An alcohol ignition interlock device (IID) is a breath-test device that is connected to a vehicle’s ignition. A vehicle with an IID installed will not start unless the driver blows into the interlock and has a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) below a limit set by the court—usually .02 BAC. IIDs must be installed by a certified technician approved by the state’s department of motor vehicles (DMV). The IID will collect data (engine starts and stops, breath test results, and tampering attempts) and report it to the monitoring company, which will report it to the court.

IIDs reduce repeat offenses for DUI/DWI by approximately 70% when installed. Laws vary from state to state and courts have significant discretion, but a judge may order a person convicted of a first DUI/DWI offense to install an IID and will order a person convicted of a second or third DUI/DWI to install an IID. Courts will often order an IID installed on the defendant’s vehicle as a condition of bond (to be released from jail) and of probation (following jail or prison time, or in lieu of any or more jail or prison time). The court may order the defendant’s IID to remain on the vehicle for 1-3 years or more.

Despite these laws and programs, only about one-fifth of those arrested for DUI/DWI have an IID installed.

In Georgia, the use of an alcohol ignition interlock device (IID) is regulated under state law, particularly for individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). Georgia law mandates the installation of an IID for repeat DUI offenders and gives courts the discretion to require it for first-time offenders. Specifically, under Georgia Code § 42-8-111, a judge is required to order the installation of an IID for all second DUI convictions within a five-year period. For first-time offenders, the installation of an IID is at the court's discretion and may be used as a condition for the reinstatement of driving privileges. The device must be installed by a state-approved technician, and the driver is responsible for the costs associated with the IID, including installation, maintenance, and monitoring. The IID must be calibrated to prevent the vehicle from starting if the driver's BAC is above the preset limit, typically .02 BAC. The data collected by the IID is reported to the monitoring company and, subsequently, to the court. The duration for which an IID must be installed can vary, but it generally ranges from 1 to 3 years, depending on the severity of the offense and the court's orders.