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 Idaho, an alcohol ignition interlock device (IID) is a mechanism that prevents a vehicle from starting if the driver's breath alcohol concentration (BAC) is above a preset limit, typically .02 BAC. The installation of an IID must be carried out by a state-approved certified technician. Idaho law mandates the use of IIDs for certain driving under the influence (DUI) offenders. Specifically, Idaho Code § 18-8002 and § 18-8008 stipulate that IIDs may be required for first-time offenders at the court's discretion and are generally mandated for repeat DUI offenders. The duration for which an IID must be installed can vary, but it often ranges from one to three years, depending on the severity of the offense and the offender's DUI history. The device records data such as engine starts and stops, breath test results, and any attempts at tampering, which is reported to the monitoring company and then to the court. While IIDs are proven to significantly reduce repeat DUI offenses, not all individuals arrested for DUI in Idaho end up with an IID installed, due to various factors including court discretion and individual compliance.