Digital driver licences are now available on your smartphone for all Victorian full licence, learners and probationary licence holders. Here’s everything you need to know about the roll-out.
Motoring
Victoria's new drink driving laws and the penalties for breaking them
Drink driving offenders now face new penalties. Here's what you need to know about the new drink driving laws in Victoria.
Drink driving remains one of the most significant contributors to Victoria’s road toll. According to the Victorian Government, since 2023 around one in four drivers who have lost their lives on Victorian roads have had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.05 or above.
In an effort to make drivers think twice before getting behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol, the Victoria Government has introduced new penalties for drink drivers. Under the new law, introduced on 17 October 2024, drink driving offenders must drive with a blood alcohol content of zero for at least three years.
"While most Victorians do the right thing, drink driving continues to be one of the Fatal Five and alcohol greatly increases the risk of being involved in a crash," says James Williams, RACV Head of Policy. "Hopefully this latest measure will send a clear message to motorists that driving after drinking alcohol is just not worth the risk."
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Update to Victorian drink driving laws
What is the new drink driving penalty in Victoria?
Every drink driving offender charged in Victoria will, at minimum:
- have to pay a heavy fine
- lose their licence
- need to complete a behaviour change program
- have to get an alcohol interlock installed in their vehicle
- drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of zero for three years after successfully completing their court-mandated Alcohol Interlock Program.
Drink driving offences may also result in vehicle impoundment or, for serious cases, possible imprisonment. The exact penalties will depend on a range of factors, including BAC level, age and licence type.
Re-offenders may face heavier penalties than first-time offenders.
Drivers found with a BAC over zero during the mandated three-year period will also be considered re-offenders and will have to start the process again, including a licence disqualifiation period, interlock condition, and three-year zero BAC driving condition.
Victoria has some of the strongest penalties for drink driving in the country. Image: Getty
When did the new drink driving laws come into effect?
The new drink driving law (and penalties) came into effect on 17 October 2024.
What is the aim of harsher drink driving penalties?
Tougher penalties for drink driving have been introduced to reduce the occurrence of drink driving in Victoria.
"Too many families have suffered the heartbreak of losing a loved one to drink driving and these tough new penalties will make drink drivers think twice before getting behind wheel. This will save lives," says Melissa Horne, Minister for Roads and Road Safety.
Under the new law, drink driving offenders must have an interlock device in their car for at least six months and up to four years depending on the severity of their offence. Image: Getty
How does drinking affect driving?
Driving may seem like second nature to seasoned drivers, but it's a complex task that requires high levels of concentration and decision-making. Here are the affects at each level of BAC, according to the Transport Accident Commission (TAC).
- 0.02 to 0.05 BAC - increased risk taking; decreased response to several stimuli; decreased ability to judge distances; decreased ability to see or locate moving lights.
- 0.05 to 0.08 BAC - impaired sensitivity to red lights; shorter concentration span; slower reactions; further decreased ability to judge distances. At 0.08 BAC, drivers are five times more likely to be involved in a crash.
- 0.08 to 0.12 BAC - overestimation of one's abilities leads to reckless driving; impaired peripheral vision; impaired perception of obstacles. At 0.12 BAC,drivers are up to 10 times more likely to have an accident.
How do I make sure that I am under the legal drinking limit?
There are many factors that can impact BAC readings, such as your age, sex, weight, fatigue levels and tolerance to alcohol. In other words, there is no accurately way to 'guess' your BAC if you've been drinking.
The safest way to know for sure that you are under the legal drinking limit is to not drive if you drink. Select a designated driver, look up public transport options, or book a taxi or Uber home.
The information provided is general advice only. Before making any decisions please consider your own circumstances and the Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determinations. For copies, visit racv.com.au. As distributor, RACV Insurance Services Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 230039 receives commission for each policy sold or renewed. Product(s) issued by Insurance Manufacturers of Australia Pty Ltd ABN 93 004 208 084 AFS Licence No. 227678.
