Who should drive with an alcohol interlock test (EAD)?

Verified 05 April 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Did you commit a traffic offense related to alcohol? You may be required to drive a vehicle equipped with an alcohol ignition interlock (EAD). This device prevents the vehicle from starting if the alcohol level recorded in the exhaled air exceeds the authorized threshold. We indicate the situations that may lead to the obligation to drive with a DAE: decision of the judge, decision of the prefect, medical opinion.

Judge

The judge can force you to drive with a starter breathalyzer (EAD) in the following cases:

  • Offense of driving in alcoholic state
  • Offense of driving in overt drunkenness
  • Refusal to comply with BAC checks
  • Recurrence driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Repetition of refusal to submit to blood alcohol tests
  • Homicide or involuntary injury by driving while in an alcoholic state

You must hand over your driver's license to the clerk responsible for enforcing the judge's decision.

If the prefecture holds your driver's license, you must submit a proof to the clerk.

The clerk then gives you a copy certificate.

The certificate states that you are only allowed to drive with a EAD: titleContent.

You must submit this certificate if requested by the police.

At the end of the prohibition period, the license is returned to you upon delivery of the certificate.

The obligation to drive with a EAD: titleContent is up to 5 years.

Where the judge orders a cancelation or a suspension of the license, the obligation to drive with a DAE applies after the driving prohibition period.

Please note

it is forbidden to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.2 g/l or more if you are required to drive a EAD: titleContent.

If you do not comply with the obligation to drive with a EAD: titleContent, you may be subject to the following penalties:

  • 2 years in prison
  • €4,500 fine
  • Cancelation of the license for a maximum of 3 years or prohibition of driving for a maximum of 5 years or community service penalty.

If the crime recurs, your vehicle may be confiscated.

If you use the device fraudulently, you risk a fine of 5e class of up to €1,500.

This penalty also applies to the accomplice of the offense (e.g. the passenger using the EAD instead of the driver).

Prefect 

The prefect can force you to drive with a starter breathalyzer (EAD) after retention of your license for driving under the influence of alcohol or refusal of BAC checks.

The decision of the prefect is yours notified by post RAR: titleContent or directly if you go to the service listed in the notice of retention of the driving license.

Duration is up to 1 year.

The decision of the prefect is equivalent to a driving license for the duration of the obligation to drive with a EAD: titleContent.

You must present the notification of the decision of the prefect in case of request of the security forces.

Please note

it is forbidden to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.2 g/l or more if you are required to drive a EAD: titleContent.

You may be fined up to €1,500 if you do not comply with the obligation to drive with a EAD: titleContent.

You could face the same fine if you use the device fraudulently.

This penalty shall also apply to the accomplice of the offense. For example, the passenger using the EAD instead of the driver.

Medical advice

A driving license of limited duration with the obligation to drive a vehicle equipped with a starter breathalyzer (EAD) concerns the following persons:

  • License applicant with alcohol-related addictive practices (misuse or alcohol use disorder)
  • Person with a driver's license but with addictive practices related to alcohol

The prefect issues a driving license of limited validity with medical-administrative DAE restriction on opinion of the medical committee.

You must follow a internship in an institution specializing in addictology for the limited license term.

The course includes one individual reception session, 2 medical consultations at the beginning and end of the course and 5 group sessions.

At the end of the course, a certificate it's given to you.

You must submit this certificate to the medical commission during the fitness check for driving planned for the renewal of your driving license.

The period of validity of the permit with medical-administrative DAE restriction is from 6 months to 1 year.

At the end of the period of temporary fitness for driving, the medical committee must again evaluate your state of health.

The restriction Medical-administrative DAS of your license can be renewed as long as it is necessary.

Please note

it is forbidden to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.2 g/l or more if you are required to drive a EAD: titleContent.

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