Will You Be Forced to Install a BAIID for a First-Time DUI?

 Posted on June 27, 2025 in DUI

Being charged with DUI in Illinois can be overwhelming. In addition to potential criminal penalties, like jail time and steep fines, there are other penalties that can have devastating consequences on your day-to-day life. Having your driver’s license suspended is one of these.

We are a mobile society, and you, like most of us, likely depend heavily on your ability to drive. We drive to work, to school, to take our children to and from school and extracurricular activities, and to run necessary errands. Being required to have a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) on your vehicle in order to drive can add significantly to the financial costs associated with a DUI conviction.

The best step you can take after being charged with DUI is to speak to an experienced Naperville, IL DUI lawyer who will work zealously to have your charges reduced or dropped or to achieve a not-guilty verdict at trial. Having a knowledgeable DUI attorney by your side can significantly alter the outcome of your charges.

What is a BAIID and How Does It Work?

A BAIID uses advanced technology to read a driver’s blood-alcohol content (BAC). If the driver’s BAC is 0.025 or higher, the car will not start. Illinois also requires a camera unit on the BAIID to capture images of the driver (sober) person blow into the BAIID for him or her.  

The driver is required to blow into the BAIID to start the vehicle as well as at random intervals throughout each driving trip. Information from the BAIID is downloaded to the Secretary of State’s office every 60 days. If a violation is detected, the driver receives a letter requesting an explanation of the violation.

If the driver does not provide the explanation or the explanation is insufficient, the suspension can be extended for an additional three months per violation. Three extensions can result in the car being impounded for at least 30 days, and four extensions can result in seizure or forfeiture of the vehicle.

What Are Illinois Laws Associated with a BAIID?

According to the Secretary of State’s office, approximately 12,000 Illinois drivers have a BAIID device installed on their vehicles at any given time. A first-time DUI offender who wishes to drive during his or her suspension period must have a BAIID installed on his or her vehicle. The driver must first obtain a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) through the Secretary of State’s office.

If a driver chooses not to drive, then there is no need for an MDDP and BAIID installation. If, however, a driver is caught driving during the suspension period, he or she can be charged with a Class 4 felony. A BAIID is also required for those with two or three DUI convictions as a condition of receiving a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP).

What Are the Costs Associated with a BAIID?

If a driver is judged to be indigent by the court, there may be financial assistance for installation and monthly BAIID fees. Otherwise, the driver is wholly responsible for the costs associated with the BAIID.

While each vendor sets its own prices, installation of the BAIID is usually about $90, with a monthly vendor fee of $80-$100 and a monthly monitoring fee of $30, paid to the Secretary of State’s office.

Contact a DuPage County, IL DUI Lawyer

Having legal guidance when navigating your first DUI charge is extremely important. An experienced Naperville, IL DUI attorney from Appelman Law LLC can help minimize the restrictions and consequences of DUI charges and can help you understand your options early on in the process.

Attorney Appelman has a master’s degree in forensic psychology, along with a proven track record and unwavering dedication to each client. Call 630-717-7801 to schedule your free consultation.