LifeSafer Ignition Interlock

In most states yes, however anyone driving the vehicle will need to use the interlock and you may be responsible for any violations.

Yes, to reduce wait times, we require appointments before installation. LifeSafer does offer same-day appointments where allowed.

To make your installation as quick as possible please bring - All of your ignition interlock paperwork (including court documents or forms from your state licensing agency), Photo Driver’s License, and Vehicle Registration Card

If you do not allow sufficient time for the alcohol to dissipate from your mouth, FAIL will be registered in the memory. You will have the opportunity to re-test, and rinsing your mouth with water can help. It can be hard to change routines to accommodate an interlock, but it will get easier over time. Other common products that contain alcohol include hand sanitizer, air freshener, windshield wiper fluid, cleaning products, and wipes. Many foods contain trace amounts of alcohol as well — vanilla extract is an example you may not have considered. It’s also a good idea to avoid tobacco, coffee and vaping when you use an interlock.

It is VERY important that you call us before any work is completed on your vehicle. States require detailed information about the shop doing the work. This documentation assures the unit will not record a tampering event if the power to the vehicle is interrupted as the unit will record the power disconnect and the reconnect. We can also provide your service provider with an override code so that they can test drive the car and turn it on and off during the repair process without having to use the interlock.

No, the interlock will never turn off a running vehicle. If a retest is missed or failed the horn will sound, a violation will be recorded and the device will require early service.

Our devices are equipped with stall protection. The interlock will allow a restart without a test for two minutes. NOTE: If you have a vehicle that includes an economy feature that shuts off the engine while you are at a red light, in traffic, etc it will need to be disabled so that you do not have to constantly re-test.

Individuals should take any and all precautions as recommended by the CDC and WHO regarding hand hygiene and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If alcohol-based hand sanitizer is used, you should take the following steps when taking an interlock test to help avoid registering an alcohol reading. Apply the sanitizer outside of the car. Allow the sanitizer to air dry completely before you enter the car to take a test. As an added precaution, you should roll down a window to encourage outside air circulation. As always, we recommend that prior to taking a test, you rinse your mouth with water to remove contaminants.

No. Having anyone else take the test and then have you start driving is considered circumventing the device. Most states have laws that include fines and jail for individuals assisting in the circumvention of an interlock. Additionally, interlocks randomly ask for additional tests while the engine is running. If the retest is not taken or failed, the unit will log a Retest Violation and the alarm horn will honk until the vehicle is turned off. Many states use camera interlocks that take a picture during each test as a measure against this type of circumvention.

In most states, yes. LifeSafer service providers will train other users of the vehicle at no additional charge. However, please note that anyone driving the vehicle will need to use the interlock and you will be responsible for any violations. Check with us to see if other drivers are allowed to use the interlock.

Several days prior to a service appointment, the service light on the unit starts flashing as a reminder of an upcoming appointment. Also, for several days following the scheduled date, the service light will remain steady and a tone will sound as an overdue indication. If you fail to return to the service center within this time frame the interlock device will enter a permanent lockout condition to prevent further operation of the vehicle. Then, the vehicle would have to be towed to the service center. Avoid this expense by making sure you schedule your next monitoring appointment while you are at the current one.

Depending on state requirements, the interlock is usually serviced every 60 or 90 days, more frequently if there are any violations. If the device is not serviced as scheduled it will go into lockout and the vehicle will not start. During service appointments, your LifeSafer service provider downloads recorded information from the device and our reporting team reviews and transmits it to your jurisdiction's monitoring authority. The technician will also calibrate and inspect the unit to make sure it's working properly.

Our devices can accommodate customers with hearing impairment by installing a warning light to alert customers when the device is prompting for a test.