I think most of you know by now that Learners and P Platers are subject to a Zero alcohol level ruling, but did you know that as a supervisor you can also be breathalysed if you are driving with a Learner? I know I just about jumped out of my seat when the police knocked on the window for me to take the test the first time, “tip of the day – don’t hold your breath while the learner is blowing in the breathalyser like I do”. Below are some other vehicles/drivers to which the zero BAC applies.
What is the legal limit?
The amount of alcohol you are allowed to have in your body when you are driving will depend upon the type of vehicle(s) you are authorised to drive and the current status of your licence. The following information sets out the various BAC limits and when they apply. Drivers and riders should be aware these penalties may change from time to time.
Zero BAC applies to:
novice drivers – a person is a novice driver until they have held a licence for minimum two years or periods adding up to two years
drivers of hire and reward vehicles (I don’t hire many cars but I wasn’t aware of this rule, check with the hire company next time you hire a car)
drivers of passenger vehicles with capacity to carry more than 12 adult passengers
drivers of certain heavy vehicles
drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods
extraordinary licence holders
recently disqualified drivers
The zero BAC limit for certain drivers may not apply at all times. Please visit http://www.transport.wa.gov.au/dvs for further information on when a driver must have a BAC limit of zero.
0.05 BAC applies to: All other drivers.
Important: All novice drivers are subject to a zero blood alcohol limit. Supervising drivers are subject to blood alcohol content levels and a prohibition on illicit drugs in their system when supervising a learner driver. These are the same requirements that apply to the supervisor if they were driving the vehicle. You are responsible for ensuring that you do not exceed any BAC levels