How Do You Get an Ignition Interlock Device?

If you need or want to get an ignition interlock device, you’ve come to the right place. If you’re wondering “how do you get an ignition interlock device?”, the answer is simple. Call ALCOLOCK.

State or Court Required Ignition Interlock Device Installation

OK, so it’s a little more detailed than just a phone call. If you have been convicted of DUI and the court ordered you to get an IID installed, or if you need one so you can drive in your state’s restricted driving program, you’ll need to supply that paperwork to us. Once we have verified you are eligible for your state’s program, we will get you on the schedule. In most cases, we can complete your installation within two days of your initial call.

All 50 states have ignition interlock laws on the books. Some states are all offender states, which means anyone convicted of DUI, even first time offenders, have to get an ignition interlock device installed and complete the restricted driving program before you can get full driving privileges back.

For specifics on your state’s interlock restricted license program, you’ll want to visit the DMV or DOT website. They usually have a summary of the program and its requirements, as well as an FAQ section and PDFs that you can download and fill out to apply for the program.

After Installation

After your installation, you are free to drive within any parameters set by the state or the courts. You may have a limit on the hours of the day you can drive, or where you can drive. The device will record every time you give a breath sample, whether on startup, or as a rolling retest. At a minimum, it will record the date, time, and test results.

Everything the device records will be transmitted to your monitoring agency — the DMV, the courts, your probation officer. In most cases, we transmit that information to your monitoring agency as part of each service visit. Regular service visits are generally once every 30-60 days, depending on your state requirements. Most states also require us to notify the monitoring agency of a pre-set number of test failures, or a permanent lockout.

Voluntary Ignition Interlock Device Installation

Believe it or not, we actually have a lot of customers who want to voluntarily install an ignition interlock device. That’s because research shows ignition interlock devices prevent drunk driving. Common situations include:

  • Installing an IID to keep a teen driver from driving drunk
  • IID installation as part of a recovery program
  • IID installation to ensure employees don’t drive company vehicles if they’ve been drinking
  • And more

If you are not required to get an interlock device installed, but you have your own reasons for wanting to install one, we can help with that, too. And instead of providing test results to a monitoring agency, we provide them directly to you.

What to Expect At Your Ignition Interlock Device Installation

On the day of your ignition interlock device installation, someone of your choosing will drive you and your vehicle to one of our service centers. When you arrive, your technician will get your paperwork, and before you leave, will give you proof of installation that you can then give to the DMV or court system to show that you had the installation done.

Your installation appointment will last about an hour. During that time, the technician will install the electronic control unit (ECU) and connect the handheld device. The tech will then calibrate the device to you, specifically. This may include you giving an initial breath sample. If your device is camera-equipped, it will also take a picture of you to store as a reference point. This is one of many ways that the devices help ensure you don’t try and get someone else to take the breath test for you.

Once the device is calibrated, your technician will explain how to give a proper breath sample, as well as what all of the lights, sounds, and messages mean. You will get a user’s manual to help you if you forget something. If someone else will be driving your car while the IID is installed, we will go through everything with that person as well.

Finally, before you get behind the wheel, you will schedule your first service visit. Those are generally every 30 days and last about 20 minutes.

Schedule Ignition Interlock Device Installation

If you need to get an IID installed, ALCOLOCK can help. We have a number of ignition interlock device installation locations in states across the country. Just call the service location most convenient to you to set up your appointment. Keep in mind that where you get the device installed is where you will take your vehicle in for monthly service visits. You can also call ALCOLOCK directly at (866) 700-9300. In most cases, we can get your installation completed within 2 days of your call,

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