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

Verified 30 July 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

If you commit a infringement the judge or prefect may restrict your right to drive to vehicles equipped with a starter breathalyzer (EAD). We present you the procedures of the EAD on the decision of the judge or the prefect, and the EAD says medico-administrative.

EAD by decision of the judge

The judge may prohibit you from driving a vehicle that is not equipped with starter breathalyzer (EAD) if you have committed any of the infringements following roads:

  • 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.

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General case

You must hand over your driver's license the Registrar responsible for the enforcement of the decision of the Judge.

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 prohibited from driving a vehicle not equipped with a EAD: titleContent.

Where the judge orders a cancelation or a suspension of your license, the certificate is delivered to you after the cancelation or suspension has been completed.

In case of control of law enforcement, you must present this certificate. You must also submit documents attesting to the equipment of the vehicle and the verification of its operation.

At the end of the prohibition period, the license is refunded upon delivery of the certificate.

Recurrence of driving under the influence of alcohol or refusal to submit to blood alcohol tests

In case of recurrence the offense of driving under the influence of alcohol, or of refusing to subject you to alcohol testing, the judge cancel your driver's license. You must return your driver's license.

Prohibition of driving a vehicle not equipped with a starter breathalyzer (EAD) applies if you get a new driving license in a 3 years after the cancelation of your license. Your new driver's license will mention the ban.

If you get a new driving license more than 3 years after your license was canceled, the prohibition to drive a vehicle not equipped with a DAE shall not apply.

Prohibition of driving a vehicle not equipped with a EAD: titleContent is up to 5 years.

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 prohibition on driving a vehicle not equipped with EAD: titleContent, you are sanctioned by a fine up to €4,500 and by a prison sentence of up to 2 years.

You may also additional penalties following:

  • Prohibition on driving certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 5 years
  • Cancelation permit and prohibition on applying for a new permit for up to 3 years
  • Sentence of work of general interest.

In case of recurrence, your vehicle may be confiscated.

If you fraudulently use theEAD: titleContent, you risk a fine of a maximum amount of €1,500.

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

Your vehicle may be immobilized and impounded with the authorization of the prefect or public prosecutor.

6 points are withdrawn driver's license.

You may also additional penalties following:

EAD by decision of the prefect 

If you commit a alcohol-related offense, the prefect may decide to suspend your driving license.

The prefect may also authorize you to continue driving provided that you only drive a vehicle equipped with a starter breathalyzer (EAD).

Driving authorization provided that you use a vehicle equipped with EAD: titleContent you are notified.

Notification shall be by letter with AR: titleContent or by presenting yourself to the service indicated on the notice of retention of the driving license.

In case of control of the security forces, you must present the decision of the prefect as valid authorization to drive.

You must also present documents attesting to the equipment of the vehicle with an EAD device and the verification of its operation.

The duration of the driving license restriction on vehicles equipped with a EAD: titleContent is up to 1 year.

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 a vehicle equipped with 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.

Your vehicle may be immobilized and impounded with the authorization of the prefect or public prosecutor.

6 points are withdrawn driver's license.

You may also additional penalties following:

  • Suspension permit for a maximum period of 3 years (without any possibility of accommodation outside the professional activity)
  • Prohibition on driving certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 3 years
  • Obligation to perform, at your expense, a road safety awareness course
  • Confiscation of your vehicle.

Medical-administrative DAS

A driving license with limited validity and restriction EAD: titleContent medico-administrative concerns you if you have been punished as a result of a alcohol-related offense.

Examples: administrative suspension, judicial suspension, cancelation, invalidation your driving license, or driving restricted to vehicles equipped with a DAE.

Instead of concluding that you are not fit to drive, the medical committee responsible for assessing your fitness to drive may propose the establishment of a medical-administrative DAS.

However, you must commit:

  • To drive only vehicles equipped with a starter breathalyzer (EAD)
  • And to follow a internship in an institution specializing in addictology.

On the basis of the opinion of the medical committee, the prefect can issue you a driving license with a limited validity period with a restriction EAD: titleContent.

In case of control of law enforcement, you must present your permit with restricted use EAD.

You must also present documents attesting to the equipment of the vehicle with an EAD device and the verification of its operation.

FYI  

The medical-administrative DAS concerns only the light-duty vehicles.

Your Restricted Driving License Medical-administrative DAS is valid from 6 months to 1 year.

This restriction of use EAD: titleContent is mentioned on your license by adding the code 69.

At the end of the period of temporary fitness for driving, the Medical Committee will re-evaluate your 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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