So, the confusion of my friend started after he picked up his car after the installation of an interlock for the car breathalyzer in the spring. He called me the next day after picking up his car and he sounded very confused. He said that they took his car for 2 hours to install a breath tester or an interlock for the car breathalyzer and he thought that after that, he could just plug in a phone charger like he does for his phone. I said to him, “Well, it’s not like a phone charger.”
What an ignition interlock device actually does
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a Breath Testing or Breath Alcohol Device (BT/ BAD) that is wired into a vehicle’s ignition system to measure a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) before he or she can start the vehicle. Typically an IID is set to a BAC of .02% or .025%. The IID is a clean solution to the problem of people driving while under the influence of alcohol. The installation of an IID is not as clean. There is more to the correct installation of an IID than wiring a unit to the air intake duct of a vehicle and then connecting it to the vehicle’s electrical system. An IID is to be installed by a qualified service provider who has been trained to install an approved IID in a vehicle. A correct installation of an approved IID is hardwired into the vehicle’s electrical system.
This equipment is not installed like a GPS tracking device that is plugged into the air vents or dashboard of your car. Interlock devices are hardwired into the electrical system of your vehicle.
As automotive technology continues to evolve, many modern vehicle systems now rely on advanced electronic components and connected solutions that require proper installation and technical understanding. Installing an interlock in your vehicle is a process that takes a couple of hours with a qualified technician to ensure that your monitoring authority can properly monitor your compliance with the terms of your interlock program.
The installation process, step by step
Below is a step by step process for interlock installation.
- Vehicle inspection: Before anything is connected, the technician checks your car’s battery, existing wiring, and ignition circuitry. An older or modified vehicle can throw surprises here.
- Locating the ignition wires: The tech identifies the specific wires that control the starter circuit. This varies by make, model, and year. Getting this wrong means either the car won’t start at all or the interlock can be bypassed — neither of which is a good outcome.
- Wiring in the control module: The IID’s control module is spliced into the ignition circuit. Connections are soldered or use approved connectors, then insulated properly to prevent corrosion or shorting.
- Mounting the handset: The breath tube and display unit get mounted somewhere accessible — usually near the steering column or center console — where you can actually reach it while seated.
- Calibration and testing: The device is calibrated on-site, and the technician runs multiple test cycles before handing the car back. You should see this step happen. If you don’t, ask.
- Driver orientation: A proper installation includes a walkthrough of how to use the device, what rolling retests look like (yes, you have to test while driving too), and what triggers a violation log.
Why certified providers matter more than you’d think
My name is Josh, and I’m extremely frustrated because I’ve lost count of how many people believe that since they had a Breath Interlock Device (BID or IID) installed in their vehicle as a result of a DUI sentence that all they have to do is get the device installed in their vehicle and as long as the BID’s lights turn green and their vehicle starts that everything is fine and that they’re in full compliance. That a person’s BID can be installed by ANY service provider and that since a BID was installed by a service provider that all models of approved Breath Interlock Devices must work exactly the same for that particular person as long as that same model of approved BID was installed on another person’s vehicle as well. I can assure you that this is absolutely NOT TRUE! Just because a service provider that installs a BID on a person’s vehicle is an approved provider does not necessarily mean that that the approved monitoring service for the state that the person was convicted in will accept that particular provider’s reporting. Every service provider approved to install approved BID’s for a particular state have contracts with the monitoring services for that state, and the only reporting that will be accepted from a particular BID installed by an approved provider will be the reporting that is sent to the monitoring service contracted by the approved provider that did the install. If a person that has been required to have a BID installed on their vehicle because of a DUI sentence is installed with a BID by a provider that has contracted with a different monitoring service contracted by the state than that which the person was required to report to then that person’s reporting will be lost, and that person will be considered to be in full non-compliance for all instances in which their reporting was not accepted.
For those Virginians needing a car breathalyzer installation in Hampton Roads or other surrounding areas, look to the local approved service providers such as car breathalyzer installation Newport News. They are a state-approved service provider for installation of Interlock devices for those Virginians in compliance with the terms of an interlock installation as part of their sentence. The Interlock devices transmit all required data and have all required calibration records and reports sent to the required state monitoring authorities throughout the term of the installation.
A quick look at what good vs. rushed installation looks like
| Factor | Correct installation | Rushed or improper installation |
| Wiring method | Properly spliced, insulated, and secured | Loose connections, exposed wires |
| Calibration | Done on-site, tested before handoff | Skipped or assumed from factory settings |
| Driver training | Full walkthrough of device use and rolling retests | Quick verbal summary or none at all |
| Compliance documentation | State-approved provider, proper data logging | No guarantee of program acceptance |
What to watch out for after installation
While there is little to do after installation of an ignition interlock device, there are things that must be done after the device has been installed. Most interlock devices must be recalibrated every 30 or 60 days, depending on the state’s program requirements. If the interlock device is not recalibrated within the required time frame, it will register a violation on the individual’s record. This can be particularly problematic as it can be perceived that the individual has been drinking and driving. This is not necessarily the case as the individual simply failed to have the interlock device serviced in a timely manner. He or she must make sure that the interlock device is serviced on time in order to avoid any possible problems that could result in revoked driving privileges.
- Set reminders for your recalibration schedule the same day you leave the installation appointment
- Know your device’s camera feature, if it has one, since many newer units photograph each breath sample
- Report any unusual behavior (false lockouts, display errors) to your provider immediately rather than waiting for your next scheduled visit
- Keep your installation documentation in the car — some states require it to be available during traffic stops
Quality installers, as I’ve said before, are everything after the device is installed as well. This means that the device itself, the data that is stored in the program, the log entries in the log that can be printed out from time to time when necessary, the required recalibrations that must be done every 30 or 60 days (or as specified by your state program) in order to prevent a violation from occurring when it would otherwise seem that everything is being done perfectly. And all of those things.
Installing an interlock is one of those situations in which the details of the process (i.e. getting it installed correctly) have a lot of weight. Two hours of your time to get it installed properly is worth it in the long run.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, technical, or DUI compliance advice. Ignition interlock requirements, approved providers, and monitoring programs vary by jurisdiction. Always consult your state’s monitoring authority and use a certified installation provider. The author and publisher disclaim any liability for program violations, installation errors, or other consequences arising from reliance on this content. Device calibration and maintenance must be performed as mandated. This article does not endorse any specific service provider.
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