Georgia Ignition Interlock System

Many states including the state of Georgia make it mandatory to have an ignition interlock system installed in the vehicle of a driver with multiple DUI convictions. Georgia in particular has ruled that after a 12-month waiting period, a DUI offender with two convictions within a 5-year period must have the ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle for 6 months. For a DUI offender with 3 convictions within a 5-year period, a person must wait 2 years before they are eligible to apply for a hardship license. After this waiting period, they must have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle for 6 months in order to receive a hardship license.

The ignition interlock system is favored by both the state of Georgia and tax payers as DUI offenders are required to cover the costs associated with the system. A driver can expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have the device installed in their vehicle. Essentially, the person is renting the device, which can cost anywhere from $70 to $100 per month. Maintenance fees must also be covered as needed.

This device is installed in a person’s vehicle and it is designed to prevent a vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol on a person’s breath. In order to start their vehicle, a person must first blow through a tube. The information is then recorded and sent to the manufacturer or supplier and turned over to the court.

To prevent tampering or any sort of trickery, many manufacturers have made it so the device locks and this record is sent to the courts. In addition to blowing through the tube to start your vehicle, many devices require you to breathe into the machine every few minutes or miles. This ensures that you don’t start the vehicle sober, and then decide to start drinking after. If you miss one of the required tests, the device may cause alarms to sound, and your vehicle’s headlights will flash and the horn will honk until you perform the test or turn off the ignition.

If you would like more information on the ignition interlock device, be sure to contact your local DUI defense attorney. In the state of Georgia, please contact The Law Office of Larry Kohn.