We've recently started offering Smart Start alcohol interlock installations here at Strathfield Car Radios, and it's a service I'm really glad we now provide. A few customers have asked me the same thing before booking in: "What's actually about to happen?" So I thought I'd write it down properly, the way I'd explain it in person, for anyone in Strathfield or across Sydney who's got an interlock installation coming up.

Why People End Up Needing One

Most customers have been told by Transport for NSW that an alcohol interlock is a condition of getting their licence back — that's the Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Program (MAIP), and it applies to mid-range, high-range, repeat, and refusal offences. Some customers want one fitted voluntarily, or for a work vehicle. Either way, the installation process itself is the same.

Before You Come In

The two things I always tell people to bring are their paperwork from Transport for NSW (the letter that confirms you're eligible) and photo ID. Your vehicle also needs to be roadworthy and currently registered — we do a quick check of the electrical system before anything gets fitted, because that tells us whether your car needs any extra parts or labour (this comes up more with hybrids, EVs, and push-button start vehicles).

What Happens on the Day

• Paperwork and ID check — quick, just confirming everything matches your program requirements.
• Vehicle inspection — I check the electrical system to make sure the fit will be clean and reliable.
• Installation — the interlock (we fit the Smart Start SSI 20/20 and SSI 20/30) gets wired in. For a standard vehicle this usually takes a couple of hours.
• Training — this is the part people underestimate. I sit with you and go through exactly how to give a breath sample, what the display messages mean, and how the rolling retests work while you're driving. You won't leave without understanding it.
• Servicing schedule — before you go, we book your first service appointment, because the device needs to be checked regularly to stay compliant with your program.

The Bit Nobody Tells You: Rolling Retests

This one catches people out. Once you're driving, the device will randomly ask for another breath sample — the first one somewhere between 5 and 15 minutes after you start the engine, then again at random intervals after that. You get a window of time to safely pull over and blow. It's not a fail if you take a minute to find a safe spot — it's a fail if you ignore it. I make sure every customer knows this before they drive off.

Can It Be Fitted to Any Vehicle?

Cars, motorcycles, commercial and fleet vehicles can all have an interlock fitted, though the exact method varies — a motorcycle unit, for example, sits in a weather-resistant bag rather than being mounted like it is in a car. If you're not sure whether your vehicle is a straightforward fit, give us a call and we'll talk it through before you book.

Book Your Installation in Strathfield

As a new addition to what we offer, we're set up to handle the full process from your first appointment through to your regular servicing. You can read more about the service and book a time on our Smart Start Interlock Installation page, or jump straight to the booking form.

We install for customers right across Strathfield, Burwood, Homebush, Lidcombe, Auburn, and the rest of Sydney's inner west — so if you're nearby, we're an easy one to get to.

Book your installation today