Is a Car Breathalyzer the Same as Ignition Interlock?

You’re probably familiar with the term “breathalyzer,” especially if you encountered one used by the police during a drunk-driving stop. But that may be just the beginning of your relationship with a breathalyzer. As a result of your DUI, you may be required to use a car breathalyzer for your vehicle. Smart Start is the leader in Ignition Interlock Devices (IID), but is that the same as a car breathalyzer?

Yes. Car breathalyzers and Ignition Interlocks are just different names for exactly the same thing.

Choose Smart Start for Ignition Interlock

Car Breathalyzer or Ignition Interlock: What’s the Difference?

Ignition Interlock Device is the official name for a car breathalyzer. Some states, such as Illinois and Michigan, will also call it a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID). But whether you call it a car breathalyzer, Ignition Interlock or BAIID, you’ll still be able to fulfill your DUI requirement.

Ignition Interlocks are effective tools that determine someone’s breath alcohol content. If the person fails their Interlock test, the vehicle won’t start since the user is too impaired to drive.

How does an Ignition Interlock Work?

Choose a Certified Ignition Interlock Device Vendor

The name of the device may not matter, but the vendor you choose it from does. For example, you’ll want to make sure a certified vendor is going to install your Ignition Interlock into your vehicle. If a car breathalyzer/Ignition Interlock also has fuel-cell technology, this means utmost reliability and fast testing during your program. To date, fuel-cell technology will provide the most accurate breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) results worldwide.

Smart Start offers this and more as the leader in Ignition Interlock and portable home breathalyzers, not just in the U.S., but worldwide.

Our 24/7/365 Customer Care Center also puts us above the rest. Whether it’s at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., our team is always standing by to assist you during your Ignition Interlock program.

Do you need to use an Ignition Interlock because of a court or state DUI requirement? We can provide you a quote, and set up an installation appointment at your nearest Smart Start service center. Call our Customer Care Center at (800) 831-3299 or fill out our quick and easy form online.