Georgia Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Requirements

The authority to mandate Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installation in Georgia is derived primarily from Title 40 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic) and Title 42 (Penal Institutions) of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.). These statutes function together to create a comprehensive compliance system.

When is an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Required in Georgia?

The requirement to install an IID in Georgia depends on the number of offenses within a five-year lookback period, the driver’s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at the time of arrest, and specific aggravating circumstances. Georgia law measures the five-year window from the "dates of previous arrests for which convictions were obtained" to the date of the current arrest.

Mandatory IID installation is triggered in the following scenarios:

• Second DUI within Five Years: Mandatory IID and a 12-month hard suspension are required.
• Refusal of Chemical Test: If a driver refuses a breath/blood test, a 12-month IID requirement is triggered, regardless of the outcome of the underlying DUI charge.
• Child Endangerment: Driving under the influence with a child under 14 results in two distinct convictions (DUI and endangering a child). This immediately categorizes the driver as a "second offender" within five years, triggering a mandatory 12-month interlock requirement.
• High BAC (≥ 0.15): For first-time offenders with a BAC of 0.15 or higher, courts frequently mandate an IID as a condition of probation.

Duration of IID Requirement in Georgia

The length of time you're required to use an IID varies:

• First DUI (ALS Waiver, Consented to Testing): 4 months.
• First DUI (ALS Waiver, Refused Testing): 12 months.
• Second DUI within Five Years: Typically 12 months after a 120-day hard suspension.

How the Georgia IID Works

Modern IIDs approved in Georgia utilize electrochemical fuel cell sensors. These are highly specific to ethanol and less likely to generate false positives. Most approved devices in Georgia also include a camera module to verify the identity of the person providing the breath sample.

• Before Starting: The device requires a breath sample before the vehicle can be started. A Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.02 grams or greater prevents the vehicle from starting.
• Rolling Retests: The device requires "rolling retests" at random intervals while the vehicle is in motion. The driver has a few minutes to provide a sample. Failure to provide a sample, or providing a positive sample during a rolling retest, triggers an alarm (horn honking, lights flashing) until the vehicle is turned off.

Costs Associated with IID in Georgia

The costs associated with the permit itself are paid directly to the DDS and are separate from the device costs.

Violations and Consequences

Providers are legally required to report specific major violations directly to the DDS. These include tampering, circumvention, and failure to report for monitoring. The device must be calibrated, and the data log downloaded, every 30 days. If the driver fails to report by the end of the grace period (typically a few days after the 30-day mark), the device enters a Permanent Lockout. In this state, the vehicle will not start and must be towed to the service center at the driver's expense for a physical reset.

The DDS Customer Service Center is located at 2206 East View Parkway, Conyers, GA 30013.