How Long After Drinking Can I Pass an Interlock Test?

First-time users of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) sometimes wonder about a couple of questions early in their program. How long does it take after drinking to pass an Ignition Interlock test? Can I pass an Ignition Interlock test in the morning after drinking during the evening?

Those questions aren’t unusual. However, the answers aren’t simple, because they depend on a number of factors. Passing an Ignition Interlock breath test after drinking isn’t a just a matter of time or quantity. There are a number of factors that affect your Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), which is what an IID measures. Together, they all play a part in the length of time it takes your BrAC to dwindle down to nothing.

How Does An Ignition Interlock Device Work?

Passing Your Ignition Interlock Test After Drinking

There’s no certain way to determine how long it takes to pass an Interlock test after you’ve been drinking. How much and how long ago both definitely matter. However, according to alcohol research at Stanford University, factors also include:

• Gender, since men tend to metabolize alcohol more efficiently than women.
• Size, since a larger person can diffuse alcohol across a larger amount of body mass.
• Whether you have eaten, since drinking on an empty stomach results in more rapid absorption of alcohol.

The longer it takes to metabolize the alcohol, the longer it stays in your system. And the longer it stays in your system, the longer it takes to be able to pass an Interlock test after drinking. But there’s no sure-fire length of time when it will be OK to blow into your Ignition Interlock.

How Long Do I Need An Ignition Interlock Device?

If I Drink at Night, Can I Pass My Ignition Interlock Test in the Morning?

Plenty of sleep is definitely helpful. It allows a longer period of time to go by before you have to pass your Interlock test the morning after drinking. That gives any alcohol in your system more time to dissipate.

However, sleep doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be able to pass an Ignition Interlock test. And there are no other shortcuts – coffee, water, energy drinks, or any solutions on the Internet – that will ensure a successful breath test.

The Biggest Ignition Interlock Myths

Your Success is Important To Us

These questions are natural, but remember to keep things simple. It’s important to give top priority to your IID program, successfully blowing into your Ignition Interlock every time. If you do that, you’ll successfully complete your Ignition Interlock requirement before you know it.

If you need an Ignition Interlock, we’ll welcome the chance to be your provider. Call (800) 831-3299 for more information, or schedule an appointment online.