Implementation of an anti-ignition breathalyzer (EAD) by judicial decision

Verified 25 September 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

You were ordered by a judge to drive only vehicles equipped with a Breathalyzer Immobilizer (EAD) and you wonder how to find your license without restriction? We present you the information to know.

The judge may prohibit you from driving a vehicle that is not equipped with a EAD: titleContent when you have committed a drinking and driving offense, one road homicide or road injuries. The judge may take this decision at several stages of the judicial procedure (alternative to imprisonment, additional penalty, judicial review, probationary staysentencing, parole, etc.)

One public prosecutor may also propose this measure as an alternative to prosecution (criminal composition).

You must surrender your driver's license the registrar responsible for enforcing the judge's decision or the person designated by the public prosecutor. If the prefecture holds your driver's license, you must provide proof.

You are given a certificate in exchange for your driving license. This certificate indicates that you are prohibited from driving a vehicle without an EAD. If you are at the same time sanctioned by a cancelation or a suspension of your license, the certificate is given to you after the cancelation or suspension has been executed.

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Crédits: Direction de l’information légale et administrative

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The alcohol interlock test is used in 2 steps:

1/Before starting the engine, a 1er breath is requested

  • If the alcohol level exceeds the set limit, the device prevents starting.
  • If the alcohol content does not exceed the set limit, the device allows the start.

2/5 to 30 minutes after starting, a signal is sent so that a 2e breath be realized.

The driver has 20 minutes to breathe again. It must blow vehicle and engine stopped. If it does not blow, the EAD emits a new signal.

  • If the 2d The blast is not achieved, the EAD prevents the engine from restarting as soon as it is stopped for more than 10 seconds. The vehicle cannot restart without towing to the workshop of an approved installer.
  • If the 2d The blast is produced and the alcohol content exceeds the fixed limit, the device prevents starting.
  • If the 2d The blast is made and the alcohol content does not exceed the fixed limit, the device allows the start. No other request for breathing will be made unless stopping for more than 2 minutes.

The 2d The blast makes it possible, in particular, to check again that the level of alcohol is always below the limit set and, therefore, that the driver was not in the ascending phase of alcohol concentration or that a person had not blown in his place before letting him take the road alone.

The maximum level of alcohol allowed when driving a vehicle equipped with a Breathalyzer Immobilizer (EAD)) is 0.10 mg of alcohol per liter of breath.

Installation

Breathalyzer Immobilizer (EAD) is a approved device which must be set up by a approved installer.

An online service allows you to find an authorized installer. The updated list is also available on the prefectural website.

Find an Authorized Immobilizer (EAD) Installer

You must have the EAD checked at least once a year by an approved installer. When the verifications are satisfactory, the verifier will mark the EAD with a verification mark and issue you with a periodic verification certificate. Otherwise, you must have the EAD brought into compliance.

Cost

The costs of installation and operation of the EAD are at your expense.

You can buy or rent the EAD. It costs about €1,300 at the time of purchase or €100 per month for rent. The price of assembly and disassembly in the vehicle must be added.

THEEAD: titleContent on the decision of the judge has a maximum duration of 5 years.

THEEAD: titleContent by decision of the public prosecutor, in the context of a penal composition, has a duration between 6 months and 3 years.

If the judge, in addition to the prohibition to drive vehicles not equipped with an EAD, has pronounced the cancelation or the suspension of your driver's license, the driving ban without EAD applies at the end of the cancelation or suspension period.

However, in case of cancelation of the license, if you get a new driving license more than 3 years after the cancelation of your license, the prohibition on driving a vehicle not equipped with an EAD shall not apply.

In the event of a roadside inspection, you must submit the following documents:

  • Document attesting to your right to drive a vehicle equipped with a EAD: titleContent
  • Documents attesting that the vehicle is equipped with an EAD and that its operation has been verified.

Failure to comply with the judge's decision prohibiting the driving of vehicles not equipped with EAD: titleContent is punished by a prison sentence of up to 2 years and one fine up to €4,500.

You also risk additional penalties following:

  • Prohibition to drive certain vehicles, including vehicles without a license, for a maximum period of 5 years
  • Cancelation of the permit and prohibition to apply for a new permit for a maximum of 3 years
  • Sentence of community service.

In case of recurrence, your vehicle may be confiscated.

You can get your driver's license back only if they are found fit to drive following a medical examination.

You can pass this medical examination before the end of the driving ban period without EAD.

You must make an appointment with the medical commission on the website of your prefecture. It can also be, by decision of the prefect, the medical commission of the department where you committed the offense.

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