Why Did I Just Fail My Ignition Interlock Test?

If you have an ignition interlock installed in your vehicle, you know that there are certain rules and regulations to using it. When you’re about to drive you have to blow into it to start your vehicle. If you’re driving and you receive an alert to take a rolling retest, you must take it or you’ll have to pull over and your car will stop working.

But what if you fail your ignition interlock test? What happens then and why would it happen in the first place? There are a few reasons why you might receive a fail when you blow into your interlock.

You’ve just rinsed your mouth with mouthwash

If you use mouthwash on a regular basis, you might want to give it up while you have an ignition interlock. Some types of mouthwash can contain up to 30% alcohol, so if you use right it before you test you could receive a fail. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water before you test just in case you still have mouthwash residue.

You’re taking cold medicine

Just like mouthwash, cold medicines like Nyquil contain alcohol. Although the amount of alcohol isn’t the same as if you were drinking a glass of beer or wine, having it in your system can still result in you failing your ignition interlock test.

You’ve been drinking alcohol

The number one reason why you would fail your ignition interlock test is because you’ve been drinking alcohol. It doesn’t matter if you only have one glass of beer or wine; because ignition interlocks are set to detect low levels of alcohol, if you’ve been drinking your car won’t start.

When you fail your ignition interlock test because of mouth wash or cold medicine, all you have to do is rinse your mouth with water, take your test again, and your car should start. If you fail it because of drinking alcohol, you won’t have the option to drive your car until there is no alcohol in your system.

That complete disabling of your car is the reason why ignition interlock save lives, and they save you from the headache of receiving another DUI conviction because you made the choice to drink and drive again.