IID stands for Ignition Interlock Device
An IID on your Florida driver's license means you are required to install and use an ignition interlock device in any vehicle you drive. This device measures your breath alcohol content before the engine will start. If the device detects alcohol above a set limit, the car will not start.
The IID requirement appears on your license as a restriction code. It is ordered by a Florida court as part of a DUI (driving under the influence) sentence, or sometimes as a condition of license reinstatement after a DUI suspension. You cannot legally drive without the device installed, even if you own the vehicle outright.
The device itself is about the size of a cell phone and connects to your vehicle's ignition system. You blow into it before starting the engine, and periodically while driving. The device records all test results and sends them to a monitoring company, which reports to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Key Takeaways
- An IID restriction on your license means a court has ordered you to install an ignition interlock device in any vehicle you operate.
- The device prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol in your breath above the legal threshold set by the court.
- You must use the IID for the entire period ordered by the court, which varies based on your DUI conviction and prior history.
- Tampering with, removing, or bypassing the device is a separate criminal offense in Florida and will extend your IID requirement.
- You can remove the IID only after the court-ordered period ends and you provide proof of compliance to the Florida DHSMV.
How long you must use an IID
The length of time you must use an IID depends on your DUI conviction history and what the court ordered. For a first DUI conviction in Florida, the minimum period is typically six months. If you have prior DUI convictions, the court can order one year or longer.
The clock starts from the date the court orders the device, not from the date you install it. If you delay installation, you are still serving the same total time period. Some courts also impose a longer IID requirement if you refused a breath or blood test at the time of arrest, or if your blood alcohol level was very high.
You can request early removal only in limited circumstances, such as if you can show financial hardship. The request goes to the same judge who ordered the device. Most judges do not grant early removal unless you have a documented reason and have complied perfectly with all IID requirements up to that point.
What happens during an IID test
When you need to start your vehicle, you blow into the IID mouthpiece for about five to ten seconds. The device analyzes your breath and either allows the engine to start or locks it. If the result is below the legal limit set by the court (usually 0.02 percent blood alcohol content), the car starts normally.
While you are driving, the device may ask you to provide another breath sample at random intervals. This is called a rolling retest. You have a set amount of time to pull over safely and provide the sample. If you do not test, or if you fail a rolling retest, the device logs a violation and may trigger your vehicle's lights and horn as a warning.
Every test result — whether you pass or fail — is recorded and transmitted to the monitoring company. Your probation officer or the court can review these records at any time. A pattern of failed tests or missed tests can result in additional penalties, including jail time or an extended IID requirement.
The cost of using an IID
You pay for the IID installation and monthly monitoring fees out of your own pocket. Installation typically costs between $100 and $300, depending on the device and the installer. Monthly monitoring fees range from $60 to $100, though the exact amount varies by the monitoring company and your location within Florida.
Some counties or court systems have approved lists of IID providers, and you must use one on that list. You cannot choose any company you want. The court or your probation officer will give you the approved list when the IID is ordered.
If you cannot afford the fees, you can request a fee waiver or reduction from the court. Bring documentation of your income and expenses. The court may reduce or waive fees if you demonstrate genuine financial hardship, but this is not automatic and depends on the judge's decision.
What violations can extend your IID requirement
Tampering with the device, removing it without court permission, or attempting to bypass it is a separate criminal offense in Florida. If you are caught, the court will extend your IID requirement, often by one year or more. You may also face additional criminal charges and jail time.
Failing multiple breath tests or missing rolling retests also creates a violation record. A single failed test does not automatically extend your requirement, but a pattern of failures gives the court grounds to extend the period or impose other penalties. Some courts set a threshold — for example, three failed tests in a month — that triggers a review.
Driving a vehicle without the IID installed during your required period is a criminal offense. If you are stopped by police and your license shows an IID restriction but your vehicle does not have one, you can be arrested and charged. This charge is separate from the original DUI and carries its own penalties.
How to remove the IID after your time is up
When your court-ordered IID period ends, you cannot straightforward remove the device yourself. You must contact the monitoring company and request removal. The company will schedule an appointment to uninstall it and provide you with a removal certificate.
Take that removal certificate to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office or submit it by mail. The DHSMV will update your license to remove the IID restriction code. This usually takes one to two weeks after the DHSMV receives the certificate.
Do not drive without the device before your removal certificate is processed and your license is updated. Even if your court-ordered period has ended, you are still legally required to have the device until the DHSMV removes the restriction from your license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive someone else's car if it doesn't have an IID?
No. Your license restriction applies to you, not to a specific vehicle. You cannot legally drive any car without an IID installed, even if you borrow it from a friend or family member. Doing so is a criminal offense.
What if I can't afford the monthly IID fees?
You can request a fee reduction or waiver from the court that ordered the device. Bring proof of your income and expenses. The court may reduce fees if you show financial hardship, but approval is not may provide and depends on the judge's decision.
Does the IID show up on my criminal record?
The IID restriction appears on your driver's license, not on your criminal record. Your criminal record shows the DUI conviction itself. The IID is a license restriction tied to that conviction and is separate from your criminal history.
What happens if I move out of Florida while I have an IID requirement?
You must continue to comply with your Florida court order, even if you move. You will need to install an IID in your new state and continue monitoring. Contact your probation officer or the court before you move to understand how to maintain compliance in another state.
Can I get my license back without an IID?
That depends on your specific case and what the court ordered. Some DUI sentences include an IID requirement; others do not. If the court did not order an IID, you do not need one. If it did order one, you cannot remove the restriction until the required period ends and you provide proof of removal to the DHSMV.