A repeat drink-driver has been banned again from WA roads after becoming the first person to be caught breaching the State’s new alcohol interlock laws.

The laws, introduced in October, require all high-end or repeat drink-drivers to fit a breath-test machine to their car which prevents it from starting if the driver’s blood alcohol level is above 0.02.

The laws also prevent a driver issued with a restricted “interlock licence” from driving any other vehicle, unless they have been granted a specific exemption.

The first driver banned for breaching those conditions was caught driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.08 while behind the wheel of a car not fitted with an interlock device.

The person automatically had their licence cancelled and has since been convicted of drink-driving and driving without a licence.

They will have to serve their court-imposed suspension before they can re-apply for another interlock licence.

Figures provided by the Department of Transport show 33 people have been given an interlock licence, but hundreds are expected to be on the roads by the end of this year.

The laws apply to anyone convicted of driving under the influence — in excess of 0.15 — or of a second drink-driving offence of any kind within five years.

More than 800 people have lost their licences for “interlock” offences since October last year, but most are still serving their driving bans and cannot apply for a restricted licence.

The scheme requires drivers to fit the machine at their own expense, about $1600, and drive with it for at least six months.

Drivers also have to restart the six-month period if their machine records them at above 0.02 three times. Two drivers have so far have had to restart the program after recording their third strike.

Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said WA had been the last State to introduce an interlock program and she believed it would be an effective deterrent.

“Drink-driving is a major contributor of death and serious injury on our roads and that’s why the McGowan Government is ramping up alcohol and drug testing of drivers,” she said.