Ignition Interlock Devices: When Are They Required?

Michigan requires a breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID) in three main situations: a high blood alcohol content conviction, a restricted license granted to a repeat offender through a sobriety court, and a license restored after revocation. A judge can also order one as a condition of probation in cases that fall outside those categories.

When Does a High Blood Alcohol Content Conviction Require an Interlock?

Michigan treats a blood alcohol content of 0.17 percent or above as a separate first-offense charge with heavier consequences than a standard case. A conviction brings a full year of license sanctions rather than the shorter period attached to a reading under that threshold.

The year splits into two parts. The first 45 days allow no driving whatsoever, and the remaining 320 days permit restricted driving only after a device is installed and verified.

Repeat Offenses, License Appeals, And Court Discretion

Drivers with multiple convictions may face license revocation rather than a temporary suspension. Restoring driving privileges requires a separate administrative process, with ignition interlock device (IID) requirements often playing a key role. These devices commonly arise through:

• Admission into a Michigan DWI or sobriety court program, which opens restricted driving to repeat offenders.
• A license appeal before the Secretary of State after the mandatory revocation period ends.
• Reinstatement granted on a restricted basis, with the device required before any driving resumes.
• A judge ordering installation as a probation condition even where the statute does not compel it.
• Court-ordered monitoring in cases involving controlled substances rather than alcohol alone.

Approval rests with the Secretary of State rather than the sentencing judge in restoration cases. Preparation for that hearing matters as much as anything that happened in the courtroom.

What Rules Govern the Device Once It Is Installed?

Daily operation is stricter than most people picture, and Michigan’s ignition interlock statute at MCL 257.625k sets the standards every certified device must meet.

Rules that trip people up include:

• Rolling retests demanded at random intervals while you are already driving
• Installation on every vehicle you own or intend to operate, not just the one involved in the case
• All costs falling on the driver, including installation, monthly calibration, and removal
• Reinstallation required within seven days if a device is removed for any approved reason
• Every reading and event logged and reported to the state

An IID can trigger a lockout at a breath alcohol concentration of 0.025. That means that even small amounts of alcohol may prevent the vehicle from starting. Michigan also prohibits blowing into another person’s interlock device. Violations expose both the restricted driver and the person assisting them to criminal penalties.

Get The Interlock Question Answered Before You Sign Anything

Device requirements outlast the court case by months or years, and the terms attached to a plea or a restoration order determine how long you live with one. Spickard Law handles operating while intoxicated matters across Michigan. Call (517) 908-0818, or contact us online, to schedule a consultation with our DUI/OWI defense attorney, who can determine which requirements apply to your situation.