Ignition interlock devices, or IIDs, are not items that anyone wants to sign up for. In fact, simply going to an appointment to have an interlock device installed is usually enough to make most people uncomfortable. It is the preparation for the interlock program, or lack thereof, that causes the most discomfort to most people. Most people are not even informed as to what to expect from their first appointment with an interlock certified installation technician. As a result, most people will go for weeks or even months while they are in the interlock program for a variety of reasons not knowing how to best complete their requirements and return to full use of their interlock equipped vehicle as quickly and efficiently as possible.
So let’s actually fix that.
A Whole Ecosystem
An IID Compliance Program is more than an interlock device attached to the ignition of your vehicle. It is an ecosystem of how a program reports and tracks violations, IID calibration, monthly charges for the use of an IID, and how all of the other parties (i.e. courts, DMV’s, State Police, etc.) are notified of all of the events that take place while an IID is installed on a vehicle and its owner. Before your first appointment with an IID provider for the installation of an IID it would be wise to familiarize yourself with the entire IID Compliance Program to understand all of the components and how they interact with each other to form the entire program of IID installation on a vehicle.
Each state requires IID’s to be installed and used under different circumstances. Some states require an IID to be installed as soon as a person is arrested for a DUI offense. Other states require the IID to be installed after a person is convicted of a DUI offense and their license is reinstated. There are a few states that have different requirements based on the BAC level of the offense. Make sure you read your court order or DMV notification carefully and understand the requirements for your state. Even similar offenses in different states have different requirements.
What actually happens at installation
At the beginning of the installation a driver will be given information about the approved IID provider for their state and will be given the opportunity to schedule the installation for a time and location that is most suitable for the driver. Typically the installation of an IID will take about 1-2 hours for the technician to complete the wiring of the device to the vehicles ignition system and to calibrate the IID to the requirements of the court or the DMV of the state where the driver received their DUI conviction. During the installation the technician will also educate the driver on how to properly provide a sample for testing with the IID and explain how the rolling retests work and how other items could cause a false reading on the IID such as ripe bananas, energy drinks and some mouthwash that contains alcohol.
It is also good to note that there are many foods today that have been known to cause problems with an interlock. In fact, there are many substances in today’s world that can trigger an interlock reading. As an example, a ripe banana can register a high reading, as well as many energy drinks on the market today. Some mouth wash also has alcohol in it which can also cause a problem. In these cases, it is best to rinse your mouth out with water and wait a few minutes before taking your test. In some cases, this will not work and a reading will be taken anyway.
Rolling retests — the feature nobody warns you about
The first thing that you need to know about the IID’s in the system of interlock programs for those who have been convicted of a DUI is that the rolling retests surprise the heck out of people. They get shocked when they start up their car and after a few minutes they get beeped and have to start taking rolling retests to see if they have been drinking after they started up their car to go and pick up more beer to go and get impaired and drive. The people who have not been drinking after starting up their car to go to work are also surprised by the rolling retests and can get beeping and flashing lights in their car and the IID can log a violation for them depending on the settings in their state and the features that their provider has set up for their case.
Retesting events are announced by a beep and a voice prompt asking the driver to complete another breath sample. The driver is given a short amount of time (10-30 seconds) to complete the additional test. If the driver fails to complete the test within the compliance time or fails the test, the event is logged by the interlock. Events logged by the interlock can trigger alarms or notifications to law enforcement or other authorities depending on the laws of the state where the interlock is installed and the rules of the provider installing the interlock. If you need professional assistance with your device, you can find a reliable ignition interlock Harrisonburg VA provider to help you stay compliant.
It is normal to feel somewhat disoriented at first by the rolling retests. For the first few tests, you will likely have enough time to pull over to the side of the road while driving on a straight section of road. The retest prompts will become more problematic for you while you are merging onto a busy road such as I-81. In such cases, it is very important to pull over to the side of the road as soon as it is safe to do so in order to complete the test.
Choose an IID Provider
All providers are listed by your state’s DMV or court in the list of providers that are approved to fulfill the requirements of your IID installation after your DUI arrest. A device not installed by a certified technician from an approved provider will not be considered to meet the requirements of your court ordered or DMV mandated IID program. If you live in the Shenandoah Valley you can look to Road Guard Interlock for IID installation in Harrisonburg VA as well as the rest of Virginia.
Additionally, the location of your IID service provider is very important. As you mentioned earlier, you do travel with your car but your car is your prison while you are required to have an IID installed in your vehicle. For the entire duration of your required program (6 months, 1 year, etc.) your IID must be calibrated every 30 to 60 days. If you select a provider that is too far for you to travel, you will eventually find yourself in a situation where you are late making an appointment. Unfortunately, late appointments result in failed tests and additional consequences for your failure to comply with your required interlock program.
Mistakes to Avoid Before Installation | Ignition Interlock | Road Guard Interlock
- Missing a calibration appointment. Logged as a violation even if your device is functioning perfectly and you simply forgot.
- Letting someone else blow into the device. This is fraud. Program termination plus additional charges — not a gray area.
- Assuming the device doesn’t track everything. It does. Failed tests, missed retests, power disconnects. Everything.
- Using alcohol-based products before driving without rinsing first. Sounds minor. Becomes less minor once it generates a flag on your record.
A quick reference before you start
| What to know | Why it matters | What to do |
| Court or DMV order details | Dictates your specific timeline and requirements | Read your paperwork carefully; ask your attorney if anything is unclear |
| Calibration schedule | Missed visits are logged as violations | Book appointments well in advance and set reminders |
| Rolling retest behavior | Unexpected prompts can catch drivers dangerously off guard | Pull over safely, stay calm, comply within the window |
| Food and drink interactions | Can trigger false readings that show up on your record | Rinse with water before every test |
| Device tampering or circumvention | Serious, program-ending legal consequences | Don’t. Full stop. |
One last thing
Interlock programs are typically easily managed by someone trying their best to remain sober. The interlock program, and how the interlock device logs all of the events — both good and bad — is the one part of the DUI and Interlock program that someone trying their best to remain sober can not anticipate, and is easily caught off guard by.
However, with any program, once you understand how the program works and how the interlock works, you can allow the program to manage itself and you will have no problems throughout the duration of your program.