Course overview
An Alcohol and Drug Awareness Course (ADAC) is a course approved by the Road Transport Authority (RTA) that raises awareness about the effects of alcohol and drugs, including on driving and health.
If you have committed any of the following drink or drug driving offences under the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977 you will need to complete an alcohol and drug awareness course to keep (or obtain) your ACT drivers licence:
- Driving with a prescribed concentration of alcohol in your blood or breath (Section 19)
- Driving with a prescribed drug in your oral fluid or blood (Section 20)
- Driving with prescribed concentration of alcohol and prescribed drug in bodily fluid (Section 21)
- Refusing to provide breath sample (Section 22)
- Refusing to provide oral fluid sample (Section 22A)
- Refusing to undergo an alcohol screening test (Section 22C)
- Refusing a blood test (Section 23)
- Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a drug (Section 24)
For more about offences see drink and drug driving.
Types of course
Depending on your offence, and any previous offences, you will need to complete either the standard course or the extended course.
Standard course
Standard course
You must complete the standard alcohol and drug driving awareness course if:
- you were convicted or found guilty of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below 0.08 or were driving with drugs; and/or
- You are classed as a first offender, meaning it is the first time that you have been convicted or found guilty of a drink or drug driving offence (excluding combined drink and drug driving offences).
If this is not your first drink or drug driving offence, your recorded BAC level was above 0.08 or if the offence was that of combined drink and drug driving, you must complete the extended course. The extended course is also required if you refuse a blood, breath or fluid sample.
Extended course
Extended course
If you do not fulfil the criteria for the standard course, you must complete the extended course.
The extended course is required if:
- you were convicted or found guilty of driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was 0.08 or higher;
- You are a repeat offender, meaning this is not your first drink or drug driving offence; and/or
- You were convicted or found guilty of a combined drink and drug driving offence.
You will need to complete the extended course if you have refused a blood, breath or fluid sample.
Course completion
You do not need to wait until you are convicted or found guilty to complete an alcohol and drug awareness course. If you complete a course prior to being convicted or eligible to be relicensed, it may reduce the time it takes to be issued with a restricted or probationary licence if course availability or spaces are limited.
You will need to complete the course and submit evidence to Access Canberra:
- before a restricted or probationary licence can be issued after being disqualified; or
- within 6 months of being found guilty if your licence was not disqualified; or
- on or before applying for an ACT driver licence if you do not hold an ACT licence or you were not an ACT licence holder at the time of the offence.
Access Canberra manages the ACT’s driver licencing program and has more information on licensing requirements and conditions. If you are unsure which licence applies to you or when you are eligible to apply please contact Access Canberra.
Once you have completed the course, your next steps will depend on the type of licence you need to retain or apply for.
Retain your licence
Retain your licence
If you were not disqualified from driving you must send the course completion certificate to Access Canberra within 6 months after your court conviction date.
Either email LARA@act.gov.au or send the certificate by post to Licence and Registration Administration Team, GPO Box 158, Canberra City, ACT 2601. You can also submit your course certificate in person by visiting an Access Canberra Service Centre.
Get a restricted licence
Get a restricted licence
If you were disqualified from driving and granted approval to be issued a restricted licence by the court, you will need to submit the course completion certificate to Access Canberra as part of your restricted licence application.
Once you have provided the certificate you may be eligible to be issued with a restricted licence. Your restricted licence will expire at the end of your disqualification period and you will need to apply for your probationary licence.
Get a probationary licence
Get a probationary licence
If you were disqualified from driving and were not granted a restricted licence, or your restricted driver licence has expired, you will need to apply for a probationary licence when you are eligible to be re-licenced. You must apply for your probationary licence in person at an Access Canberra Service Centre. You will need to present your course certificate along with your application.
Course providers
Approved courses are provided at a variety of locations, times and dates so you can attend the course that best suits you.
You need to bring photo ID such as a passport or proof of identity card to complete the course.
For more information including fees and how to enrol visit please contact the course provider.
Exemptions
You may not be required to complete an alcohol and drug awareness course if:
- You have completed the applicable course within the 12 months prior to the offence and provided evidence of this to Access Canberra.
- You are required to undertake the Court Ordered Therapeutic Program as part of your interlock licence requirements.
- You have been granted an exemption from completing the course.
An exemption from the course requirement may be granted in other exceptional circumstances. To apply for an exemption or extension of time due to exceptional circumstances, please submit your application in writing, outlining your circumstances and include all supporting information required to assess your application.
Supporting information may include:
- details and evidence from a medical practitioner
- information relating to your finances
- employment/study statements and information
- any other information relevant to your application.
In assessing your application Access Canberra will consider factors such as:
- the merits of your application
- rehabilitation or remedial actions
- the likelihood of unreasonable inconvenience or loss if you were required to attend the course
- if it would be unreasonable to require you to attend the course.
You might be asked to provide additional information to support your application. If you do not respond to this request, your exemption application may not be able to be reviewed.
Exemptions are not available because you cannot attend a specific course location or time.
Exemption applications can be posted to Access Canberra Licence and Registration Administration Team, GPO Box 158, Canberra City, ACT 2601.
