What is an Ignition Interlock Rolling Retest

If you or someone you know is living with an interlock device, you are probably already familiar with the ignition interlock rolling retest. However, a lot of people have questions like, “What is the rolling retest?”, “How often does interlock go off?” and missed rolling retest, read on to learn more about the ignition interlock device rolling retest.

To ensure that the driver stays sober while driving a vehicle with an interlock device, you will have to take a rolling retest at some point during the drive. The rolling retest — also called a “random retest” — occurs at random times throughout your drive. You may have to take a rolling retest more than once during a single ride — perhaps several times.

Once the car is moving, at some point, the device will beep and flash a blue light. At the same time, the interlock display will read: “Retest required — PLEASE BLOW.” The device gives you several minutes to take the retest. You take the retest the same way you gave your first breath sample before you started the vehicle.

The device gives you several minutes to provide a breath sample for the rolling retest. Before you take a retest, park your vehicle away from traffic. You will have several minutes to take the retest once you receive the prompt, giving you time to park safely. However, if you turn the vehicle off in an attempt to avoid the test, a violation will be recorded.

Missed Rolling Retest

If you don’t respond to the retest prompt right away, the Interlock 7000 starts beeping in a clear tone, and most people have no difficulty hearing it. The beep continues until you take the test. Just push the OK button on the device and provide the breath sample. Taking the test is the only way to get the device to stop beeping. If desired, we also offer an LED accessory to help ensure you don’t miss your retest. Ask your technician for details.

If you don’t take the retest at all, the message “Retest Violation” appears on the display, and the tone will keep beeping. Also, your car’s horn may honk, the parking lights may start flashing, or both of these alarms will go off at the same time; what happens after a retest violation is dependent on requirements set by your state or jurisdiction. To deactivate the horn and/or lights, you must pull over and turn the vehicle off. Your vehicle won’t shut down while you are driving it, but the horn and lights will not stop until the vehicle is turned off.

What happens if you fail the retest?

Make sure your mouth and your vehicle are free of any alcohol vapors and smoke before you provide a breath sample. Sometimes there may be alcohol still in your bloodstream from the night before, or your mouth may have alcohol residues from cough syrup or mouthwash if recently used. The device will go into Temporary Lockout Mode if it detects alcohol above the set limit, according to the requirements of your jurisdiction. However, RoadGuard Interlock devices are designed to minimize the possibility that substances other than the alcohol content of your breath will trigger a failure.

What do you do if the device goes into Temporary Lockout Mode?

Pull the vehicle over and turn off the engine. You’ll receive a waiting period in which the vehicle will not turn on. A countdown will appear on the display, and you have to wait it out. When it’s over, you’ll receive a prompt to provide another breath sample. This gives you the opportunity to pass the retest if you just failed it.

What if you get a retest prompt just as you are leaving?

Sometimes you may be about to leave your vehicle when you receive a retest prompt. Even if you have just turned off the engine, you still have to provide a breath sample. However, you don’t have to restart the engine to take the retest.

Our ignition interlock devices are designed to work easily and efficiently, without getting in the way of your life. Once you have parked in a safe place, the device will take your breath sample in about ten seconds — less than the time it takes to adjust your rearview mirror.

For more information about the ignition interlock device and the rolling retest, please contact us.

 

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