If you have been court ordered to purchase and install an interlock device in order to drive, obeying the rules of the court and complying with the rules of the device will help prevent you from racking up any further fines or penalties. With that being said, you may be wondering, “how many interlock violations can you have?”
In this article, we’re going to answer this question and provide additional information about how to successful avoid violations with a Low Cost Interlock ignition interlock device.
General Low Cost Interlock IID Requirements
A driver with a Low Cost Interlock system installed in their car is required to regularly perform a few actions in order to legally operate their vehicle:
- Give an initial breath sample to turn on the car
- Perform a rolling retest
- Avoid corrupting or damaging the device
- Periodically take the device in for servicing and re-calibration
These actions are part of the IID program and interlock requirements designed to prevent impaired driving and reduce drunk driving incidents. Compliance with these requirements is crucial, as ignition interlock devices monitor alcohol consumption through required breath tests and help ensure that a driver’s blood alcohol content is below the legal limit before operating motor vehicles.
What Happens When You Do Not Comply with Requirements?
Refusal to comply with these or failure to pass these tests can result in violations. Ignition interlock violations can occur if you fail to meet IID requirements, and repeated violations may result in severe penalties, such as extended IID requirements and driver’s license suspension.
Unfortunately, multiple violations can lead to further penalties. At Low Cost Interlock, we understand that violations can take place innocently or through no fault of your own. Do you have multiple interlock device violations and are unsure what to do? We’ve got you covered.
How Many Interlock Violations Can You Have?
If you have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle, understanding how many interlock violations are allowed is essential to protecting your driving privileges and avoiding serious consequences.
An ignition interlock device requires you to provide a breath sample into the device before starting your car and may prompt you for rolling retests while driving. Failing to comply with these requirements, such as missing a breath test, failing a rolling retest, or tampering with the device, can result in an interlock violation.
Harsher Penalties for Repeat Violators
Most states do not set a specific number of interlock violations before imposing penalties. Instead, each violation is recorded and reviewed by the monitoring agency or DMV, and repeated or multiple interlock violations can quickly lead to harsher penalties.
These may include
- License suspension
- An extended period of ignition interlock device installation
- Additional fines
- License revocation
For repeat offenders, the consequences become more severe with each subsequent violation, and violations can lead to further legal penalties and negative consequences for your driving record.
How to Avoid Interlock Violations
To avoid interlock violations, it’s crucial to follow your ignition interlock program’s guidelines closely.
First, always provide the required breath samples. Next, attend every scheduled service appointment. Finally, never attempt to tamper with or bypass the device!
Remember, even a minor violation, such as missing a rolling retest, can count against you and may result in an extended IID requirement or further fines. By staying vigilant and understanding the rules, you can avoid violations and the risk of license suspension or other penalties.
What to Do If You Receive an IID Violation
If you do receive an interlock violation, don’t wait to seek help. Consulting a law office with experience in DUI and ignition interlock cases can make a significant difference.
If the state informs you that you have been found guilty of multiple violations and you believe that to be incorrect, reach out to our helpful staff immediately. We are your advocate and want to ensure that you are not accused or required to pay for mistakes for which you are innocent.
If you were, in fact, guilty of the multiple violations, learn from these mistakes and strategize ways to prevent more from accruing. Multiple interlock device violations can lead to a host of unpleasant consequences. Be wise, comply with the rules of your interlock device, and be sure to never drink and then attempt to drive.
Multiple Interlock Violations: What to Expect
The interlock device is created to log and track any warning signals, failures, or violations during your activities. This log can be viewed during device recalibration, or at the authorities request.
If the device notices multiple violations, especially those pertaining to blowing above the legal .08 threshold, a vehicle lockout may occur. This means that the device will need to be re-calibrated and you will need to speak to a Low Cost Interlock professional regarding these alleged interlock device violations.
Notable Penalties for Repeat Offenders
Legally, the consequences for multiple interlock violations differ by state. A DUI conviction can lead to IID installation, and major violations during the IID program can result in driver’s license suspension and restricted license status. You should know that they can be severe, particularly if the authorities believe you have purposefully damaged or tampered with the device.
Notable penalties for multiple interlock device violations include:
- A penalty that extends the length required to have an interlock
- An extended license suspension period
- Driving on a suspended or revoked license charge
- Further fines
- Jail time
- Vehicle confiscation
- Withdrawal of driver’s license
Subsequent violations and repeat offenses can result in extended IID requirements, reinstatement fees, and more severe penalties.
What to Do If You Are Wrongfully Charged with a Violation
If you are notified by the DMV that, unbeknownst to you, you have been found guilty of multiple violations, contact us and we will do our best to help clear things up, especially if you believe that you have been wrongfully charged with a violation.
At Low Cost Interlock, we offer our customers round the clock customer service, so reach out either via:
- Email: info@lowcostinterlock.com
- Phone: 1.844.218.5396
We know this process is frustrating enough without having the DMV alert you out of the blue that you were guilty of multiple violations for failing several rolling re-tests (especially when you are confident that never occurred). Our goal is to be your advocate to the state and help you clear up any mistakenly attributed violations.
If you wish to prevent accruing multiple violations, you need to do everything in your power to consciously avoid such issues. To start, you should be aware of the most common violations. These include:
Failing the Initial Beath Test
The device has detected alcohol in the sample. If there is enough to trigger this detection but falls beneath the threshold, you will be given a warning. If you attempt to drive and blow above the legal limit of .08, it will be considered a violation.
Multiple failed attempts above .08 can lead to serious consequences. A minor violation may result in a warning or short extension, while a major violation, such as repeated failed tests, carries specific consequences and potential penalties.
Missing the Rolling Retest
If you are asked to take the random rolling test and fail to do so, you will be given a violation. Even a single missed test violation can result in penalization wherein the device requirement period is extended at least a month.
Tampering with the IID
If you attempt to bypass the breath test submission by physically tampering or damaging the device in order to leave it inoperable or only partially operable, it can lead to severe consequences.
Be sure to avoid:
- Bringing the device to an unauthorized service center.
- Taking the car to a mechanic without notifying both Low Cost Interlock and the state about the expected vehicle and device power disconnect
- Altering the car or the device’s wiring to pass a test
- Unauthorized removal of the device
Major violations, such as tampering with the device, multiple failed breath tests, or driving without the IID, are considered serious infractions and can result in significant penalties, program extensions, or license suspensions.
Failure to Appear or Pay
If you do not return to the service center for a recalibration appointment within the seven-day window, it can lead to a violation. Furthermore, if you do not pay the required fees as outlined in your lease agreement, you will be found in noncompliance and have the device seized.
Let Low Cost Interlock Help
So, how many interlock violations can you have? The answer: There is no set number of interlock violations allowed; however, accumulating many interlock violations can lead to increasingly serious consequences, including license suspension, extended ignition interlock device requirements, and further fines.
At Low Cost Interlock, we recommend that you take every step to avoid interlock violations. However, if you find yourself facing a violation, reach out for legal assistance to protect your rights and driving privileges.
Whether you’re located in California or Indiana, Low Cost Interlock has a service center near you in one of our 30 states. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward license reinstatement.
Contact our team for more information about IID violations and how to resolve them.