The installation appointment is a critical point in time for professionals counseling drivers on their way back to driving with a rebuilt license. This is where paperwork turns into physical obligation and most avoidable non-compliance occurs. A single missing document or a misunderstanding of the service to be rendered at the installation center can lead to downstream non-compliance with far greater costs than the appointment itself.
What the driver needs to bring and why it matters
Most installation centers will not schedule an installation appointment without proof that the driver is eligible for installation of the interlock device on the vehicle and that the vehicle will work with the device. Many states and monitoring authorities publish a checklist of the requirements for installation of interlock devices in that state. The checklist of requirements published by the governing agency for installation of interlock devices should always be consulted in addition to the general list of installation requirements.
- A court order, DMV notice, or program referral specifying the required device class and restriction period
- Current vehicle registration, plus written owner consent if the driver is not the registered owner
- Proof of insurance, which some jurisdictions require the installer to record
- Photo identification matching the name on the order
- Payment method for installation and the first monitoring period
Vehicle condition checks that can stop the appointment
The shop needs to know if there is any unusual electrical setup in the car such as a failing battery, aftermarket alarm wire, damaged ignition harness or even a hybrid with a non-standard start-up sequence. Some makes and models of cars even require special parts for push-button start vehicles as well as some of the European models. Find out the year, make and model of the installed interlock’s driver’s car and call and confirm installation time with the shop in advance to avoid an unnecessary trip to the shop.
Inside the installation itself
Depending on vehicle make and model, this physical work can typically take between 1 and 3 hours to complete. For example, the handheld unit is typically mounted within easy reach of the driver. The cable is then run down to a control module behind the dash and spliced into the starter circuit, ignition switched power and ground. On certain vehicles where camera verification is also required, a lens will be mounted to verify the driver’s face prior to the commencement of a test.
After the installation of the interlock device, the DUI Interlock installation technician programs the handheld unit for the work done that day. He or she will first set the blood alcohol content (BAC) rolling retest alcohol threshold for the work done that day. Then he or she will set the rolling retest interval. The device also needs to be set to the correct time and date. This information is synced to the monitoring server used by the governing authority in California for DUI interlock installation, such as the DMV or other state agency, like the Department of Motor Vehicles.
The training session is the part clients skip
The driver and counselor will see a demonstration of a “good” breath sample, including making a steady stream of air, followed by a “hum” or “inhale” and then be instructed on how to complete a “rolling retest” as well as learn the meaning of the various tones that the handheld unit makes, including how long the driver has to complete a retest while traveling. Practicing making two “good” samples in the shop bay is far better than practicing on the way to work the next morning.
The service and reporting calendar
Once an interlock has been installed at an install center, devices record all events, such as all breath tests, and need to be taken to a Service Center for download and calibration at regular intervals (typically 30 or 60 days depending on the device type and jurisdiction).
| Stage | Typical timing | What happens |
| Installation | Day 0 | Device fitted, calibrated, driver trained, certificate issued |
| First service visit | 30 to 60 days | Data download, sensor recalibration, firmware check |
| Ongoing service | Every 30 to 60 days | Same as above, plus report filed with the monitoring authority |
| Removal | End of restriction period | Device removed, wiring restored, final report submitted |
Missed appointments and lockout behavior
Most devices will go into a warning mode a few days prior to the servicing appointment and then lock out the driver for good (requiring a tow or mobile service call and being charged for it) when the service date and time passes. Clients in the Inland Empire are usually best served by booking both the fitting and the recurring calibration visits at the same shop, so a provider handling DUI interlock installation in Rancho Cucamonga CA is worth lining up before the first deadline arrives. Reminding the client of the service appointment a week prior to the shop’s own reminders will usually avert these types of avoidable problems.
What counts as a violation
Please note that the installers record ALL events that occur on the interlock and these can be accessed by the driver and his or her advisor to verify why a lockout occurred and not vice versa.
- Breath samples at or above the set threshold, including initial and rolling retests
- Refused or missed retests while the engine is running
- Tampering indicators such as power interruptions or circuit bypass attempts
- Attempts to start the vehicle without providing a sample
A few minutes to rinse out the mouth and wait can prevent a wrong finding due to mouthwash, some prescribed medications and the remnants of food. Remind your clients of this and make sure you are familiar with the thresholds set by the monitoring authority and the consequent penalties for a violation as they may vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another and even from one court to another.
