Ohio DUI Penalties: Ignition Interlock Devices

Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are becoming a common part of DUI penalties in Ohio. These devices are essentially breathalyzers that prevent your car from starting if alcohol is detected on your breath.

The laws surrounding ignition interlock devices in Ohio are designed to prevent repeat offenses by discouraging impaired driving. For first-time offenders, the installation of an IID is often optional, but it comes with certain advantages, such as greater driving privileges. For repeat offenders, however, the device becomes mandatory and represents a stricter legal stance on DUIs.

At The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A., we understand how difficult this experience can be. Whether this is your first offense or you’ve been through the system before, navigating the legal consequences of a DUI is tough. We will walk you through every step, help you understand your rights and options, and fight for a resolution that minimizes the disruption to your life.

Contact our DUI lawyers at 513-549-0611 to request a consultation.

What Are Ignition Interlock Devices?

An ignition interlock device, otherwise known as an interlock system, is a breathalyzer that’s wired into your car’s ignition system. Before you can start your vehicle, you have to blow into the device. If it detects alcohol on your breath—typically anything over a very low limit like 0.025% BAC—the car won’t start.

Ohio Revised Code section 4501-45 defines an ignition interlock device as a device approved by the director of public safety. It connects a breath analyzer to a vehicle’s ignition system, monitors the alcohol concentration in the breath of anyone trying to start the vehicle, and prevents the vehicle from starting if the alcohol level is above a preset limit.

When Are Ignition Interlock Devices Required in Ohio?

Whether or not you’ll be required to install an ignition interlock device depends on the details of your case—especially whether it’s your first offense or you’ve had prior DUIs.

Here’s how it usually breaks down:

First Offense

If this is your first OVI, the judge can order you to install an ignition interlock device—but it’s not automatic. In fact, in some cases, having one installed can help you. Ohio law allows for unlimited driving privileges during your license suspension if you voluntarily agree to use an interlock device.

Second Offense (Within 10 Years)

If this is your second OVI, the ignition interlock device is much more likely to be required, especially if your blood alcohol content was high or there were aggravating circumstances.

Third Offense (Or More)

At this point, the interlock device isn’t optional. It’s almost always required, and the penalties across the board are much more severe—including longer license suspensions, more expensive fines, and potential jail time.

How Does it Affect You?

Installing an ignition interlock device impacts your life in several ways, but it’s not all negative. Here’s how it impacts you.

• A Second Chance at Safe Driving: While it might feel a bit intrusive, the ignition interlock device is essentially your co-pilot, ensuring you stay sober behind the wheel. It’s there to help keep the roads safe for everyone, including yourself.
• Keeping Your Job: If your job requires driving, an ignition interlock device might be good news. It allows you to keep working and fulfilling your professional duties without interruption, even with a DUI on your record.
• The Cost Factor: Installing and maintaining an ignition interlock device isn’t free. You’re usually responsible for the installation fee, monthly calibration fees, and removal fee at the end of the requirement. It can add up quickly, especially if you’re already dealing with court fines, higher insurance rates, and time off work for court dates.

Ignition Interlock Use and Violations

If a judge requires you to use an ignition interlock device, it must be installed by a provider certified in Ohio. You will need to pay for the installation and a monthly rental fee.

Ignition interlock devices will typically cost between $60 and $90 per month. You must also provide proof to the court that you have installed an interlock device in your vehicle before they will grant you driving privileges.

Violating ignition interlock orders can include driving a vehicle without the device, tampering with it, or registering a prohibited alcohol level on the device. If a judge finds you in violation of these orders, your driving privileges could be revoked or you might be required to use a Secure Remote Alcohol Monitoring device (S.C.R.A.M.). Additionally, violations related to unlimited driving privileges could result in a jail sentence.

How Does an Ignition Interlock Device Work?

If the device has been installed in your vehicle, it will have a mouthpiece like a straw, and you will have to blow into this mouthpiece any time that you attempt to start your vehicle.

The breath sample is analyzed on the spot, and if your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above a preset limit—typically 0.025%—the car simply won’t start. If you pass, you can turn the key and get on your way.

Once you’re driving, the device may require what’s called a “rolling retest.” That means, at random intervals during your trip, it will prompt you to blow into the device again—just to make sure you haven’t started drinking after you got the car running.

You’ll usually get a short window of time to safely pull over and provide the sample. If you fail the rolling retest, the device doesn’t shut your car off mid-drive, for safety reasons, but it will log the event and may trigger the horn to honk or lights to flash until the vehicle is turned off.

Everything is recorded—each test, every failed attempt, and any tampering or missed retests. That information gets sent to the monitoring agency, and the court or probation officer may review it. If violations pile up, you could face extended suspension periods, fines, or even jail time.

What if Someone Else Drives My Car?

You may not be the only person who uses your car, so how will an IID installation work? As part of a DUI penalty in Ohio, anyone driving the vehicle must also use an IID. They may be required to complete a breath analysis to start the ignition and on occasions while driving.

However, it’s important to consider who is allowed to drive your car. If a person driving your car violates the IID requirements, it could count against you. In these instances, you may face:

• Longer IID requirements, meaning the IID would need to be installed for a longer period
• Loss of driving privileges
• Criminal offenses, including potential fines or jail time.

How Can a DUI Lawyer Help?

If you’re facing a DUI charge, you’re probably feeling stressed, maybe even a little lost. This is a serious situation, and the legal system can be complex, especially if it’s your first time dealing with something like this. This is why you need an experienced DUI lawyer. Here is how a DUI lawyer can help.

Experience

A DUI lawyer brings a wealth of knowledge to your case, not only about the law itself but the local court system. They know the ins and outs, the people who call the shots, and the most effective ways to approach them.

Negotiating Plea Deals

Many DUI cases don’t go to trial. Instead, they end with a plea deal. These deals require negotiation skills, as they often involve reducing charges or penalties. A DUI attorney knows how to negotiate these deals, often reducing the severity of the consequences significantly.

Challenging Evidence

Sometimes, the evidence against you in a DUI case can be flawed. This could be anything from the way blood alcohol content was measured to the circumstances of a traffic stop. A DUI attorney will scrutinize every piece of evidence, looking for inaccuracies or procedural errors that could work in your favor.

Avoiding Long-Term Consequences

The penalties can go from hefty fines to a permanent mark on your criminal record. An attorney can help minimize these penalties—or sometimes even get charges dismissed—thus saving you from long-term difficulties like increased insurance rates and job complications.

Contact our DUI Attorneys in Ohio Today

If you’ve been charged with a DUI, you probably have a million questions and not a lot of clear answers. At The Farrish Law Firm, L.P.A., we understand just how overwhelming this situation can feel. Your license, your job, and your reputation might all be on the line.

Our team has decades of experience defending people just like you. We know the laws, we know the courts, and we know how to build a strong defense that fits your unique situation.

Whether it’s your first offense or you’re facing more serious charges, we’ll walk you through your options, explain the legal process in plain language, and fight to protect your future every step of the way.

Call us today at 513-549-0611 for a consultation. Let’s talk about your case, your concerns, and how we can help you get through this.

ATTORNEY KELLY FARRISH

Kelly Farrish always knew he wanted to be an attorney, but he the path he took to get there isn’t like most. He served five years in the United States Air Force and did two voluntary years in South Vietnam. When he returned to Cincinnati, he worked the midnight shift as a technician at Cincinnati Bell, all the while attending college full time year round for three years. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]