If you’ve been convicted of DWI in North Carolina, and you have to get an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle, ALCOLOCK has you covered. From Franklin to Wilmington and multiple cities in between, we have numerous ALCOLOCK installation and service centers throughout North Carolina. Our ignition interlock devices meet or exceed North Carolina and federal standards, so you can be sure you are in compliance as far as the device itself.
North Carolina’s DWI laws are arguably some of the toughest in the country as far as penalties. Repeat offenders who are driving with a revoked license due to a previous DWI may have their cars seized on the spot and sold off, with the proceeds going to the school districts. And while the standard blood alcohol level at which you can be arrested for Driving While Impaired is .08, for repeat offenders, it is .04.
And there is zero tolerance for driving while impaired for anyone under 21, as well as commercial motor vehicle drivers such as truck drivers, bus drivers and daycare vehicle operators.
Limited Driving Privileges
North Carolina law allows for the court to allow limited driving privilegesallowing someone with a revoked license due to DWI to drive for a few specific reasons, including:
- For work
- For school
- For court-ordered assessment or treatment
- Community service related to probation
- Emergency medical care
- Religious services
Each situation is different, and not everyone who has had their license revoked because of a DWI will be allowed to drive for all of the reasons listed. If you do qualify for limited driving privileges, you will be required to get an ignition interlock device installed on each vehicle you own. Drivers are responsible for the costs of installation and service of their ignition interlock devices.
Monetary Hardship
The NC Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) many waive the installation of IIDs on more than one vehicle if the applicant meets the state definition of financial hardship and submits the required forms.
Ignition Interlock Device Requirements
When it comes to ignition interlock devices, North Carolina the laws are very detailed and specific regarding who has to have them installed, and what the alcohol breath content (BAC) can be in order to still pass the breath test and be able to start the car.
For example; who is required to get an ignition interlock device installed after a DWI conviction:
- First offenders if their BAC was .15 or above
- All repeat offenders face mandatory IID installation
And according to this state law,if you were convicted of DWI and your BAC was .15 or above, in many cases, there cannot be ANY alcohol on your breath if you want to pass the ignition interlock breath test. For example:
- If this was your first DWI offense, you can still drive if your BAC is less than .04 when you blow into the device
- If you were convicted of DWI within the last seven years and this is a subsequent offense, the IID will lock you out if you blow anything more than 0.0
- If you were driving a commercial vehicle, were under 21, or you were charged with manslaughter or negligent homicide in connection with your DWI, the IID will lock you out if you blow anything more than 0.0
Ignition Interlock Device Installation
If you meet the program requirements, call one of our local vendors, or call ALCOLOCK at 866-700-9300 to schedule your installation. In most cases, we can schedule your installation appointment within 48 hours of your call.
What to Expect at Your Ignition Interlock Device Installation Appointment
You should plan for your appointment to last about an hour. During that time, your certified ALCOLOCK technician will install the device in your vehicle. There are two parts to your IID — the Electronic Control Unit, which hooks into your vehicle’s starter, and the handheld unit that you blow into.
Your installation appointment will include full training in how to use the device. The technician will have you blow into the device to calibrate it to you specifically, and to ensure you know how to use the IID properly. The technician will also go over what all of the sounds and lights on the device mean.
Finally, we will schedule your first service appointment before you leave your installation appointment.
Monthly Service Appointments
All 50 states require anyone with an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle to come in for monthly service appointments. Each appointment will take about 20 minutes. During this time, your technician will upload the information the device has recorded to your monitoring agency, which is usually the DMV. The technician will check to make sure the device is in working order, and re-calibrate it if necessary.
Ignition Interlock Device Installation Locations
Check out our ignition interlock device locations below to find the one that is most convenient for you. You can call a service center directly, or call ALCOLOCK at 866-700-9300. You can also use our contact form, and we’ll be in touch shortly.