Alcohol lock for repeat offenders is now mandatory: how it works, costs and sanctions

ROME – Green light for the hard line against repeat offenders of drunk driving. With the signature of the implementing decree by the Minister of Transport, Matteo Salvini, the obligation for those who have already been fined to install an alcohol lock on their car at their own expense has become operational, a device that prevents the engine of the car from starting if the driver's blood alcohol level is higher than zero. Let's see the costs and characteristics of the device.

The cost of installation

The installation of the alcohol lock, with relative approval, should cost around 2 thousand euros and, as provided by the new Highway Code, all drivers sentenced to a definitive sentence for drunk driving with a blood alcohol level higher than 0.8 gr/l, for 2 years following the suspension of the license from 6 months to 1 year, will have to install it on their vehicle, including buses and trucks. If, however, the blood alcohol level exceeds 1.5 gr/l, the obligation to install the alcohol lock will be for 3 years, after the suspension of the license from 1 to 2 years ordered by the prefect.

The sanctions

Anyone who fails to install the device despite the obligation risks a fine from 158 to 638 euros, in addition to the suspension of their license from 1 to 6 months. Fines that double in case of tampering with the device. Finally, all fines will be increased by a third if the driver who failed to install the device is also caught drunk while driving.

Device Features

The device must comply with the provisions of the EN 50436 standard “breathalysers – test methods and performance specifications”, be approved as an electrical/electronic unit (ESU) pursuant to UN Regulation (UNECE) no. 10 and have the CE mark, in addition to the serial number and the version of the software installed. It is also expected that the vehicle must be immobilized when the device registers an alcohol concentration in the air exhaled by the driver that exceeds 0 mg/l.

Obligations for manufacturers

They must attach the instructions for the installation, use and maintenance of the device, identify the installers authorised to assemble their devices among the workshops authorised to carry out mechatronics activities in Italy and communicate them to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, to which they must also communicate the list of vehicles compatible with the installation of their devices. The manufacturer must also send the Ministry the type of alcohol interlock device, which complies with the EN 50436 standard, accompanied by the documentation required by the decree itself, as well as a facsimile of a calibration certificate, which the manufacturer must then provide to the installer.

Communication obligations by the ministry

The documentation sent by the manufacturer regarding the authorised installers and the list of vehicle models on which each alcohol interlock device can be installed must be published on the Motorist Portal.

Obligations for authorized installers

They are responsible for complying with the assembly instructions, including applying a seal that prevents alteration or tampering after installation. The seal must be destroyed in the event of an attempted tampering using self-destructive stickers. Installers provide, together with the installation declaration, the calibration certificate of the alcolock device, the instructions for use and those for maintenance. Furthermore, they are responsible for any disassembly of the device in compliance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer. The decree specifies that the installation and disassembly of the alcolock device are not among the technical operations subject to inspection and testing (testing) by the Civil Motorization offices.

Checks while driving

In case of checks, the alcohol interlock device must have the installation seal intact and the driver of the vehicle must be able to show, in original, the installation declaration and the calibration certificate with the valid calibration interval. The driver must always check that the calibration certificate has the valid calibration interval according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer.