Granting alcolock-controlled driving rights

An alcohol interlock, or alcolock, is a breathalyser device that will prevent the vehicle from starting if the alcohol level in air exhaled by the driver exceeds the permitted level. The device also requires the driver to repeat the test at random intervals while driving. If the driver fails to perform a test while driving as required by the device within the specified time limit, the vehicle horn will begin to sound continuously.

The limit set for alcohol interlocks is 0.1 mg/l, which corresponds to a blood alcohol concentration of about 0.2 per mille.

If you have committed the offence of driving while intoxicated or driving while seriously intoxicated, they police may grant you an alcohol interlock-controlled right to drive.

You may be granted alcohol interlock-controlled driving rights on grounds of health if you cannot be granted a driving licence due to continuous alcohol abuse except under the condition that you may only operate a vehicle equipped with an alcolock. 

Controlled driving rights

The police may grant you an alcohol interlock-controlled right to drive at your own request if

• you have committed the offence of driving while intoxicated or driving while seriously intoxicated,
• your permanent place of residence is in Finland and
• you are not subject to a driving ban for some other reason.

It is further required that you have not committed the offence of driving while intoxicated or driving while seriously intoxicated during the driving ban, the temporary driving ban or the probationary period of the conditional driving ban. 

You may request an alcohol interlock-controlled right to drive from the police already during the pre-trial investigation even if the criminal matter has not yet been resolved. 

1. Present your request for the alcohol interlock-controlled right to drive at the latest when the police request you to give a statement on the matter concerning the driving rights.
2. Visit a doctor or another health care professional to discuss intoxicant use, its health impacts and treatment options. 
3. Request a certificate of the appointment, stating the purpose of the appointment. The certificate may be issued by a public or private health care provider. 
4. Submit the certificate to the police of your place of residence.
5. The police will attach the special condition on the obligation to use an alcolock to your driving licence and issue you with an interim driving licence. 
6. Thereafter, you must apply for a new driving licence bearing a code number of the special condition attached by the police on the reverse side of the driving licence from an Ajovarma service point or Traficom’s e-services. 

During the period of the controlled right to drive you can only drive vehicles equipped with a functioning alcohol interlock.

An alcohol interlock may be installed in a passenger car, bus, coach, van, lorry or tractor. A vehicle must be subjected to an alteration inspection after the installation of the alcolock. An entry about the alcolock will be made in the registration details of the vehicle. For further information on the technical specifications for alcolocks used in connection with a controlled right to drive, please contact the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

After the period of controlled right to drive has expired, you may retrieve your old driving licence from the police. The requirement to use the alcohol interlock will expire at the same time. In certain cases, you must order a new normal driving licence from an Ajovarma service point or Traficom’s e-services. 

The vehicle must be subjected to an alteration inspection also after the removal of the alcohol interlock.

Alcohol interlock on grounds of health

In general, continuous alcohol abuse will prevent you from being issued with a driving licence and constitutes grounds for revoking a driving licence. However, you may be granted a driving licence permit or allowed to retain your licence if a special condition is attached to your licence, stating that you may only operate a vehicle equipped with an alcohol interlock. 

When the supervision of the medical fitness to drive reveals continuous alcohol abuse, the police will attach a special condition on the obligation to use an alcolock on your driving licence. The police are entitled to confiscate your previous driving licence and issue you with an interim driving licence. After this, you must apply for a new driving licence from Ajovarma service point or through the e-services of the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom.

The Ajovarma service point will attach the condition on the use of an alcohol interlock in the cases in which continuous alcohol abuse arises in connection with the renewal of the driving licence permit or driving licence. The condition is attached based on the medical certificate submitted as an appendix to the application.