Many people assume that once an ignition interlock device (IID) has been installed in a driver’s vehicle, the only thing the driver has to do is to have the IID serviced every 30-60 days in order to have the sensor on the IID cleaned and to have the records from theIID tests stored on the IID and serviced. In the meantime, the driver must use the IID properly as outlined in the manufacturer’s guidelines, and he or she must not in any way attempt to circumvent the proper use of the IID in order to drive under the influence of alcohol. However, as one can see, the maintenance and operation of an IID is far more complex than what most people have come to assume. In the following information, we will outline the many details involved with the maintenance and use of an IID.
The IID is a very sensitive piece of precision measurement equipment that has been installed in your vehicle in under an hour. It needs to be maintained regularly to ensure that it continues to provide accurate readings. The failure to maintain your IID as required by your state’s program can result in the loss of your driving privileges.
Most IID guides are woefully inadequate to address the maintenance required on a day to day basis. That is what this guide is intended to do. More than inform the user of the process required for the calibration of the breathalyzer sensor found in their IID.
Regular Calibration Maintenance Required
During a service event, a technician travels to a site and calibrates a sensor for a driver. He or she checks the sensor for proper reading and for needed maintenance. During the visit, the site technician downloads information from the device for previous tests completed at the site. That information is then sent to a variety of individuals including a court, DMV, probation officer, etc. How often a sensor needs to be calibrated depends on a variety of factors including the state where a driver resides, and the past compliance of the driver. Calibration’s typically occur every 30-60 days. It is imperative that a driver never attempts to calibrate a sensor. It is a task that requires highly technical expertise.
Most people do not know that the car breathalyzer requires routine maintenance, usually performed by a certified service technician every 30 to 60 days (depending on individual state or court requirements). In addition to calibrating the sensor on the IID to assure accurate measurement of the driver’s BAC reading, the technician will download all previous test results from the IID. The service technician will then upload test results taken after the scheduled service maintenance to the required compliance monitoring agency (court, DMV, probation department, etc.).
What actually happens during a service appointment
- The technician connects the device to a diagnostic system and downloads all recorded breath test data.
- They run calibration gases through the sensor to verify accuracy against known concentrations.
- If the reading is off, they adjust the sensor back into specification.
- They inspect connection points, wiring, and the handset for signs of tampering or damage.
- The data gets transmitted to your monitoring authority.
The typical service appointment for an IID typically takes 20-45 minutes. Technicians are typically busy individuals and they have other appointments to get to. So, typically service appointments for an IID are treated like any other type of appointment that an individual would have to attend to.
Signs the device might need attention sooner
Even if an IID functions properly, there are instances where the device can malfunction requiring unscheduled maintenance. This is why you should contact your service provider as soon as possible and document all correspondence with your service provider regarding any maintenance issues. The following are examples of what could cause an IID to malfunction requiring unscheduled maintenance: blows into the tube instead of mouthpiece, fails to pick up IID, etc.
- The device is displaying error codes or messages you haven’t seen before
- Your car won’t start after a clean breath sample, and you know with certainty you haven’t been drinking
- The handset feels loose or the cord connection seems unstable
- Extreme cold is causing inconsistent behavior (genuinely more common than most drivers expect — cold weather can slow the sensor’s warm-up cycle and produce confusing results)
Remember that a single missed appointment can quickly snowball into a huge problem. However, if you find that your IID needs unscheduled service, call the company and document the entire call. Write down the time and date of the call, explain to the technician what happened, and write down what the technician explains to you. This will be very helpful should the IID company attempt to claim that you violated the terms of your agreement for missing an appointment that you had attempted to schedule but were unable to keep for whatever reason.
Choosing where to get your device serviced
One of the most important factors when choosing a service center for your IID is their proximity to you. The closer the service center is to where you live, the more likely you are to make your car’s servicing a priority and make your calibration window. If the service center is on the other side of the city or even in another state, you run the risk of missing your window which could result in you losing your driving privileges. This is why you should look for a service center that has multiple locations throughout the city or state and also one that is open for extended hours a day. For example, if you live in southern California you would look for breathalyzer device installation Chula Vista which would connect you with local, certified technicians who can install and service your IID.
When you first have an ignition interlock installed for your car, Breath Test Device installation typically includes all of the routine maintenance for the first service appointment as well as a calibration for your ignition interlock breath test device as well. After that routine maintenance service for your IID has been scheduled for your Breath Test Device, for future IID maintenance, IID appointments as well as Breath Test Device Servicing and IID repair it is strongly recommended to use one company for your IID Breath Test Device maintenance that provides IID service for all of your future appointments for IID servicing, including IID maintenance appointments for your interlock breath test. That company can then look at the maintenance history of your IID prior to your routine appointments as well as look for any problems for your IID before they actually occur for your IID.
Local Breath Test Device Installers for an IID as well as the IID servicing maintenance for Breath Test Devices like those made by Ignition Interlock Manufacturers for the IID as well as affordable IID breath test install at an IID service center near you is offered by Interlock at their Chula Vista California location as well as for IID Breath Test Device servicing of all Breath Test Devices made which are approved for use in the state of California for the lowest cost interlock for a breath test. Interlock provides Breath Test Device Maintenance for all makes and models of cars which have an Breath Test Interlock Device installed as well as for all Breath Interlock installed on a car as well as provides the lowest price Breath Test for a car as well that is approved for use within the state of California. ANCHORLINK provides Breath Test Interlock Install for all Breath Test Interlock Devices which are approved for use within the state of California as well.
Service Intervals for IID Maintenance – Comparison Guide
| Service type | Frequency | What’s checked | Who does it |
| Standard calibration | Every 30–60 days | Sensor accuracy, data download, visual inspection | Certified technician |
| Unscheduled inspection | As needed | Error diagnosis, connection integrity, device behavior | Certified technician |
| Device removal | End of program | Full uninstall, final data report, wiring restoration | Certified technician |
The thing people consistently underestimate
Note that as with other things, the IID will lock you out after a specified number of missed service appointments. As a result, you will need to have your IID reset by a service provider to unlock the device, typically for a fee of $75 plus additional fees for having the IID picked up and returned to you. This means that by missing a single maintenance appointment, you may be responsible for as much as $100 and be without your driving privileges as a result.
It is not ideal but it is doable for people with unusual schedules and people who do not have cars and have to take public transportation. But once the maintenance has become a scheduled event and is no longer something that you worry about from week to week, it is a known cost. It is not something that you like to think about but once you have thought about it and scheduled it, it is not something that gives you a lot of headaches. Most people can deal with the maintenance of their interlock device.
