Ignition Interlock Device Laws

An Ignition Interlock device is a breathalyzer that is attached to your car. In order to start your vehicle, you must blow into it and establish that your Blood Alcohol Level is below .02% BAC, which is about the level of one drink for most people.

It is an increasingly popular tool for states to use as a penalty in drunk driving/DUI/DWI cases. The DMV will allows a person to continue to drive after a DUI conviction if they install one of these mandated devices.

Currently, most states require an interlock to be used after a second offense drunk driving conviction, or in cases of a "High BAC" offense, when a person is found guilty of driving under the influence of twice the legal limit of alcohol.

Many states are considering new and tougher interlock requirements after any 1st offense DUI conviction. The drunk driving victims advocate lobbying group, MADD, is a strong supporter of this type of law.

A brief state by state summary of ignition interlock device requirements, after how many drunk driving offense convictions, and how long you must keep the device on your car.

AK - New law, 1st offense (starting 1/1/09) IID for 12 months. 24 months for 2nd offense.
AL - No IID law.
AR - 1st offense DUI conviction requires IID.
AZ - 1st offense, for 1 year. (proposed reduction to 6 months)
CA - If over .20 BAC (Pending, all 1st offense for 5 month duration)
CO - Optional 1st offense to reduce license suspension from 9m to 3m. Required 2nd offense or any high BAC (.17%).
CT - At the court's discretion, any offense.
DC - Judge's discretion.
DE - Judge's discretion.
FL - High BAC mandatory As 10/1/08. 1st Offense if over .15 BAC requires 6 months IID.
GA - 2nd Offense within 5 years.
HI - New law passed, implementation in 2010. 1st offense with high BAC, or 2nd offense required.
IA - 1st offense if over .10 BAC or refusal
ID - no law.
IL - 1st offense, as of Jan 1 2009.
IN - Discretionary.
KS - 2nd Offense, for 1 year, or .15 BAC on 1st offense.
KY - Discretionary.
LA - 1st offense
MA - 2nd Offense, at least 2 years
MD - Voluntary interlock to avoid 1 year suspended license.
ME - Passed, repeat offenders. (was Proposed.)
MI - Mandatory for Repeat Offenders, Proposed: 1st offense High BAC (.15+)
MO - 2nd Offense, at least one month (proposed 6 month requirement)
MS - Discretionary
NC - Discretionary
ND - Discretionary
NE - First Offense as of 7/1/08. Device required for 120 days (or 245 days if BAC over 1.5), 2nd offense for 245 days.
NJ - 2nd Offense, for 1-3 years
NM - 1st offense.
NY - 3rd Offense DWI, for 1 year, or judges discretion. Proposed 1st offense pilot program in some counties.
NV - Discretionary.
OH - Proposed, in discussion.
OK - Proposed, 1st Offense
OR - 1st offense required.
PA - 2nd Offense, for 1 year
RI - 2nd Offense, at judges discretion. 3rd offense mandatory.
SC - Required 2nd Offense.
SD - No IID law.
TN - proposed, 1st offense.
TX - 1st offense over .15 or at judges discretion. Required 2nd offense.
UT - 2nd offense. (Law Changed to 1st offense?)
VA - 1st Offense if .15 or Higher BAC (Any first offense DUI starting 10/1/08)
VT - No current law, Proposed for 2009.
WA - On 1st Offense conviction. Proposed for 1st offense charge while awaiting trial.
WI - 2nd Offense. Proposed law for 1st offense .16 BAC or higher.
WV - 1st offense optional interlock device for reduced license suspension, or Required if High BAC over .15

National Interlock Vendors
Consumer Safety Technology (CST)1-877-777-5020
Draeger (800)332-6858
Guardian Interlock (800)499-0994
Lifesafer Interlock (800)987-8040
Sens-O-Lock(888)300-4580
Smart Start (800)880-3394

Local Installers
Georgia
Massachusetts
Michigan
Washington