Do you need an Ignition Interlock in West Virginia? The state’s Ignition Interlock law is all-offender, which means whether your DUI is a first or repeated offense, you will most likely need an Ignition Interlock in West Virginia.

Ignition Interlock Requirements in West Virginia Broken Down

BAC = blood alcohol concentration

* The DUI deferral program in West Virginia, or the WV DUI deferral program, is eligible for individuals with a first DUI offense with a BAC less than .15. There are other requirements in the program as well, however, such as not having a prior conviction for DUI anywhere in the U.S. The program allows the individual’s charge to be dismissed in criminal court only and their record of arrest eventually expunged from their criminal record.

** Any person who obtains a driver’s license in the U.S. or operates a motor vehicle has been deemed to have given their implied consent to provide a breath sample on request of law enforcement.

If you have any questions regarding your DUI, eligibility or the West Virginia Test & Lock (Ignition Interlock) Program, call the WV DMV–DUI Interlock Department at 1-800-642-9066 or 304-926-2507.

How Long Will I Need an Ignition Interlock in West Virginia?

First offenses:

BAC less than .15 – At least 125 days
BAC less than .15 – At least 165 days (court deferral only)
Test refusal – at least 1 year
A BAC greater than .15 – at least 270 days
Resulting in the death of another person – at least 2 years
Resulting in serious bodily harm to another person – at least 1 year
A minor in the vehicle- at least ten months

Second and subsequent:
Subsequent admin per se violation or DUI offense, or second or subsequent refusal – At least 2 years
A second offense under 21 – at least 1 year

Smart Start is West Virginia’s # 1 Ignition Interlock Vendor!

An Ignition Interlock may seem like a new and strange process now, but they help people get back on the road safely again and be able to drive to work or school. Smart Start’s Ignition Interlocks are easy to use and discreet with knowledgeable, 24/7/365 customer service at (800) 831-3299. Plus, we provide an affordable program and no hidden fees.

If you have any questions about the Ignition Interlock program in West Virginia, or you’d like to install a device voluntarily, feel free to call our Customer Care Center at (800) 831-3299. Smart Start has been in the Ignition Interlock business for more than 25 years, and we’ve helped more than a million clients drive again with an Ignition Interlock. We know the DUI law, and we can assist you, too.

Do You Need an Ignition Interlock in West Virginia?

Smart Start West Virginia has the most locations out of any other Ignition Interlock provider, with a reliable device and friendly customer service. Call today to schedule your installation appointment at (800) 831-3299 or fill out our online form.

Each feature of the Ignition Interlock has a significant meaning.

These features, such as beeping to signal a test, are all created to provide an easy experience for you. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists all the different features in their federal Ignition Interlock model specifications for specific reasons.

So, what are some of the features of the Ignition Interlock and each of their meanings? And what’s that mean for you, the user?

• Keep in mind that not all features listed are available to clients per Ignition Interlock state laws and regulations. For example, not every state requires cameras with an Ignition Interlock.

Different Features of the Ignition Interlock Keypad

Your Next Service Appointment

You can check your next service appointment by pressing the pound or # sign, then press 1.

Change Your Language Settings

Need to change languages on your Ignition Interlock? You can easily change between English and Spanish right on the keypad. If you need to change to Spanish, type in 772*. If you need to switch back to English, press 364*.

Violation Points

You can check how many violation points you have remaining on your Ignition Interlock as well. Just press the pound, or #, key, and then press 3 on your keypad.

Your Car’s Battery

Check your car battery’s current voltage right on your Ignition Interlock’s screen! Just press the pound or # sign, then press 2.  

Signals for Ignition Interlock Tests

Flashing Lights

One feature on the Ignition Interlock is an option for clients and is an add-on accessory. Many vendors, including Smart Start, can provide an external LED light that attaches to a vehicle’s dashboard.

But why would a light be needed?

The light can signal when your Ignition Interlock is ready for a test rather than emitting sounds like beeping. This feature is especially helpful for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Beeping or Clicking Sounds

Let’s go back to the sounds in Ignition Interlocks.

You may hear beeping from your device, which means it’s time to take a test. While you’re taking your test, you’ll hear a click sound from your device that signals the end of your test. The sounds that come from your device are a non-distracting way to let you know when you need to take your tests, or the end of a successful test, without having to look down at your device.

You can read more about Smart Start’s different test patterns per state regulations, and how to take them, on our blog. 

Cameras

Cameras provide more proof it was you the client who took the test, and not someone else. Smart Start’s cameras are small, cube-shaped and can be affixed easily on your vehicle’s windshield without being in the way while you drive. Cameras will never record you! They will only take a snapshot of you as you perform each breath test on your device.

Removable Head Unit in Cold Weather

In most states, you can also disconnect your head unit from your curly cord and take the unit inside with you in extremely cold weather. Do not disconnect your head unit while you are driving! New York and Wisconsin do not allow clients to disconnect their head units as of February 2018!

There’s a reason for every feature that’s related to your Ignition Interlock. Without them, your program would not be as seamless and easy as it is now. For any questions on Smart Start’s Ignition Interlock program, call our Customer Care Center at (800) 831-3299.

Need to Install an Ignition Interlock?

Get back on the road with Smart Start, the most reliable Ignition Interlock provider. With an affordable program, 24/7/365 customer service and easy breath tests, you’re in good hands during your Ignition Interlock requirement period, or if you want to install our device as an option. Make sure to ask for any current specials or discounts in your state! Call our Customer Care Center today at (800) 831-3299 or fill out our short online form.

Ignition Interlocks haven’t always been the reliable technology it is today. Like a lot of revolutionary products, it took some trial and error to come to the current Ignition Interlock Device.

So, how did it all start? What happened to make Ignition Interlocks what they are today?

The Taguchi Gas Sensor

Older Ignition Interlocks had a different sensor in them versus the one used now.

The Taguchi gas sensor or T-cell, named after Naoyoshi Taguchi, could detect natural gas, which means it could tell when gas was present even if it was odorless. These sensors also detected alcohol.

Ignition Interlocks with T-cell sensors were solid and jump-started the industry, but there were still some hiccups in the device’s design where users could circumvent or bypass their breath tests. In addition, the test patterns were blow-only and had no anti-circumvention features. This also allowed “curb side service”, a term that refers to an intoxicated driver finding a sober person to blow into the device for them.

Smart Start’s founders recognized this, and in 1992, Smart Start was created to provide more reliable Ignition Interlocks.

Now, the Ignition Interlock industry uses alcohol-specific fuel cell technology to maintain utmost accuracy with breath tests. Rolling retests were also incorporated under federal Ignition Interlock standards in 1992 to combat bypassing attempts like “curb side service.”

Breath Test Patterns in Ignition Interlocks

In the late 80s and early 90s, various breath patterns were introduced for Ignition Interlocks.

The breath test patterns were learned. The patterns required the user to blow, then pause, and then repeat this process a couple times. This pattern’s goal was to deter someone other than the intended user to use the device and test it.

A couple other advancements happened during this time. Temperature and pressure sensors were developed and used to determine a human versus a non-human providing a sample into the device.

Advanced anti-circumvention features today include humidity sensors and the requirement to “hum” while blowing. This technology is designed to ensure a human is delivering the breath sample.

Other Features to Ignition Interlock Technology

Advanced anti-circumvention features today include other breath test patterns such as blow-hum or straight hum. Cameras have become standard equipment on Ignition Interlocks, and identify the person delivering the breath sample.

Ignition Interlocks are an effective tool against drunk driving. In multiple studies, it’s been proven that all-offender Ignition Interlock laws reduce recidivism in offenders and reduce drunk driving fatalities. With strong state Ignition Interlock laws and technology, we can only see a safer future on our roadways.

Need an Ignition Interlock?

Call our Customer Care Center today at (800) 831-3299 or fill out our short online form.