If you’ve been convicted of DUI or DWI, the court may have ordered you to get an ignition interlock system installed on your car. If you’re wondering how that works, and if you can buy an ignition interlock system, you’ve come to the right place.
When you are under court order to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle, the financial agreement is more of a lease agreement. You don’t actually buy the IID. A state authorized installer, like ALCOLOCK or one of our many trained and authorized technicians at certified locations across the country, will install your system and train you how to use it. That same location will take care of the monthly maintenance and service checks that are required by law. And eventually, when your program is up, the technician will remove the device from your vehicle. You pay an initial installation fee, monthly service appointments, and a removal fee.
The installation and monthly costs will vary by state, make, model and year of your car, length of time you will need the device in your vehicle, and features you choose. All 50 states have ignition interlock device laws on the books. How long you have to lease the ignition interlock system will vary by state, and will vary based on if this is your first offense or a repeat offense.
Can I Buy an Ignition Interlock System for Personal Use?
If you want an ignition interlock system for personal use, ALCOLOCK has you covered. You may not be required by the courts to install an IID, but you want to anyway. This really isn’t unusual. Our customers want a private ignition interlock device for a number of reasons. Maybe you’re in recovery yourself, or you’re worried about a spouse. Maybe you want to make sure your teen driver can’t start the car if they’ve been drinking at a party. Whatever your reasons, installing a personal use ignition interlock device is a great way to keep your family safe, and avoid any DUI charges.
While you can buy an ignition interlock system for personal use, leasing one is more affordable. Monthly fees are lower for personal use ignition interlock devices, because there is no need for the monthly data upload to the state. These are not products that you can install yourself, however. You would still need to schedule a professional installation, and visit your local service center periodically to make sure the device is working as it should.
Whether installation is voluntary or court-ordered, the ALCOLOCK ignition interlock device works the same way. You or the other driver blow into the ignition interlock device mouthpiece, and if your breath alcohol content (BAC) registers over the preset limit, you will not be able to start the vehicle. You will also only need to bring your vehicle in to the service center every 2 months instead of every month to get your device and the electrical control unit (ECU) monitored and calibrated. You don’t have to come in every month because we are not uploading your device data to the state. Since you’re installing the IID voluntarily, we can give you the monitoring reports directly.
ALCOLOCK sells a number of other personal use products as well that can help keep you and your family safe, and encourage you to utilize an Uber, taxi or call a friend when you’re under the influence, instead of getting behind the wheel yourself and risk getting pulled over.
Some of these products include:
Can I Buy Ignition Interlock Systems for My Commercial Vehicle?
If you’re concerned that one or more of your commercial drivers may be tempted to get behind the wheel while they are impaired, installing commercial ignition interlock systems on your commercial vehicles as a precautionary measure can protect you and your company. A lease agreement would be more affordable than an outright purchase. We would give you, the employer, the monthly device reports.
If you’ve been convicted of DUI or DWI and ordered to install an ignition interlock device on your personal vehicle, but you also drive for a living, you may be required to get your employer to let you install an IID on a company van, car or truck. State laws may vary in this regard.
ALCOLOCK works with employers and people who drive for a living every day. We help drivers remain in compliance with their program whether they’re at work or on personal time.
We’re With You On the Way Back
ALCOLOCK is your partner as you work to earn your driver’s license back. Our goal is to see you succeed and comply with the terms of your DUI/DWI ignition interlock device program. Call us at 866-700-9300 with questions, or use our contact form to schedule an installation.