When Do You Have to Install an Ignition Interlock Device After a DUI in Idaho—and How Much Will It Cost?

Idaho's DUI statutes pack a one-two punch: criminal penalties and a mandatory ignition interlock device (IID) for many offenders. Below is a clear, no-nonsense guide to who must install an IID, how long it must stay on the vehicle, and what it really costs—so you can budget both your money and your time.

1. Why Idaho Uses Ignition Interlock Devices

An IID is a breath-test starter lock. You blow into the handset; if the device detects alcohol above a preset threshold ( .025 BAC in Idaho), your engine won't start. State lawmakers see IIDs as a middle ground—keeping convicted drivers working and supporting families while sharply reducing repeat drunk-driving crashes. Idaho Code § 18-8008 orders courts to add an IID “in addition to any other penalty” for certain DUI outcomes.

2. Offenses That Automatically Trigger IID Installation

3. How Long Will You Need the IID?

• One-year standard: Most first, excessive-BAC, and repeat-offense cases require 12 consecutive months with no violations.

• Two to five years: Felony and aggravated DUIs let the judge stretch IID monitoring well past the one-year minimum under Idaho Code 18-8008A.

• Probation-linked: If you are sentenced to supervised probation, and probation runs 18 months to two years, courts can match IID duration to that supervision window.

Tolling rules: Time counts as soon as your driving suspension ends. This means that the interlock requirement starts whether you are driving or not. If you decide to wait a few months before getting a license, the interlock requirement is not tolled and will run to the same date whether you are driving or not.

4. The Real-World Cost of an Ignition Interlock in Idaho

These figures come from Idaho-approved vendors surveyed in early 2025 and match state-average ranges published by industry sources.

Annual ballpark: A one-year IID stint typically lands around $ 1,000–$ 1,400 all-in.

5. Financial-Hardship Help Exists

Idaho lets courts tap the Interlock & Electronic Monitoring Device Fund for drivers who prove they can't shoulder IID costs. Judges weigh income, dependents, and necessary expenses when deciding whether to subsidize installation and monitoring.

6. Compliance Rules You Can't Ignore

1. Drive only interlock-equipped vehicles. Courts routinely add a license notation; police see it on every stop.

2. Service on schedule (30- or 60-day cycles). Skipped calibrations trigger immediate lockouts and violation reports.

3. Rolling retests matter. Pull over safely when the handset beeps; missed or failed retests reset the car's ignition timer and may extend your IID term.

4. No “blow buddies.” Tampering or having someone else provide a breath sample is a illegal and can add additional charges and extend your IID time.

7. Practical Tips Before You Install

• Shop multiple vendors. Prices vary—and so do service-center locations and hours.

• Bundle errands. Plan monthly service around work or treatment schedules to avoid extra mileage.

• Use a breath-freshener? Skip it. Alcohol-based mouthwash triggers false positives; use alcohol-free brands.

• Keep a log. Note every clean test; if data uploads glitch, your personal log can resolve compliance disputes.

8. Summing It Up

• Charged with a DUI? You're almost certainly getting an ignition interlock.

• Expect at least one year of device time and about a grand out of pocket.

• File for hardship assistance if money's tight—don't just ignore the court order.

• Stay on schedule with service and rolling tests; violations will cost you cash and calendar days.

Ignition interlock devices may feel intrusive, but in Idaho they often make the difference between some driving freedom and no license at all. Understand the rules, budget the costs, and treat the IID period as your shortest route back to full driving privileges—and to putting the DUI chapter firmly in your rear-view mirror. If you have additional questions or need some guidance, feel free to book a free consultation with one of our DUI Attorneys.