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Idaho Ignition Interlock Device Questions

Idaho has two sets of procedures that you must attend to when you have been charged with a DUI—administrative and judicial. Smart Start suggests that you consult with a DUI attorney immediately to make sure you get the best advice for your particular situation as laws are always changing.

Idaho is one of 42 states that has implemented ALR, which means that your license will be confiscated immediately if your BAC is above .08 OR if you refuse a BAC test. At this point, your license will either be suspended or revoked—even though you have not been officially convicted in a criminal trial. In fact, you can be charged with an administrative license suspension even if you are not later charged with a driving under the influence offense. Administrative license suspension is in addition to and separate from the traditional DUI judicial conviction penalties like license suspension, jail time, community service hours, Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installation, and alcohol and drug rehabilitation.

You will be given a seven-day grace period during which you can drive under a temporary driving permit issued by the officer at the scene. During that time, you can request a hearing to challenge your case. This case will be heard by an administrative law judge. If you do not request a hearing, your license will be automatically suspended on the eighth day for three months.  First-time offenders can request a work permit after 30 days. After the suspension period, you will be required to get an Ignition Interlock Device installed on your vehicle.

Remember that this is a separate case from the judicial case, with separate authorities and rulings. This can be a very important influence upon the judicial procedures, but you must act very quickly if you wish to challenge this.

Judicial Procedures
In Idaho, the drunk driving law prohibits a person from driving when they have a BAC of .08% or higher. Courts are required to order the installation and monitoring of an Ignition Interlock Device if your BAC levels are .08% or higher for a second offense.

Once you have scheduled your ignition interlock installation with Smart Start, you will need to bring the following to your ignition interlock installation appointment:

  1. Cash, debit/credit card payment, or money order for installation and first month’s lease
  2. Photo identification

Vehicle registration (or, if you are installing on someone else’s vehicle, a letter of permission from the registered owner stating that you have permission to install an Ignition Interlock Device on the vehicle)

Once you have installed your Ignition Interlock Device with Smart Start, Smart Start will provide you with proof of installation, which you will need to send to your State authority so that you receive credit for your time with your Ignition Interlock Device (IID).

Smart Start’s Ignition Interlock Devices are compliant with all state and federal requirements. In addition, our devices are tested and certified to meet the standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and we’re on the list of approved ignition interlock providers in Idaho.

If you violate during your time with the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in Idaho, you will be required to return to a Smart Start service center location for calibration and service within 120 hours of your violation or service lockout start time.  You will incur an additional charge for this violation, and you may also be subject to a revocation of your driver’s license.

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The state of Idaho requires that you service your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) once every 30 days or 60 days.

The consequences for a DUI in Idaho generally differ as follows:

First offense – Misdemeanor: You will be subject to up to six months in jail, fines and fees up to $1,000, a 90- to 180-day license suspension, alcohol evaluation and treatment. A restricted license with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is possible after 30 days of suspension. An interlock may be required for a time not to exceed the time of probation for the offense. If your BAC is 0.20 or more, you will be subject to ten days to one year in jail, fines up to $2,000, a one-year license suspension, mandatory Ignition Interlock Device installation upon license reinstatement, and alcohol evaluation/treatment.

Second Offense – Misdemeanor (Felony if for BAC 0.20 or more): You will be subject to ten days to one year in jail, fines up to $2,000, a minimum one-year license suspension, and installation of an Ignition Interlock Device for a court-ordered period of time after your one-year suspension. In a case involving a BAC of 0.20 or higher, you will be convicted of a felony, and you will receive enhanced penalties—including 30 days to five years in a state penitentiary, fines up to $5,000, license suspension for one to five years, and an Ignition Interlock Device installation required upon license reinstatement.

Third and Subsequent Offense Misdemeanor (Felony if within five years): You will be subject to 30 days to five years in jail, fines up to $5,000, a one- to five-year license suspension, mandatory installation of an Ignition Interlock Device for one year upon license reinstatement, and alcohol evaluation/treatment.

In order to remove your Ignition Interlock Device at a Smart Start service center in Idaho, you will need to have written permission from either the court where you were convicted, or from a court officer or probation officer.  Your court paperwork will have a date showing by when the Ignition Interlock Device is to be installed and the date your Ignition Interlock Device may be removed.  Without this authorization, your Ignition Interlock Device may not be removed.

If you are required to have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in order to maintain your driving privileges, then you must have an Ignition Interlock Device installed on any vehicle you will be driving—even if you don’t own it.  Without meeting this requirement, you may be arrested and convicted of two separate charges:  1) driving on a suspended licenses, and 2) driving without an Ignition Interlock Device.  In order to install an Ignition Interlock Device on a borrowed vehicle, you will need a letter of permission from the owner granting you the ability to install the IID.

No, the state of Idaho only requires that you have the Ignition Interlock Device installed on the vehicle you will be driving during your license suspension.

Idaho law states that you can service your Ignition Interlock Device at any of Smart Start’s 1,600 service center locations nationwide.

Since violations and their definitions are subject to change without notice, Smart Start recommends you check with your probation officer and/or the Idaho Department of Transportation to learn more.

Smart Start is proud to offer the voluntary installation of an Ignition Interlock Device on your vehicle or a family member’s vehicle.  To schedule a voluntary installation appointment, click the chat window below, fill out our online form, or call 800.831.3299 to speak with one of our customer care advocates.  We’ll help you set up an installation appointment at a day and time that are most convenient for you.

The state of Idaho does not require that your Ignition Interlock Device be equipped with a camera or other peripheral devices unless you are otherwise ordered by your probation officer.  However, Smart Start recommends you have a compatible camera unit, because the camera unit provides positive identification of the user of the Ignition Interlock Device and can protect you against violations not caused by you.

According to the Idaho Department of Transportation, you can install the Ignition Interlock Device at any time. However, your participation in the Ignition Interlock Device program begins on the date shown on your court paperwork.

No.  The camera is only there to take digital stills to accompany each breath test.  There is no live video feed.

In the state of Idaho, the Idaho Department of Transportation and your probation officer are your primary State authorities.  You will need to inform your customer care advocate of your probation officer’s contact information when scheduling your Smart Start Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installation so the reports can be sent to the correct place.

The Idaho Department of Transportation lists specific providers on their website, which can be found under the Office of Highway Safety tab.  This list is also available from the courthouse.  Smart Start remains in compliance with the state of Idaho and was the first ignition interlock manufacturer to meet the new National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) ignition interlock specifications.

All payments for services are due at the service center at the time of service.  Smart Start is one of the only ignition interlock providers to allow a payment using cash, debit card, credit card, or money order.  Unlike some other ignition interlock providers, Smart Start does not require that you provide your credit card information to our corporate office so we can charge it automatically.

Smart Start of Idaho will send a record of your installation, service and removal to the Idaho Department of Transportation and your probation officer automatically at the completion of each service.  This process alleviates you from the undue burden of having to provide this information yourself.

No, Smart Start’s Ignition Interlock Device will not hurt your vehicle.  However, vehicles with an older battery or poorly functioning alternator may experience issues while starting the vehicle or while using the device.

Motorcycle Ignition Interlock installation laws differ by state. Smart Start operates throughout the U.S. as a certified manufacturer and will work harder than other companies to provide you a seamless Interlock program that still follows your case requirements in the state of Idaho. Please call our Customer Care Center at 800-831-3299 if you have any questions.

Yes, Idaho state law requires that the Ignition Interlock Device be connected to your horn.  However, this connection does not harm your vehicle in any way.

If your Smart Start Ignition Interlock Device is not returned for service on or before your current lockout date, a lockout notice will be sent to the Idaho Department of Transportation and your probation officer.  If your device remains in lockout for 45 days or more, your account will automatically be marked inactive, and Smart Start will send removal notification to the Idaho Department of Transportation and your probation officer.  This will result in your driver’s license being suspended and could negatively affect the terms of your probation or parole.

No, the state of Idaho does not require that you install your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in the state of Idaho.