In the State of North Carolina, a conviction of driving while impaired (DWI) could result in a court order to install an IID in all vehicles owned by the offender. An order for the use of an IID is dependent upon the circumstances of the DWI conviction. The IID must be installed by a state-authorized service provider and its use begins after a mandatory period of driving privilege revocation. If a driver has privileges revoked for one (1) year, the IID must be used for one (1) year. A four (4) year revocation results in using an IID for three (3) years. When an individual receives a lifetime revocation of driving privileges, an IID must be used for seven (7) years.
Rolling re-tests are standard for all IIDs in the State of North Carolina. If the driver fails the re-test, the vehicle’s horn will blast and the lights will flash until the test is passed or the vehicle is turned off. In cases where an offender’s family members operate one or more of the vehicles owned by the offender, the courts may exempt those vehicles from needing an IID installed. The offender is not allowed to drive the vehicles without the IID. Any and all costs associated with the use of an IID are the responsibility of the offender.
IIDs are ordered in cases involving:
- Habitual impaired driving
- More than one DWI conviction within seven (7) years
- Blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15 or higher
- Manslaughter or negligent homicide due to DWI