A BAIID is a device installed in a motor vehicle that measures the presence of alcohol on the driver’s breath, and will prevent the vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol in an amount that is over a pre-set level.

Program requirements are caused by certain alcohol related violations of the state’s traffic laws. Depending on the violations, the driver may have an optional or mandatory requirement. Any driver with such a requirement who participates in the IIDP must have a BAIID installed in any vehicle they drive. The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles keeps the records that will determine the nature and length of a driver’s term in the Program.

Participation in the Program only begins when SCDMV issues the driver an Ignition Interlock Restricted license. The driver must have a BAIID installed in order to get this license, but simply having the device installed does not start participation. The license must also be issued. If the Ignition Interlock Restricted license is suspended for any reason, participation time in the Program will be stopped for the duration of the suspension.

Drivers with a mandatory IIDP requirement will remain suspended indefinitely until they have had the device installed and obtained the ignition interlock restricted license from SCDMV.  Drivers with an optional IIDP requirement may serve out the term of their suspension and may then obtain an unrestricted license.

Program term lengths are set by statute and will vary depending on the nature and number of violations. The minimum amount of time a driver will have to have the BAIID installed is three months; the maximum of a lifetime requirement is possible. Requirements that are for less than lifetime must be served consecutively, so drivers with more than one requirement will have to serve out each requirement in its entirety before beginning to serve the next. If you have been advised that you have a Program requirement, contact the IIDP for information about how long you will have to have the device installed.

Drivers subject to the interlock restriction may only drive vehicles that are equipped with a BAIID. However, there is an exception available to some drivers who must drive a vehicle for their employer. You must contact the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for this exception.

Contact information for the manufacturers certified to install BAIIDs in South Carolina is located under the Ignition Interlock heading on this website. The manufacturer of your choice will set up an appointment with a service center to have the device installed. You will also go to the same service center to have the device removed. 

Fees for the installation and rental of the device will vary depending on the manufacturer.

Yes, but they will have to blow into the BAIID and follow the Program’s rules. The driver subject to the ignition interlock restriction is ultimately responsible for any violations recorded by the device, so be sure that others driving your vehicle understand how to properly operate the BAIID.

If you are subject to the ignition interlock restriction, it is a crime to drive any vehicle that is not equipped with a certified, working BAIID.

If you are subject to the ignition interlock restriction, any vehicle you drive must be equipped with a BAIID. If the vehicle is not equipped with a BAIID, you may not drive it.

If you are subject to the ignition interlock restriction the vehicle must be equipped with a BAIID, but it does not need to be registered in your name.

The mechanic performing repairs should be advised that the vehicle is equipped with a BAIID and given the device manufacturer’s contact information. You should inform the manufacturer that repairs are being made, and also contact the Program. Get a detailed receipt for the repairs.

Prior to selling the vehicle you should contact the IIDP office for instructions.

Drivers are required to have the vehicle equipped with the BAIID inspected at least once every sixty days. The service center that installed the BAIID will perform the inspections. At the inspections, the device will be calibrated and the data it has recorded will be downloaded.

Once the vehicle has been successfully started, the BAIID will periodically indicate to the driver that they must blow into the device.  When so prompted, the driver must provide a breath sample.

The BAIID is designed to detect the presence of alcohol on the breath, whatever the source. Some mouthwashes may contain alcohol that the device will detect. Also, sugars and yeast in some pastries may cause the presence of mouth alcohol that the device will detect. However, alcohol from these sources will only persist in the mouth for a brief amount of time. The Program recommends that you wait at least fifteen minutes after eating or using mouthwash before blowing into the BAIID. Further, rinsing your mouth with water before delivering a breath sample can help disperse alcohol from such sources.

No. Once the vehicle is started, only the driver can shut down the engine.

Drivers are assessed points for violations of the Program’s rules. The number of points assessed will determine what penalty will apply, if any. Point assessments may cause an extension of time the driver must participate in the Program, a requirement for an alcohol and drug abuse assessment, and the suspension of the driver’s license.

You will be notified of any point assessments via a mailed notice from the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. The notice will advise you of your rights to appeal the point assessments and how to do so.

Yes. State law requires any person with an Ignition Interlock requirement from another state who becomes a resident of South Carolina to enroll in the IIDP.  The person will be required to serve a Program term length that is equal to that required for the same offense in South Carolina or for the length of time that is required by the originating state, whichever is longer.

The BAIID should not drain the battery of a vehicle with a properly functioning electrical system. However, if the vehicle is left idle and not driven for prolonged periods, more than a week at a time, the battery can start to be affected. Further, if the vehicle’s wiring is in poor repair, a prolonged idle period may affect the battery sooner than it would in a vehicle in good repair.