If you’ve been convicted of DUI or refused the chemical test after a DUI arrest, you may be required to get an ignition interlock device IID) installed on your vehicle(s) as part of getting your unrestricted license back. All 50 states have ignition interlock laws with different requirements for first and subsequent DUI offenses. While those requirements may differ, what you can expect at your ignition interlock device installation appointment is pretty standard, across the board.
That’s because all states require ignition interlock device providers like ALCOLOCK to meet or exceed the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) model specifications for ignition interlocks. That includes the installation process. You are responsible for all costs related to the installation and maintenance of your device.
Have Someone Come with You
When you schedule your appointment, keep in mind you will need to have someone drive you and your vehicle to the service location. This, of course, is because you are prohibited from driving any vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device.
If another person will be driving the vehicle while you have the IID installed, make sure they come to the installation appointment. This installation appointment generally takes about an hour. That includes the physical installation of the device, along with calibration and training.
Installation of Your Ignition Interlock Device
We can install an ignition interlock device on any motor vehicle with a standard 12-volt electrical system. That basically includes all vehicles on the road today except for some classic or antique cars. The technician takes great care not to scratch or scuff your vehicle while performing the installation. And rest assured, the IID itself will not damage your vehicle in any way.
The IID is composed of two parts: the handheld device with a mouthpiece that you breathe into, and the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The technician will wire the ECU into your vehicle’s starter, and connect the handheld device to the ECU.
Calibration and Training
Prior to installing the device, the technician will calibrate the device that will be issued to you. They will have you breathe into the device until you have done it correctly, to ensure you give an accurate sample.
They will give you a user’s manual, and explain what all of the sounds and screen messages mean. The technician will ensure that you understand the program requirements inside and out, to increase your chances of successfully completing the program.
You will learn about:
- Startup tests
- Rolling retests
- Troubleshooting tips
- Program violations and how to avoid them
- Maintenance visits
The technician will answer any questions you may have and will refer you to your state’s program or DUI lawyer as necessary. At the installation appointment, you will also pay the installation fee, and you can set up automatic billing if you wish. Our goal is to help you succeed in your ignition interlock device program.
Maintenance Appointments
Before you leave, your technician will schedule your first IID maintenance appointment. In most situations, the state requires you to bring your vehicle in each month. These maintenance appointments take about 20 minutes, so you can either wait on-site or run a quick errand. At these appointments, your technician will re-calibrate the device if needed, and answer any questions you may have.
As far as the state is concerned, the focus of these appointments is data retrieval. Your technician will download all of the information the device has recorded, and then make that available to your monitoring agency, such as the court system, your probation officer, the DMV/DOT, or all of the above.
You may be required to come in before your scheduled appointment if you are locked out or found to be in violation of the program.
Schedule Your Ignition Interlock Device Installation Appointment
If you’ve been ordered to get an IID installed on your vehicle, help is just a phone call away. Call one of our service locations directly, or call ALCOLOCK at (866) 700-9300 to schedule your ignition interlock device installation appointment. Be sure you have all of the paperwork from the courts and the Department of Motor Vehicles when you call. That will speed things up as far as scheduling. Once we have confirmed that you are eligible for the program, we can generally get you in within two business days. We offer fast and affordable ignition interlock device installation and maintenance at locations around the country.