What ISS Stands For and Why It Appears on Your License
ISS stands for "Ignition Interlock System," and it means your state's Department of Motor Vehicles has required you to install a device in your vehicle before you can legally drive. The device prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. ISS appears on your license as a restriction or condition, not as a violation — it is a court-ordered or DMV-ordered requirement tied to your driving record.
Most commonly, ISS is ordered after a DUI or DWI conviction, though some states impose it after a refusal to take a breathalyzer test or after multiple traffic violations involving alcohol. The specific trigger depends on your state's law and the circumstances of your case. The restriction stays on your license for the duration the court or DMV specifies, which typically ranges from six months to three years.
You cannot legally drive without the device installed, even if you own the car outright. Driving without it in place — or tampering with it — is a separate criminal offense in most states and will result in license suspension and additional penalties.
Key Takeaways
- ISS on your license means you must have an ignition interlock device installed in any vehicle you drive, or you cannot legally operate that vehicle.
- The device is usually ordered by a court following a DUI conviction, a breathalyzer refusal, or in some states, multiple alcohol-related traffic violations.
- You pay for the device installation and monthly monitoring fees yourself, typically ranging from $60 to $150 per month depending on your state and provider.
- Removing the device, tampering with it, or driving a vehicle without it installed while ISS is on your license is a criminal offense separate from the original charge.
- The restriction remains on your license for the full period ordered by the court, and you cannot remove it early without a court order or DMV petition.
How the Ignition Interlock Device Works
The device is a small breathalyzer unit wired to your vehicle's ignition system. Before the engine will start, you blow into the device. If it detects no alcohol or alcohol below the legal threshold set by your state (usually 0.02 percent), the car starts normally. If it detects alcohol above that level, the ignition locks and the car will not start.
The device also requires rolling retests while you are driving — typically every 5 to 15 minutes — to may support you have not consumed alcohol since starting the vehicle. If you fail a rolling retest, the device logs the violation, sounds an alarm, and may flash the lights or honk the horn until you pull over and turn off the engine. These violations are reported to the monitoring company and may be reviewed by the court or DMV.
Every 30 days, you must bring your vehicle to a certified service center so the device can be downloaded and inspected. The service center checks the data log for any failed tests, tampering attempts, or missed rolling retests. This report is sent to the court or DMV, and repeated violations can extend your ISS period or result in license suspension.
Who Installs and Monitors the Device
Your state's DMV maintains a list of certified ignition interlock providers — companies licensed to install and monitor the devices. You do not get to choose whether to have one; you must have one. But you usually do get to choose which certified provider installs it, as long as that provider serves your area.
Common national providers include SCRAM Systems, Draeger, Guardian Interlock, and Alcohol Monitoring Systems, though regional and state-specific providers also operate. When you contact a provider, they will schedule an installation appointment, typically within a few days. The installation itself takes 30 minutes to an hour and is done at their service center or sometimes at your home or workplace.
The provider bills you directly for installation (usually $100 to $300) and monthly monitoring and calibration fees (usually $60 to $150 per month). Some providers offer payment plans. You are responsible for these costs; they are not covered by the court or the state.
Steps to Take After ISS Appears on Your License
First, confirm the reason ISS was added. Check your court documents, your DMV record online, or contact your local DMV office directly. You need to know the exact offense, the date the restriction began, and the date it is scheduled to end. If you were not notified by mail or email, contact the court that handled your case.
Second, obtain a list of certified providers in your state. Your DMV website will have this list, or you can call your local DMV office and ask for it. Do not use an uncertified provider — the device will not be recognized by the court or DMV, and you will still be in violation of the ISS requirement.
Third, contact at least two providers and compare their installation fees, monthly costs, and service center locations. Ask whether they offer payment plans or discounts for upfront payment. Schedule your installation as soon as possible; driving without the device installed while ISS is on your license is illegal.
Fourth, bring proof of installation to your DMV appointment or submit it by mail, depending on your state's process. Some states require you to visit the DMV in person to have the ISS restriction formally noted; others update it automatically once the provider notifies them. Confirm with your DMV which step applies to you.
What Happens If You Violate the ISS Requirement
Driving without the device installed is a criminal offense. Penalties vary by state but typically include fines of $500 to $1,000, jail time of up to 30 days, and automatic license suspension for six months to one year. Your ISS period may also be extended by the court.
Tampering with the device — disconnecting it, bypassing it, or attempting to disable it — carries the same or harsher penalties. The device logs any tampering attempt, and the data is reviewed at your next monitoring appointment. The provider reports it to the court or DMV when ready.
Failing rolling retests repeatedly does not automatically result in criminal charges, but it does extend your ISS period. If you accumulate too many violations, the court may revoke your license entirely or order you to repeat the ISS program for an additional term.
How to Remove ISS From Your License
ISS cannot be removed before the court-ordered end date without a separate petition to the court. Some states allow you to petition the court after you have completed half the required period without violations, but this is not automatic and is not available in all states. Check your state's DMV website or ask your attorney whether early removal is possible in your jurisdiction.
On or after the end date specified by the court, contact your certified provider and ask them to notify the DMV that your ISS period has been completed. The provider will submit a final report and removal request. The DMV will then remove the ISS restriction from your license, usually within one to two weeks.
You are responsible for confirming that the restriction has been removed. Check your DMV record online or call your local office to verify. Do not assume it has been removed automatically — if it remains on your license after the end date and you drive without the device, you are still in violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive someone else's car if I have ISS on my license?
No. ISS is a restriction on you as a driver, not on a specific vehicle. You cannot legally operate any vehicle without an ignition interlock device installed, regardless of who owns it. If you drive someone else's car without the device, you are breaking the law.
What if I cannot afford the monthly fees for the device?
Contact your provider and ask about payment plans or hardship programs. Some providers offer reduced fees for low-income drivers or allow you to pay in installments. You can also ask the court that ordered ISS whether it will reduce or waive fees based on financial hardship, though courts rarely do this. You remain legally required to maintain the device regardless of cost.
Does ISS stay on my license if I move to another state?
Yes. Your ISS restriction follows your license through the interstate compact system. If you move, you must install a device in your new state and notify your original state's DMV of your new address. Some states have reciprocal agreements that recognize ISS orders from other states; others require you to re-register with a new provider in your new state. Contact both your original DMV and your new state's DMV to confirm the process.
What if the device malfunctions or gives a false positive?
Contact your provider when ready and request a calibration check or device replacement. Malfunctions are documented, and if the provider confirms the device was faulty, that violation may not be held against you. However, you are still required to have a working device installed. Do not drive without one while waiting for a replacement, even if the original device was defective.
Can I get ISS removed if I was wrongly convicted or if my case was dismissed?
Yes, but you need a court order. If your conviction was overturned, your case was dismissed, or you received a pardon, file a motion with the court that originally ordered ISS and request removal of the restriction. Bring a copy of the dismissal or reversal order. Once the court issues a new order, your provider and DMV will remove the restriction from your license.