Interlock
Ignition interlock device: the cost, the rules and how long
You were ordered to install an ignition interlock, and the cost and length depend on your state. In Pennsylvania the lease runs about $1,200 a year, and the device must stay for one year.
Call free, any hour, and a DUI defense lawyer for your state reviews your interlock order.
What it costs
You lease the device from a state-approved vendor. PennDOT estimates about $1,000 per system and about $1,200 to lease one for a year (PennDOT). Massachusetts charges a $30 monthly fee on top, collected by the vendor (Massachusetts RMV).
So a one-year order costs about $1,200 before any fine, and it is paid by you, not the state. Ask the lawyer whether your BAC band or offense level can shorten the order.
Who has to have one
Arizona requires an interlock on every DUI, first offense included (Arizona DPS). Florida requires one for up to six months at a BAL of .15. Michigan requires it at .17 or higher before a restricted license. Every state page here lists its rule.
How long
The length depends on the state and the offense. Pennsylvania sets one year. New Jersey sets 3 months for the lowest first-offense band and longer above it. Massachusetts sets at least two years for multiple offenders.
Violations
A failed start, a missed service visit or tampering counts as a violation. In Massachusetts, two failed start-up tests in a service period put the car in lockout, and too many missed visits can bring a 10-year suspension. NHTSA rates interlocks among the most effective tools against repeat drunk driving (NHTSA).
Questions people ask
How much does an ignition interlock device cost?
PennDOT puts the lease at about $1,200 a year, and Massachusetts adds a $30 monthly program fee. You pay the costs yourself in most states.
Do I need an interlock for a first DUI?
In some states, yes. Arizona requires one on a first offense, and New Jersey requires one before your license comes back. Other states require it only at a high BAC or on a second offense.
What happens if I fail the interlock test?
The car will not start. In Massachusetts, two failed start-up tests in one service period lock the car, and you then have 48 hours to get it to the service provider.
Can someone else drive my car with an interlock?
Yes, but they must blow into it too. Every start needs a clean breath sample.
Read next: A second DUI · What a DUI costs · DUI penalties by state
What to do now
You face an ignition interlock order, and your license case moves before your court date. The order decides how long a breath test sits in your car and what you pay each month. Call now for a free case review, and a lawyer can file your license hearing request before the deadline.
Call about my interlock (877) 317-9931
Call free, any hour, and a DUI defense lawyer for your state reviews your interlock order.
Send your case details
Send your state, your BAC reading, whether this is a first offense, and the date on your license notice. With those details in hand, the lawyer can start on your interlock order the moment you talk.