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Charged With a DUI? Why First-Time Offenders in San Diego Are Getting Interlock Devices

By San Diego Attorney on March 19, 2025

Getting pulled over and charged with a DUI for the first time in San Diego can feel overwhelming. Still, many people assume that if it is their first offense, they will walk away with a slap on the wrist—maybe a fine, a license suspension, or a mandatory alcohol education course.

They probably do not expect to be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. But under California’s DUI laws, this is the reality.

Now, even first-time DUI offenders in San Diego are frequently required to install these devices. This is another reason why it is so important to make informed decisions early in the legal process.

What Is an Ignition Interlock Device?

An ignition interlock device (IID) is essentially a breathalyzer connected to your vehicle’s ignition system. Before starting the car, the driver must blow into the device. If the device detects alcohol above a preset limit (usually 0.02%), the vehicle will not start.

The device also requires random retests—known as rolling retests—while the vehicle is in operation to ensure the driver remains alcohol-free. All test results, including failures and missed retests, are logged and reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the court.

California’s Universal IID Law

Since January 1, 2019, California has enforced a statewide ignition interlock device program, and the rollout has continued to evolve into 2025.

According to the DUI interlock law in San Diego, even first-time DUI offenders may be required to install an IID if:

• The offense involved injury to another person
• Their blood alcohol content (BAC) was particularly high (often 0.15% or more)
• They want to avoid a hard license suspension and continue driving

As of 2025, California law provides judges with more discretion and encourages the use of IIDs to allow DUI offenders to continue driving legally—provided they use an IID for a specified period.

Legal Consequences for First-Time DUI Offenders

Many San Diego drivers are stunned to learn that DUI ignition interlock requirements are not limited to repeat offenders. The reality is that a DUI charge—even for a person with no criminal history—can trigger serious, long-term consequences.

Here is what a first-time DUI offender may face in San Diego under current law:

• Minimum of 6-month license suspension
• Mandatory installation of an IID for up to 6 months
• Fines and penalties totaling $2,000–$3,000
• Mandatory DUI education program (3 to 9 months)
• Probation for 3 to 5 years
• SR-22 insurance requirement for reinstating driving privileges

Installing an IID may actually reduce the length of a suspension, as drivers can often apply for a restricted license immediately after their arrest or conviction. This is part of the California DMV’s incentive system to promote responsible behavior while maintaining limited driving privileges.

Why Are Interlock Devices Required for First-Time Offenders?

The state of California—and San Diego County courts in particular—view IIDs as both a deterrent and a preventive tool. Lawmakers believe that by requiring IIDs early in the process, DUI repetition will decrease. Courts may impose the IID to:

• Protect the public from repeat offenses
• Allow first-time offenders to keep working or attending school
• Demonstrate a commitment to rehabilitation
• Comply with DMV administrative requirements

In short, IIDs are no longer a penalty reserved for serious or repeat offenders. They are now built into California’s graduated penalty structure—which allows offenders to regain some driving privileges in exchange for stricter monitoring.

DUI Penalties 2025 California—What Else Has Changed?

Recent updates to DUI penalties in 2025 California reflect a broader push toward accountability and public safety. As of this year, even a first-time offender could face:

• Enhanced penalties for refusing a breath or blood test
• Stricter ignition interlock requirements for aggravating factors
• Higher insurance costs for longer periods (up to 5 years)
• Court-mandated alcohol monitoring or treatment programs
• Harsher penalties if minors were present in the vehicle

And if your DUI involved property damage or personal injury, the penalties may escalate rapidly, possibly including jail time or civil liability claims from victims.

How an IID Affects Your Life and Finances

While the IID allows you to keep driving, it comes at a cost, literally. In San Diego, the average IID installation costs between $75 and $150, with monthly maintenance fees ranging from $60 to $80. You are also required to:

• Visit a certified provider for regular calibrations and data downloads
• Maintain an SR-22 insurance certificate
• Avoid tampering with or removing the device, which can trigger penalties

Not to mention that noncompliance can lead to extended IID periods, license revocation, or even criminal contempt charges if mandated by a judge.

See Your Lawyer Right Away

Facing a DUI charge can be isolating, confusing, and intimidating. That is where seeking experienced legal representation benefits you. An early consultation with an experienced San Diego drunk driving defense lawyer provides real legal support. Your attorney can do the following:

• Request a DMV hearing within 10 days of arrest to challenge a license suspension
• Petition for a restricted license with IID installation
• Evaluate possible defenses based on arrest procedures, equipment calibration, or constitutional issues
• Negotiate for reduced charges, such as a “wet reckless,” which might avoid IID requirements altogether

You only get one chance to protect your record. Do not assume that a first-time DUI is “no big deal”—a consultation could mean the difference between license suspension and limited driving freedom, between a minor mark and a major legal setback.

A First-Time DUI Can Have Serious Consequences

Here is what you could be facing after being convicted of a first-time DUI:

• The DMV process is separate from the court case—you could win one and lose the other
• Insurance premiums can triple, even with a restricted license
• A DUI stays on your driving record for 10 years
• Out-of-pocket expenses often total over $10,000, factoring in fees, lost income, and insurance hikes
• A DUI conviction can impact job opportunities, especially those requiring background checks or clean driving records

Talk to an Experienced San Diego DUI Lawyer Today

If you have been arrested for DUI, call jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys right away. Our skilled San Diego DUI lawyer can provide an aggressive legal strategy aimed at getting the charges against you reduced or dismissed altogether.

Founding attorney James N. Dicks has over three decades of legal experience and has received the AVVO Client Choice Award seven times! Call (760) 630-2000 to schedule a FREE consultation with our firm today—we are available 24/7.