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Michigan law states that, for a first offense with a high blood alcohol content, your consequences will be as follows:

1. Up to 180 days in jail
2. A fine of $200-700
3. Up to 360 hours of community service
4. A one-year license suspension.  (In this instance, the Michigan Secretary of State may issue a restricted license 45 days after the suspension starts if a person is otherwise eligible. Proof of installation of an Ignition Interlock Device is required before a restricted license will be issued.)
5. A restricted license will permit you to operate a vehicle equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) under the following circumstances:
   – to and from residence and employment and during employment
   – to and from alcohol or drug education or treatment programs
   – to and from regularly scheduled treatment for serious medical conditions
   – to and from probation, community service and school

If you have two or more convictions of drunk or drugged driving in the last seven years, or if you have three or more convictions within 10 years, the law considers you a habitual offender.  In this case, the Secretary of State is required to revoke your license and deny your application for another license. After the minimum period of revocation/denial, you may be eligible for a driver’s license application appeal hearing. If a restricted license is ordered, the hearing officer must require that you install a breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) on any vehicle you own or operate. If this happens, you cannot drive until the BAIID is properly installed and proof of installation is presented to a local Secretary of State branch office.

Beginning October 31, 2010, Michigan law states that anyone with a restricted license who requires a BAIID must continue to drive with the device until the Secretary of State authorizes him/her to remove it.

Once you have scheduled your breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installation with Smart Start, you will need to bring the following to your BAIID installation appointment:

1. Driver’s license or state-issued ID
2. A copy of your court order (if applicable)
3. Payment for your first month’s lease and installation

Smart Start Michigan will provide you with a BAIID Installation Form that you will either provide to the ordering Sobriety Court or, if you are not under the supervision of a Sobriety Court, take to your local Secretary of State (SOS) Branch Office.

Smart Start Michigan’s devices are compliant with all state and federal requirements, and we are certified as a provider of the installation and service of breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIIDs) in the state of Michigan.  Our devices are tested and certified to meet the standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In the state of Michigan, violations of the BAIID program for habitual offenders are divided into “minor” and “major” categories. You have two months after the breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) is installed to become familiar with the device, and to learn that certain substances like mouthwash may cause the device to record a test failure. After the first two months, you incur a minor violation if the BAIID records 3 start-up test failures within a monitoring period. A start-up test failure means the BAIID has prevented the vehicle from starting due to alcohol content in the breath sample. A monitoring period is the full length of time the BAIID is required to be properly installed.  If you fail to report to a Smart Start Michigan Service Center for servicing/calibration within seven days after your scheduled monitoring date, that will also count as a minor violation. Minor violations will result in a three-month extension of the time before you may request another license appeal hearing.

Any and all of the following may be considered major violations:

1. Rolling retest violation:
   • Failing to take the rolling retest when prompted by the BAIID; or
   • A random retest that detects a BrAC of .025 or higher, with no subsequent sample with a BAC of less than .025 within five (5) minutes
2. An arrest or conviction for drunk and/or drugged driving
3. Tampering with the BAIID
4. Circumventing the BAIID
5. Three minor violations within a monitoring period
6. Removing the BAIID without having another breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device installed within seven days, unless the Michigan Secretary of State has authorized the removal
7. Operating a vehicle without a properly installed BAIID

Major violations will result in the immediate reinstatement of your original driver license revocation/denial. You may appeal that action to the Administrative Hearings Section. The appeal must be in writing, and must be submitted within 14 days after the effective date of the reinstatement.

BAIID REQUIRED FOR AN OFFENDER WITH A HIGH BAC:

If you decide that you want the restricted license, you will have two months after the breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) is installed to become familiar with the device, and to learn that certain substances like mouthwash may cause the device to record a start-up test failure. After the first two months, any instance of a .025 or higher BAC reading will result in another one-year suspension. However, any rolling retest failure will result in an additional one-year suspension of your driver’s license. You may be eligible for another restricted license after serving 45 days of suspension if a BAIID is properly installed on every vehicle you operate.

A violation report is sent into the state department, and the department will determine how to proceed.  All receipts for any service or any other documentation should be provided to Smart Start immediately after you obtain it.

Michigan state law requires that you service your breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) every 60 days.

Michigan law states that, for a first offense with a high blood alcohol content, your consequences will be as follows:

1. Up to 180 days in jail
2. A fine of $200-700
3. Up to 360 hours of community service
4. A one-year license suspension.  (In this instance, the Michigan Secretary of State may issue a restricted license 45 days after the suspension starts if a person is otherwise eligible. Proof of installation of an Ignition Interlock Device is required before a restricted license will be issued.)
5. A restricted license will permit you to operate a vehicle equipped with an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) under the following circumstances:
   – to and from residence and employment and during employment
   – to and from alcohol or drug education or treatment programs
   – to and from regularly scheduled treatment for serious medical conditions
   – to and from probation, community service and school

If you have two or more convictions of drunk or drugged driving in the last seven years, or if you have three or more convictions within 10 years, the law considers you a habitual offender. In this case, the Secretary of State is required to revoke your license and deny your application for another license. After the minimum period of revocation/denial, you may be eligible for a driver’s license application appeal hearing. If a restricted license is ordered, the hearing officer must require that you install a breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) on any vehicle you own or operate. If this happens, you cannot drive until the BAIID is properly installed and proof of installation is presented to a local Secretary of State branch office.

HOWEVER, this list is not a comprehensive representation of all programs and consequences. Laws and consequences are subject to change. For a more detailed summation of consequences, please visit Michigan.gov.

In order to remove your breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID), you must obtain approval from the Administrative Hearings Section of the Michigan Secretary of State.

If you are a high BAC offender, you will be eligible to ask for permission to remove the BAIID one year after the beginning of your original license suspension — provided that you have not violated the terms of your driver’s license restrictions. You must include a report from Smart Start to the Administrative Hearings Section with your request for authorization to remove the BAIID. Your request may be approved if there are NONE of the following:

1. Instances of BAIID test samples with a BAC of .025 or higher
2. Convictions for operating a vehicle without a properly installed BAIID
3. Evidence of tampering with or circumventing the BAIID
   If your request is approved, you must take your Order Authorizing BAIID Removal to your nearest Smart Start Michigan service center before the device can be removed.

If you are a repeat offender and a hearing officer orders a restricted license for you with a breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) requirement, you must drive under the restrictions with a properly installed BAIID for at least one full year. If there are alcohol readings or other BAIID violations after the device is installed, Smart Start will report them to the Michigan Secretary of State. As indicated before, the possible consequences of those reports may include an extension of the time before you can request another license appeal hearing or the reinstatement of the original license revocation/denial. When you are eligible, you may request a license appeal hearing to ask that the restrictions be removed from your license. At that hearing, you must present the Smart Start report to prove that the BAIID was installed for at least the minimum required length of time and to establish whether there were any alcohol readings or other BAIID violations.

If your hearing was held, or your restricted license that requires a BAIID was issued on or after October 31, 2010, you must keep the device on your vehicle until the Michigan Secretary of State authorizes you to remove it.

Michigan state law says that you must install a breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) on any vehicle that you intend to drive during your restriction. You do not have to own a vehicle for the law to dictate that you need a BAIID installed.

Michigan state law requires that you install a breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) on any vehicle that you intend to drive during your restriction.

Michigan law states that you must install the breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) in the state of Michigan and you must be serviced inside the state of Michigan. There is a Hardship Form that you can fill out and provide to Smart Start to possibly obtain approval to service outside of the state.

In the state of Michigan, violations of the BAIID program for habitual offenders are divided into “minor” and “major” categories. You have two months after the breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) is installed to become familiar with the device, and to learn that certain substances like mouthwash may cause the device to record a test failure. After the first two months, you incur a minor violation if the BAIID records 3 start-up test failures within a monitoring period. A start-up test failure means the BAIID has prevented the vehicle from starting due to alcohol content in the breath sample. A monitoring period is the full length of time the BAIID is required to be properly installed. If you fail to report to a Smart Start Michigan Service Center for servicing/calibration within seven days after your scheduled monitoring date, that will also count as a minor violation.  Minor violations will result in a three-month extension of the time before you may request another license appeal hearing.

Any and all of the following may be considered major violations:

1. Rolling retest violation:
   • Failing to take the rolling retest when prompted by the BAIID; or
   • A random retest that detects a BrAC of .025 or higher, with no subsequent sample with a BAC of less than .025 within five (5) minutes
2. An arrest or conviction for drunk and/or drugged driving
3. Tampering with the BAIID
4. Circumventing the BAIID
5. Three minor violations within a monitoring period
6. Removing the BAIID without having another breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device installed within seven days, unless the Michigan Secretary of State has authorized the removal
7. Operating a vehicle without a properly installed BAIID

Major violations will result in the immediate reinstatement of your original driver license revocation/denial. You may appeal that action to the Administrative Hearings Section. The appeal must be in writing, and must be submitted within 14 days after the effective date of the reinstatement.

BAIID REQUIRED FOR AN OFFENDER WITH A HIGH BAC:

If you decide that you want the restricted license, you will have two months after the breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) is installed to become familiar with the device, and to learn that certain substances like mouthwash may cause the device to record a start-up test failure. After the first two months, any instance of a .025 or higher BAC reading will result in another one-year suspension. However, any rolling retest failure will result in an additional one-year suspension of your driver’s license.

To install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on your vehicle or a family member’s vehicle voluntarily, click the chat window below, fill out our online form, or call Smart Start at 888.234.0198 to speak with one of our customer care advocates and schedule a voluntary installation appointment. You may also be required to pay a security deposit.

The state of Michigan requires a camera with all breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (BAIIDs). A Michigan court may have additional requirements, so be sure to check with your court.

The appropriate time of installation is determined by the state department or your supervising court. There is a minimum 45-day hard suspension where you will not be allowed to drive.

No, the camera only takes a picture when you are asked to provide a breath sample, when you start the car, or when you incur a violation. The camera does not take videos, and there is no live streaming.

In the state of Michigan, the Administrative Hearing Section is the department of state that oversees the BAIID program. You may also have the addition of a court if you are under the supervision of a court.

The state of Michigan requires that every breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) be installed with a compatible camera.  Smart Start is an approved, certified breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device provider in the state of Michigan, so you can be sure that all of our devices meet any necessary state and federal regulations.  For a more comprehensive list of state requirements for an Ignition Interlock Device, please see Michigan.gov.

You can pay for your calibration at the time of service at the Smart Start Michigan service center via any form of payment except personal checks. If necessary, you can call 888.234.0198 to post payment.

Smart Start of Michigan will automatically send a record of your service appointments to your State authority on your behalf at no extra charge to you.

No, the BAIID does not hurt the vehicle in any way.

Motorcycle breath alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installation laws differ by state. Smart Start operates throughout the U.S. as a certified manufacturer and will work harder than other companies to provide you a seamless Interlock program that still follows your case requirements in the state of Michigan. Please call our Customer Care Center at 888.234.0198 if you have any questions.

The state of Michigan does not require that your BAIID be connected to your horn and lights, but those connections can be made upon request.

Our GPS tethers are discrete, they will not make noise but will vibrate to notify clients of essential matters such as:

• Entering an exclusion zone
• Exiting an inclusion zone
• Strap tampering
• Low battery
• Dead battery

While there are no products that will cause any tampering with the device, bug spray with deet can cause damage to the finish on the plastic band and should be avoided.

Yes, our Smart Tag tether is waterproof and can be submerged up to 66feet. Wearers can shower/bathe, worry free!  The Wireless On Body Charger (OBC) however, should NOT get wet. You cannot shower, bathe, or swim while the OBC is clipped onto the device.

While our device is designed to be discreet being only 2×2 inches square and protrudes just .9 inches away from the ankle, it may be uncomfortable to wear with any high-top footwear. However, it will not impact the device or cause a tampering violation.

The GPS tether should not set off any security alarms in stores. However, the tether will be detected by security checkpoints at an airport or through any metal detector system.

We offer monthly, bi-weekly, and weekly payment plans.

Our monitoring staff and the monitoring authority that required the device will have access to your location data.

The battery life on the Smart Tag Tether can last 2-5 days, depending on different monitoring levels/requirements.

The Smart Tag device must be charged for a minimum of 2 hours a day to ensure long lasting battery life.

Our device comes with an wireless charger called the On-Body Charger (OBC) that allows you to be mobile while charging.

• It is suggested that the OBC remains connected to a power outlet when not being worn so it can recharge.
• A fully charged OBC can fully charge a Smart Tag device twice.
• The OBC is water resistant but cannot be submerged. Wearers may NOT shower, bathe, or swim while device is OBC is connected to the Smart Tag tether.

The Wireless On-Body-Charger has a green light that flashes in four different patterns to indicate different charging statuses.

Charging on the tag:

• A pulse or “breathing” blink indicates that the Smart Tag is being charged.
• A fast blink every 3 seconds indicates that the Smart Tag is completely charged (2 hours) and charger can be removed and placed back on the wall dock.

Charging the on-body charger on the wall:

• A fast green blinking light indicates that the charger is in the process of charging
• A solid green light indicates that the charger is completely charged and ready to be worn.

No, do not undergo any MRIs, CT Scans, or X-rays while wearing the device. Please call 888.234.0198 ext. 4041 if this is an issue.

Yes, our device is designed to be discreet to allow you to continue your everyday routine without hassle.

If you have and questions, concerns, or issues with your device please call our help center at 888.234.0198 ext. 4041.

Instructional information is provided with the device in the carrying case and online at __. Additional information will be given out during the enrollment process. You can also contact our customer support team for further instructions or assistance at 888.234.0198.

This is the time period in which your monitoring authority has decided you must provide a test. If you miss a test window, a violation will be recorded. The Smart Mobile will beep to let you know it is time to provide a test. As the test window nears the end of the allotted time, the unit will beep more frequently.

SmartMobile takes a picture while you are providing your breath sample. Please remember that all people in the room must be dressed appropriately during the test cycle. You may receive an “abort” or a “test incomplete” result if you have a bright window or light behind you when taking a test, or if you are in a room that is too dark for your face to register on the unit. SmartMobile does NOT take pictures at random.

The device will beep, the right LED will flash green, and the LCD will display “BLOW” along with a timer indicating how much time you have to take a test.

Yes, you may initiate a test anytime the device displays “Ready,” “Blow,” or “Test Required”. Please note: You are still responsible for any failed tests provided outside of a testing window.

A test with the result of “PASS” was not provided during a test window.

Violations are breath sample which contains alcohol and missed test windows.

This message is displayed after a failed test is provided. You will not be able to provide a test during this time. The “mm:ss” is a countdown timer informing you how long you will have to wait to before the device will accept a new test.

This message is displayed after a failed test is provided during a test window. You will not be able to provide a test during this time. The “mm:ss” is a countdown timer informing you how long you will have to wait to before the device will accept a new test.

The appointment date and time is printed on the service receipt, and it is saved under “Next Appointment” in the device menu options. You can also contact our customer support team for information about you upcoming appointment, 888.234.0198.

The unit only has to be calibrated every six months.  However, you must call us each month to make your payment. Your payment date will appear under “Next Appointment” in the device menu.

This means air was sucked from the device instead of blowing air into the device. Wait until the device returns to BLOW and, this time, do NOT inhale.

This means that you did not complete the test cycle. Wait for the device to return to BLOW and, this time, blow a little longer and a little harder.

This means the air is being blown into the unit with too much pressure. Wait for the device to return to BLOW and, this time, blow a little softer.

The device is in lockout due to missing your service date. You are not able to take a test and are required to have the unit serviced. We do not offer lockout codes for the SmartMobile. You will need to take your device to the nearest Smart Start Michigan Service Center to have it calibrated.

The device’s cellular unit is downloading your data over the cellular network. Do NOT unplug your unit during this process. You must allow the unit to complete this cellular data upload process. Unplugging the SmartMobile unit during the cellular upload process will not stop the data uploading. The SmartMobile unit will continue calling until it is finished, and unplugging the SmartMobile unit will only delay this process. It is your responsibility to keep the SmartMobile unit plugged in at all times in an area with good cellular signal.

Because it has a battery, SmartMobile does not have to be plugged in to be uploading data. If this message remains for more than 30 minutes, the cellular network could be overloaded.  Your data upload will complete when the overload clears.

Contact our customer support team at 888.234.0198 and ask to speak to a certified technician, or to arrange to take your device to your nearest Smart Start Michigan Service Center.

Press the “0” key one time. There is no need to hold the key down.

This can happen if the camera is blocked. You may also receive this notification if there is poor lighting, bright lights behind you, or if you are taking a test outside at night. Make sure your mouthpiece is inserted correctly and that you are in a well-lit area and try your test again.

Plug the device into an electrical outlet or the USB port of a computer. If the battery is completely dead, it may take a few minutes to charge enough to turn on again. If the device is stored in a cold environment, it may also take some time to warm up.

In order to take a test, “Ready,” “Blow,” or “Test Required” must be displayed on your device.  Make sure that your mouthpiece is aligned correctly and inserted all the way into the device. If the device is uploading data to a cellular network or conducting internal tests, it may not be ready for you to take a test yet.

Make sure the proper sides of the charger cable are aligning and try again. Do NOT force the charger cable into the device.
If your unit still fails to charge, you will need to bring it to the nearest Smart Start Michigan Service Center for servicing.

If the mouthpiece is not all the way in, or if it hasn’t been inserted correctly, the airports may not be properly aligned. This could result in a “tamper detect” message. You may also receive a “tamper detect” message if you are blocking the exhaust port on the back of the device or if you blow too much moisture during a test. You should rinse out your mouth before each test, but make sure to swallow any lingering moisture or saliva before testing.

You can always ask our friendly service technicians for instructions at your installation appointment. You can also find online training videos with step-by-step instructions for using your IID.

“Blow harder” means that your breath sample did not last long enough for your test to register. “Hum stronger” means that you began humming either too late or too soon. It might also mean that your hum was not strong enough to register. “Blow softer” means that your breath sample was too strong. “Don’t inhale” means that you might have inhaled while your lips were still around the mouthpiece, therefore sucking air into the unit. “Abort tamper” means that you covered the vent on the back of your IID while blowing. “Mouth closer” means that you’ll need to hold the Ignition Interlock Device more firmly against your mouth to avoid letting the device pull away as you blow. To complete your test successfully, you will need to blow steadily for the full time of your test. Keep both your breath volume and your hum even during testing.

“Abort lock” means that you have exceeded the allowed number of aborts during a 15-minute period and will need to wait until the countdown completes before you attempt another test.

• “Initial BAC” means that the device has detected alcohol during your initial test.
• “RRTEST” means that the device detected alcohol during your Rolling Re-Test.
• “RRSkip” means that a rolling re-test skip has occurred because you did not take a test when prompted after your initial test. Even if you are at your destination, you must test again if your device prompts you to do so.
• “CIRC” means that circumvention has occurred in the form of you disconnecting your handheld while driving.
• “Templock” means that your test detected a low level of alcohol, and your device has been temporarily locked based on your state’s limits.

Press the # key and then the number 3 on the keypad.

This means you are in service grace period countdown, and you have 2 days remaining before you lock out. You must take your vehicle to the nearest Service Center to have it calibrated before the countdown ends.

This means you are in your violation grace period countdown, and you have 2 days remaining before you lock out. You must take your vehicle to the nearest service center to have it calibrated before the countdown ends.

This means you have lost all your points and have exceeded the violation grace period.

• If you are a MICHIGAN client, you will unfortunately have to have your vehicle towed to the nearest service center at your own expense.
• If you are a WISCONSIN client, you can call 888.234.0198 to obtain a one-time unlock code in order to take the vehicle to a Smart Start service center. You must take your vehicle to a service center within 6 hours of entering the code to regain the use of your device. If you fail to take your vehicle to the nearest service center within 6 hours, you will unfortunately have to tow your vehicle at your own expense.

This means you have missed your monthly service and have exceeded the service grace period.

Press the # key, then the 1 key on the keypad to display your appointment time.

Never. In fact, our devices have a safety feature where, if your vehicle does shut off or stall for any reason, you’ll have a full two minutes to restart your vehicle without taking a test.

It varies, depending on a person’s constitution and metabolism. Make sure to rinse your mouth out with water before taking a test to ensure maximum accuracy.

No, but the technology is constantly evolving. Remember that using marijuana or any other illicit drug can also result in an impaired driving charge.