While it is common for an interlock program to fail during the monitoring or hearing, there are a number of violations that occur prior to the install that can cause problems for the driver. By the time the problem is discovered, it is too late to prevent the violation(s) and as such the best time to prevent these types of violations is during the appointment for the install of the interlock.
The following sections explain the variables involved in the install of an interlock, the subsequent servicing schedule and how to choose between a competent interlock service provider and a cheap interlock installation company.
Confirm the order, the vehicle, and the reporting relationship first
Different Authorities can require an interlock as part of a sentence. Different terms and conditions can be placed on an interlock by a Licensing Agency and by a Court. An install of an interlock prior to the terms and conditions of an interlock having been confirmed with the relevant Authority results in the interlock being installed and operating correctly. However, the interlock will not be reporting to the relevant Authority.
Vehicle eligibility questions worth asking in advance
- Is the vehicle registered to the driver, and if not, is written consent from the registered owner required
- Does the driver operate more than one vehicle, and does the order require a device in each
- Is an employer vehicle involved, and does the exemption pathway require an employer letter on file before driving
- Is the vehicle mechanically sound enough to hold a charge through repeated cranking and retests
Vehicle electronics decide how long the appointment takes
Wiring, Interlock requirements are typically established by a specific authority, and the interlock device reports to that authority. Thus, the terms and conditions of an interlock requirement imposed by a licensing agency are different from those imposed by a court. An install for a court-imposed requirement has a different start date and different proof-of-installation requirements than an install for a licensing agency-imposed restriction. Thus, booking an install before determining the terms and conditions of an interlock requirement can result in an install of an interlock device that will report correctly and to the proper authority, but to no one.
The typical conflicts with interlock installation involve remote start systems, installed by the factory as well as aftermarket versions. These systems typically need to be disabled for interlock installation. A major concern is that someone could start the vehicle without providing a breath sample thus negating the purpose of the interlock.
What to bring to the appointment
- The order, notice of restriction, or court document that states the requirement
- Photo identification and current vehicle registration
- Any owner consent or employer documentation the program requires
- Payment method for installation and the first monitoring period
Servicing intervals and how events get classified
Most failed interlock programs fail not during monitoring or hearing but rather within two weeks of the install of the interlock device, the worst time. This often occurs because the driver books an appointment for install of the interlock with incorrect documentation, the wrong car, or an incorrect idea of how the interlock will function. Thus the single best opportunity to ensure that no violations occur is the appointment for install of the interlock device.
It is also very important to know how an interlock reports what it has recorded. A driver’s log that is reviewed by the monitoring authorities is a representation of what the interlock has reported.
| Recorded event | Common cause | Typical device response |
| Initial test fail below the set point | Mouthwash, medication, residual food alcohol | Short lockout, retest permitted after a wait |
| Repeated fails in one session | Actual consumption or untreated mouth alcohol | Extended lockout, flagged in the report |
| Missed rolling retest | Driver ignored the prompt or pulled over too late | Alarm, logged violation, no engine shutdown |
| Power interruption | Battery service, weak battery, tampering | Logged as a circumvention event pending review |
| Missed service appointment | Scheduling lapse | Warning period, then permanent lockout |
Judging whether a provider is actually qualified
The interlock models that are offered by individual companies can be very different from each other even if they are all approved by the State as interlock models. To install and/or to calibrate an interlock, a company must be certified by the State for that specific interlock model. Moreover, when arranging DUI interlock installation in Redlands CA, drivers should favor a shop whose technicians can give a detailed description of how the interlock in question reports to the monitoring center.
Questions that reveal service quality
- How quickly can a lockout or false-positive dispute be addressed, including after hours
- Are loaner or mobile service options available if the vehicle cannot be driven in
- Is the full fee schedule disclosed in writing, including removal and missed-appointment charges
- Who transmits the reports, and can the driver obtain a copy of their own log
DUI Interlock Installation Redlands CA, Reporting to the State for Your Case. At DUI Interlock Installation Redlands CA, we work with a number of providers for Interlock Installation throughout the country. Each of these Interlock Installation providers is authorized by the State to report Interlock Violations to a number of State approved monitoring agencies. At DUI Interlock Installation Redlands CA, we will ask the provider what State agency your case will be reported to.
Setting expectations for the first month
Early retests are typically scheduled within the first month of the DUI offender’s term in the interlock program. A clean first month is considered to be of more value than any subsequent number of months the offender is required to complete his or her term of interlock. To complete early retests successfully, the DUI offender must understand the behavior change that the interlock system is designed to effectuate. This means, instead of blowing into a handset, for example, the offender must complete a number of rolling retests. Such retests can be required at any time and the offender must complete them within a short time frame, for example, within 15 minutes.
