81APower to inspect interlocks in motor vehicle

81A Power to inspect interlocks in motor vehicle (1) This section applies if a police officer or authorised person suspects on reasonable grounds that— (a) a person is driving a motor vehicle on a road or road related area; and (b) the person is an interlock driver. (2) The police officer or authorised person may–– (a) stop and detain the motor vehicle; and (b) enter the vehicle to inspect and test any interlock that is installed in the vehicle to find out whether the interlock–– (i) is a fitted interlock; and (ii) is operating correctly or has been tampered with. Example––tampering removing or interfering with a tamper-evident seal on the fitted interlock (3) In exercising a power under subsection (2) in relation to a vehicle, a police officer or authorised person— (a) may use the assistance that is necessary; and (b) must search the vehicle in a public place or somewhere else to which members of the public have ready access; and (c) must not detain the vehicle for longer than is necessary and reasonable to search it; and (d) may use the force that is necessary and reasonable in the circumstances, but must not damage the vehicle by forcing open a part of the vehicle unless— (i) someone apparently in charge of the vehicle has been given a reasonable opportunity to open that part; or

(ii) it is not possible to give anyone apparently in charge of the vehicle a reasonable opportunity to open that part. (4) In this section: fitted interlock––see the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) interlock––see the Road Transport (Driver Licensing) interlock driver––see the Road Transport (Driver Licensing)