what’s happening The BAR came in here the other day doing a huge investigation on breathalyzers. They told me they wanted to make sure it was fair for the installers because they felt a lot of breathalyzer companies were Installing lights and sirens on emergency vehicles making up their offers shops a solid revenue stream, but requires work to own prices and tap the market. not respecting the installation rates of shops. They have a Unit. They’ll do a background check on rate they want us to go by, but its fair, it’s your company then they’ll call you, have based on each individual vehicle.” you fill out some more paperwork, give There are around 12 to 15 companies you a small questionnaire, a test, then that deal in breathalyzers in California, they approve you,” Rattu said. “You have Rattu added. Companies vary in the type to have a BAR license (Bureau of Autoof device offered, with some requiring motive Repair) but also BER (Bureau only breathing into the device, while of Electronic Repair) will work, too. others need the driver to huff and puff
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repeatedly. The prices vary as well based on the level of the offense, which may require a more complex device. Some companies have preset labor rates, while others allow dealers to set their own rates. “Intoxalock lets us set our rates. We usually charge like 95 bucks for an install. It’s 95 times two for push-to-start and BMW or Mercedes is 95 times three. Every 60 days, we charge $25 for recalibration,” Rattu explained. “The second company we use, Low Cost Interlock, makes the price, which is $60 for install. Push-tostart is $150. The difference is, when we get to set our price, we make a little bit more money.” Each calibration is done by plugging the breathalyzer into a computer at the shop, which logs all uses of the device by the customer and sends the information to the DMV. Then, the device’s cartridge is refilled with C02 and a dry gas standard of ethanol and nitrogen.