Ignition interlock devices can help cut down on drunk driving. These devices require you to take a test to prove you do not have alcohol in your system before you start your vehicle. If you do not pass the test, your vehicle will not start.
Courts across the country use ignition interlocks as part of the system of punishment for people convicted of drunk driving offenses. By using them, it allows a person to still have access to their vehicle and be able to drive while providing a safeguard against them driving drunk again.
According to the New York State Unified Court System, IIDs are a requirement after a conviction for driving while intoxicated.
Requirements
The judge will issue the mandatory ruling to install an ignition interlock into every vehicle you own or use regularly when sentencing you after a guilty plea or verdict. The typical timeline for keeping the devices in place is 12 months.
Use
You will need to use the IID every time you wish to start your vehicle. Also, as you drive, you will periodically have to retake the test. The device records every interaction, including if you skip a test while driving. Your device may sound an alarm if you miss taking a test.
You should note that trying to cheat the system is a criminal act. Anyone trying to help you drive by bypassing the system faces a misdemeanor charge that carries up to one year in jail. Your driver’s license will have a designation on it that tells officers you must have an IID. If an officer pulls you over driving a vehicle without one, you will likely face additional charges.