If you are using an ignition interlock device as a vehicle user, you definitely know that you need to calibrate your device at certain time intervals. But what happens if you miss this important appointment? This is what happens to many drivers and can sometimes be a confusing situation. If you are looking for an answer to the question What happens if I miss my interlock calibration, you are in the right place! I will share with you both my own experiences and the mistakes that are often made in this regard.
The Effects of Missing the Interlock Calibration on the Device
The proper operation of interlock devices depends on regular calibration. If you miss your calibration appointment, your device may switch to “lockout” mode after a while. This mode means that the device will no longer allow you to start the engine. This can be quite a frustrating problem, especially when you need to use your car in an emergency. If the device does not work properly, it can seriously affect your daily life.
Missing the calibration not only creates a technical problem; it also damages the reliability of the device. The purpose of interlock devices is to accurately measure your alcohol level and ensure safety during vehicle use. If the device does not measure correctly, this may also create a legal problem for you. Therefore, it is very important to ensure that the device always works with full performance.
In an incident that happened to me, I was late for work one morning when the device went into lockout mode. I had to talk to both the technical service and the company that installed the device. This was a process that put a lot of strain not only on my time, but also on my nerves.
Legal Problems and Negative Consequences
Missing the interlock calibration can have not only technical, but also legal consequences. Many states consider regular calibration of interlock devices to be a legal obligation. If you miss your appointment, this may be considered illegal behavior and may lead to the suspension of your license.
Especially if you are using this device due to DUI (drunk driving), not performing regular calibration can be used against you in court. If the reports submitted to the court indicate that the device is not working properly or that the user is not fulfilling his responsibilities, this may lead to an extension of your sentence. This will be refunded to you as additional fines and legal costs.
In an incident that happened to an acquaintance of mine, his driver’s license was confiscated for a few more months because he forgot the calibration date. This had made not only her daily life, but also her transportation to her job seriously difficult. So, the consequences of a small omission can be much greater than you think.
Technical Support Process and Solutions
When you miss your calibration appointment, the first thing you should do is contact technical support. Most interlock providers offer emergency support services for such situations. However, these services are usually provided for an additional fee. Emergency response costs are a price that you will pay to reactivate your device.
When talking to technical support, you can find out why the device has switched to lockout mode and what needs to be done. Usually, they offer a temporary solution for a certain period of time until we have the device calibrated again. However, this does not mean that the problem should be solved radically. In the next step, you will definitely need to recalibrate your device at an authorized service.
Once when I missed my device calibration appointment, the technical support team sent me a temporary code to manually reset the device. This saved me a few days, but I still had to take the device to the service. I can say that technical support is fast and effective in such situations, but it is always a better option to prevent such disruptions.
Tips for Not Forgetting Calibration Appointments
If you do not want to have problems with your interlock device, you should never forget your calibration appointments. You can use simple but effective methods for this. For example, putting a reminder on your phone or marking it on your calendar can be very useful in this process. The use of reminders allows you to keep track of your appointments regularly.
In addition, some interlock providers send e-mail or SMS reminders for upcoming appointments. By using such services, you can minimize the possibility of missing your appointment. If you are not using this service, you can contact your provider and request to activate it.
When I had a problem with my own device, I forgot the calibration date because I didn’t put a reminder. After that day, I set an alarm on my phone for a certain day of each month. This simple measure has prevented all the problems that I may experience in the future.
The answer to the question of what happens if I miss my interlock calibration is a complex situation with both technical and legal consequences. Regularly keeping track of your calibration appointments will not only ensure that your device runs smoothly, but also ensure that you are legally safe. Remember, a small omission can lead to big problems. Therefore, you can keep both yourself and your surroundings safe by having your interlock device checked regularly.
