How does an Ignition Interlock Device work?

If you’re watching this, it may be because you have been arrested for a DUI and you have some questions on what is an Ignition Interlock Device is (known as an IID), and whether the court is going to order you to get one installed in your car.

An Ignition Interlock Device is a portable breathalyzer that’s installed in your vehicle where you have to blow into the device to measure whether you have any alcohol in your system before you drive.

An Ignition Interlock Device is commonly used when you’re trying to get a restricted license, meaning if you’ve just been arrested for a DUI and you can’t afford to have any kind of suspension on your license.

It can also apply if you’ve been convicted of a DUI, and the length of time that an Ignition Interlock Device is installed in your car is really dependent upon a number of factors:

• For instance, let’s say it’s your first DUI offense and your blood alcohol level is 0.15% or greater at the time of driving. Well, even in that situation for a first offense, the court can and may impose an IID requirement for you to install the IID in your car for up to six months.
• If you have a prior DUI conviction within 10 years, and let’s say that in your current case this would be considered your second DUI offense, then the IID requirement can go up, meaning it could go up to one year as opposed to the six months. And then of course if you have multiple DUI prior convictions, whether it’s three or four within the last 10 years, then the length of time in which you’re supposed to have an IID requirement goes up as well.

So you can understand that the punishment goes up depending upon the number of priors that you have within a 10 year period.

If you have an IID installed in your car, you’re going to have to blow into the Breathalyzer before you start the car, and of course the Breathalyzer is determining whether you have any measurable amount of alcohol in your blood.

Now as you continue to drive, you may be required to pull over and also blow into the Breathalyzer in what’s called a rolling stop.

So the Breathalyzer serves a function where you don’t just blow into it before you start the car. You’re going to also have to likely blow into it as you’re driving the car, causing you to pull over.

Now another thing about the IID is that if you happen to pull over and you blow into the Breathalyzer and let’s say that there is some sort of reading of alcohol in your system. Now the car is not just going to stop in the middle of the road. But there will be a reporting of any kind of failed sample.

So you just want to be mindful of that knowing that as you pull over and if you have to blow into the Breathalyzer, it will document any kind of failed test.

There are also some expenses associated with an IID.

Keep in mind that you’re going to have to get it professionally installed in your vehicle which can cost anywhere from $100 to $150, and of course there’s going to be maintenance charges throughout the course of the IID, perhaps every 60 days.

Also keep in mind that there is a daily cost associated with having an IID installed in your car, so the costs can add up when you’re thinking about an IID requirement.

If you’re watching this, I know you’re overwhelmed with all this information I gave you and you have other questions about the IID process.

I can assure you that you need an excellent criminal defense attorney who knows the ins and outs about DUI laws and how to navigate the system when you have a DUI. So please make sure to pick up the phone and give us a call and we’d be more than happy to discuss your case during a legal consultation.