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Ignition Interlock

The Washington State Patrol is the regulatory authority of ignition interlock devices, interlock service technicians and interlock service centers throughout Washington State. The ignition interlock program of the Washington State Patrol is operated out of the Forensic Laboratory Service Bureau’s Impaired Driving Section and consists of law enforcement officers and support staff dedicated to interlock compliance and public safety.

A breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID or simply IID) is attached to the ignition of a motor vehicle and is designed to prevent a motor vehicle from being operated by a person who has consumed an alcoholic beverage. When properly installed and calibrated, the IID will prevent a driver from starting a motor vehicle if the device detects a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) above the prescribed setpoint.

Ignition Interlock Clients

  • Forms & Training Videos

    Anytime a vehicle equipped with a certified ignition interlock device is serviced at a state-licensed automotive repair or service facility, a Vehicle Service Affidavit must be fully completed and turned in to the interlock device’s manufacturer, following the completion of service.

    This form will be accepted by all certified ignition interlock service centers in Washington State as a letter authorizing the installation of an ignition interlock device into a vehicle not owned or registered to the interlock restricted driver.

    At the time of original installation, ignition interlock restricted drivers are required to view this training video provided by the Washington State Patrol and a video provided by the ignition interlock device manufacturer specific to their device. The links below provide the Washington State Patrol version of the video in English and Spanish.

    Ignition Interlock Training (English)
    Ignition Interlock Training (Spanish)

  • Complaints

    • The Ignition Interlock Program of the Washington State Patrol investigates complaints, improper conduct, regulatory violations, or criminal law violations regarding Interlock Service Technicians, Interlock Service Centers, Interlock Manufacturers, Interlock Devices, and Interlock Restricted Drivers occurring within the jurisdiction of Washington State. Please note: the Washington State Patrol does not have authority to review complaints regarding 4mo/180day compliance period or other related driver license issues.  Contact the Washington State Department of Licensing at (360) 902-3900 or Washington State Department of Licensing.

    Complaint Form

    • Your Information

    Ignition Interlock Manufacturers 

    FAQs

    • Will the ignition interlock device shut off my vehicle's engine or stop my vehicle at any time?

      No. WAC 204-50-110 – Ignition interlock devices are designed to prevent the vehicle from being started. Once a vehicle is started any failed random retest or missed random retest will be reported as a violation and the vehicle’s horn will activate continuously but it will not shut off the vehicle.

    • I have an ignition interlock device requirement but my interlock equipped vehicle is temporarily disabled. May I drive a friend's vehicle or drive a rental/loaner car without an interlock until my vehicle is fixed?

      No. RCW 46.20.740 (2) – It is a criminal offense for a person with an ignition interlock restriction to operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock. Additionally, be sure to have the automotive repair or service facility complete a Washington State Patrol Vehicle Service Affidavit after the repairs are complete so that any incidents recorded on your device during this period are accounted for.

    • What happens if my ignition interlock equipped vehicle stalls while I am on the freeway temporarily parked on railroad tracks or in some other dangerous area?

      WAC 204-50-110 – Ignition interlock devices in Washington State are required to have a two minute “stall protection” safety window that allows for the vehicle to be turned back on without providing a breath sample within that time frame.

    • In extreme weather can I start my vehicle and let it run unattended until it warms up or cools down?

      No. WAC 204-50-110 – After the initial breath test is requested to start the vehicle, random retests are requested at various times while the vehicle is running. If you leave a vehicle unattended while running you may miss one of these random retests which will be counted as a violation and likely activate your vehicle’s horn.

    • Someone I know is driving a vehicle without an interlock or having their friend/child/spouse blow into the interlock device while they drive. Who do I contact about this?

      RCW 46.20.750 – If you have information that a person required to have an ignition interlock device is driving a vehicle without one or circumventing the interlock by having someone else provide a breath sample, we would like to investigate that. Please contact our office at (206) 720-3018 or complete the complaint form above and we will notify the trooper responsible for that region. Providing as much information as possible, such as the driver’s name, date of birth, address, vehicle license number, etc. will be very helpful to our investigators.

    • What government mandated fees are included in my ignition interlock lease and what do they pay for?

      RCW 46.20.745 – The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) charges a $21 fee per device which is deposited in the ignition interlock device revolving account. This fee offsets DOL’s expenses for tracking installed interlocks and is used to supplement the costs associated with the indigent account for those who have been approved based on financial limitations. For those approved under the indigent program this fee is waived. The Washington State Patrol charges a $10 fee per device at the time of installation and a $5 monthly fee which is appropriated to perform interlock certifications, monitoring, circumvention/tampering investigations, and interlock industry regulatory services. All other fees associated with the lease of an interlock device are at the discretion of the interlock manufacturer.

    • What does it mean that my interlock restriction is tolled day-for-day?

      RCW 46.20.720 (5) – Interlock restriction periods are calculated on a day-for-day basis. This means that when a driver has an interlock restriction for one year they must have an interlock installed for at least 365 days. Any removal of a interlock device during the period of restriction will extend the restriction for each day without an interlock.

    • What are the final requirements I must meet to have my interlock device removed (commonly known as Compliance Based Review) and what types of incidents/violations will extend my interlock restriction period?

      RCW 46.20.720 – Compliance Based Review (or CBR for short) refers to the final period of your interlock restriction. Prior to having your interlock restriction lifted your interlock manufacturer will review your interlock device history for any qualifying violations which may extend your restriction period. Your interlock manufacturer must certify to the satisfaction of DOL that none of the following incidents occurred prior to your scheduled restriction end date:

      1. Any attempt to start the vehicle with a breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more unless a subsequent test performed within ten minutes registers a breath alcohol concentration lower than 0.04 and the digital image confirms the same person provided both samples;
      2. Failure to take any random test unless a review of the digital image confirms that the vehicle was not occupied by the driver at the time of the missed test;
      3. Failure to pass any random retest with a breath alcohol concentration of lower than 0.02 or lower unless a subsequent test performed within ten minutes registers a breath alcohol concentration lower than 0.02, and the digital image confirms the same person provided both samples;
      4. Failure of the person to appear at the ignition interlock device vendor when required for maintenance, repair, calibration, monitoring, inspection, or replacement of the device,
      5. Removal of the interlock device by a person other than an interlock technician certified by the Washington State Patrol in the official performance of their duties; or
      6. The device was tampered with in the manner described in RCW 46.20.750.

      If any of these incidents appear in your device history or are reported by your interlock manufacturer during or after your CBR period, your interlock restriction will be extended. This may continue indefinitely until you have completed your CBR period without any violations.

      • For those who were arrested prior to July 23, 2017 your CBR period is four months.
      • For those who were arrested on or after July 23, 2018 your CBR period is 180 days.

    • What happens if I live (or move) out of Washington State but the Washington State Department of Licensing requires me to have an ignition interlock device?

      RCW 46.20.720 (8) – State licensing and law enforcement agencies have reciprocity agreements that allow for restrictions in one state to be enforced in others. This also applies to ignition interlocks. If you are required to have an ignition interlock device installed by a Washington State government entity, all other states will also require an interlock. Also, if you have an active interlock restriction in another state you will be required to have an interlock in Washington.

    • I have a medical problem that prevents me from providing a sample into an interlock. Can I have the breath threshold requirement reduced?

      No. WAC 204-50-110 (1) (c) – Washington State requires an interlock device to have a minimum threshold of 1500 ml (or 1.5 L) of breath for an acceptable breath sample. Clients who are experiencing difficulty meeting this minimum standard should contact their vendor for tips on providing a breath sample. Alternatively, clients may also contact the jurisdiction requiring the interlock device or the Department of Licensing to determine if they qualify for any authorized alternatives to an interlock.