
- 6 months
• Full licence holder under the age
of 26 with a BAC between .05 and
less than .1 (first offence)
- 6 months
• Learner permit, probationary or full
licence holder with a BAC of .1 or
more (first offence) - cancellation
period and interlock condition will
depend on the BAC
• Repeat offender (learner permit,
probationary or full licence holder) -
12 months or more
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