Sober Driver Program participants

Eligibility

You are eligible for the Sober Driver Program if you:

• have been convicted of a drink driving offence and have a supervision order with Corrective Services NSW, or
• have an interlock exemption order from the court.

The program is delivered through 2 pathways: Corrective Services NSW and Managed Training Services.

If you have a court supervisory order with Corrective Services NSW you will complete the program through them.

If you have an interlock exemption order and are not supervised by Corrective Services NSW, you will complete the program with Managed Training Services.

Managed Training Services Sober Driver Program

Drivers convicted of mid-range, high-range, repeat and other serious drink-driving offences in NSW are required to have an interlock installed in their vehicle, under the Alcohol Interlock Program.

Rather than participate in the Alcohol Interlock Program, you can ask the court for an interlock exemption order if you can prove that you don't have access to a vehicle to install the device, or you have a medical condition which stops you from using the device.

If you are subject to an interlock exemption order, Transport for NSW requires that you complete the Sober Driver Program before you apply for your licence to return to driving.

Managed Training Services will provide the program for you if you are subject to an interlock exemption order and do not have a supervision order with Corrective Services NSW. You must register via their website.

If you have an interlock exemption order and change your mind, you can opt to do the Alcohol Interlock Program at a later date. You won't need to go back to court, but you will need to seek legal advice and contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Corrective Services NSW Sober Driver Program

If you have a current court order with Community Corrections, you will complete the Sober Driver Program with Corrective Services NSW.

A current court order may include:

• a good behaviour bond with a supervision condition, or 
• a community service order with a program component.

You may be assessed by Community Corrections as eligible for the program if you have been convicted of:

• a single serious drink drive offence, or
• 2 or more drink drive offences within 10 years.

Repeat and high-risk drink drive offenders who have been ordered to attend the Sober Driver Program by Corrective Services NSW will be notified of the program's time and location by their Community Corrections officer.

If you also have an interlock exemption order from the court in addition to a supervisory court order, you are required to complete the Sober Driver Program before you can re-apply for your driver licence.

Referral pathways

If you are eligible for the Sober Driver Program as delivered by Corrective Services NSW, the court has the discretion to mandate that you undertake the Sober Driver Program as a specific condition of:

• good behaviour bond
• bail supervision
• community service order (20 program hours required)
• intensive corrections order.

Alternatively, if you are under the supervision of Corrective Services NSW you may be directed to attend by your supervising officer.

Suitability

Before entry to the Sober Driver Program, a Community Corrections officer will interview you to assess any barriers to participation, and work with you to overcome these where possible.

Barriers such as childcare responsibilities, transport availability and employment/study commitments can often be solved through open discussion between you and the Community Corrections officer.

If you fail to attend the program after being directed to do so, your matter may be returned to the magistrate for consideration.