A drink driving behaviour change program can feel daunting at first, especially if you’re unsure what the sessions will be like or what you’ll be expected to share. Most programs are designed to be practical and educational, focusing on how alcohol affects judgement, reaction time, and risk perception, alongside realistic strategies for preventing repeat situations. 

When people want a clearer sense of how structured education approaches cover impairment and risk, they often look up a vicroads drink driving course as a reference point while preparing.

Set the right mindset before you walk in

A helpful starting point is to treat the program as a skills-based reset, not a punishment. You don’t need to “perform” remorse or have the perfect explanation ready. What matters is showing up willing to reflect and willing to try different approaches for avoiding risk in the future.

A few mindset reminders that tend to help:

• Expect discomfort at times. That doesn’t mean you’re doing poorly. It usually means you’re engaging honestly.
  
• Focus on what you can control now: choices, routines, and planning.
  
• Aim for progress, not a flawless narrative. Programs are built around learning and change, not scoring you as a person.
  

If you go in thinking “I just need to get through this,” you’ll still complete it, but you’ll likely miss the parts that reduce the chance of repeating the same situation.

Sort the logistics early so you’re not stressed on the day

Logistical stress makes people late, distracted, and defensive. A little planning can remove that friction.

Before your first session:

• Confirm dates, times, and the location or online access details.
  
• Plan transport and arrive early enough to settle in.
  
• Make sure you have any required identification or documentation (if specified).
  
• If you’re doing an online session, test your device, audio, and internet connection beforehand.
  

Also consider your schedule around the session. If you’re rushing from work or childcare, build in a buffer so you aren’t mentally scattered when the session starts.

Do a quick self-audit of “how it happened” without spiralling

You don’t need to relive everything in detail, but some basic reflection makes the program more useful. Try writing short answers to a few prompts ahead of time.

Helpful prompts include:

• What was happening in the hours before the decision to drive?
  
• What was my original plan for getting home, and when did it change?
  
• What thoughts did I use to justify driving?
  
• What social pressure, habits, or routines played a role?
  
• What could have interrupted the sequence earlier?
  

Keep it factual and brief. The goal is to identify patterns and decision points, not to punish yourself.

Identify your risk triggers and your “decision moments”

Most drink driving incidents don’t begin with the moment you pick up keys. They begin earlier, when the night is being planned and boundaries aren’t set. Knowing your triggers helps you build strategies that work in real life.

Common triggers include:

• Unplanned extra drinks because the night ran longer than expected
  
• Driving somewhere “just for a quick stop”
  
• Underestimating impairment because you felt okay
  
• Not wanting to spend money on transport
  
• Feeling responsible for getting others home
  

Now identify the decision moments where you could act differently next time. Examples might be: choosing to drive to the venue, agreeing to be the driver, not booking a ride early, or keeping keys in your pocket all night.

Prepare to participate in a way that feels manageable

People sometimes imagine they’ll be forced to speak in front of a group in a way that feels exposing. In reality, programs are designed to support participation at different comfort levels.

You can prepare by:

• Practising a simple, honest sentence you can use if asked to share (for example, “I didn’t plan transport well and I’m working on changing that.”)
  
• Thinking of one or two questions you genuinely want answered, such as how to handle certain social situations
  
• Reminding yourself that you can engage without oversharing
  

If you tend to shut down when you feel judged, it can help to focus on the practical side: strategies, routines, and what you’ll do differently.

Build a simple prevention plan you can keep using

Before the course even starts, you can draft a straightforward plan that reduces risk. Keep it realistic and repeatable.

A practical prevention plan might include:

• A default rule that you don’t drive to events where drinking could happen
  
• A pre-booked ride home before you go out
  
• A buddy agreement where someone else holds your keys
  
• A clear spending allowance for transport, treated as non-negotiable
  
• A “cut-off” point where you stop making decisions and switch to the plan you set earlier
  

The program will likely help you refine this, but having a starting point makes the learning stick faster.

Use the program to build habits, not just complete a requirement

The biggest benefit comes from taking one or two insights and turning them into routines. After each session, jot down:

• One situation you want to avoid repeating
  
• One strategy you’re willing to try
  
• One early warning sign that you’re drifting toward a risky choice
  

Over time, those small notes become a personalised toolkit.