An ISS code on your driver's license means the state has suspended your driving privileges
ISS stands for "Ignition Interlock System" — a device that prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. When ISS appears on your license, it means you are required by law to have this device installed in any vehicle you drive. The suspension itself is separate from the device requirement; ISS is the condition under which you are allowed to drive at all.
Most commonly, an ISS requirement follows a DUI (driving under the influence) conviction or arrest. The state issues this as a middle ground: you lose unrestricted driving, but you can still drive to work, school, or medical appointments if you install and maintain the interlock device. The length of time you must use it depends on your state's laws and the specifics of your case — typically one to three years for a first offense.
The device itself costs money to install and maintain, and you pay those costs. You also cannot drive anyone else's car unless that car has an interlock device installed. If you are caught driving without one when ISS is on your license, you face additional criminal charges and a longer suspension.
Key Takeaways
- ISS on your license means you must have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle before you can legally drive.
- The device prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol in your system, and you pay for installation and monthly maintenance.
- You cannot drive any vehicle that does not have an interlock device installed while ISS is active on your license.
- The length of the ISS requirement varies by state and by the details of your case, but typically lasts one to three years.
- Violating an ISS requirement by driving without the device results in additional criminal charges and an extended suspension.
How the interlock device works
An ignition interlock device is a breathalyzer connected to your car's ignition system. Before the engine will start, you blow into the device. If it detects no alcohol or alcohol below the legal threshold, the car starts normally. If it detects alcohol above that threshold, the engine will not turn over.
The device also requires rolling retests — random breath tests while you are driving — to may support you have not consumed alcohol since you started the car. If you fail a rolling retest, the device logs the violation and may honk the horn or flash the lights to alert you. You must pull over safely, but the car will not shut off while moving.
Every month or so, you visit a service center to have the device checked and its data downloaded. The state reviews this data to see whether you have passed all tests. Repeated failures or tampering with the device can result in license revocation and criminal charges.
How long ISS stays on your license
The duration depends on your state and your specific case. Most states require ISS for a minimum of one year for a first DUI offense, though some require two or three years. If you have prior DUI convictions, the requirement is typically longer.
You do not automatically lose the ISS requirement after the time period ends. You must request removal from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency, and you must provide proof that the device has been removed from your vehicle. Some states require a clean record during the ISS period — meaning no failed breath tests and no violations — before they will remove the code.
If you move to a different state while ISS is active on your license, the new state generally honors the requirement. You will need to install an interlock device in your new state as well, and the requirement will continue until your original state removes it or until you complete the full term, whichever is longer.
The cost of maintaining an interlock device
Installation typically costs between $100 and $300, depending on your vehicle and your location. Monthly monitoring and maintenance fees range from $50 to $100 per month. Over a two-year requirement, the total cost can reach $1,500 to $2,700 or more.
Some states or counties offer reduced fees for people with low income, but you usually must request this and provide proof of income. A few public defender offices or legal aid organizations can point you toward these programs, though availability varies widely.
You are responsible for paying these costs out of pocket. They are not covered by insurance, and they are separate from any fines or court costs related to your DUI case.
What happens if you drive without the device
Driving a vehicle without an interlock device while ISS is on your license is a criminal offense in every state. You face charges for violating the terms of your suspension, which can result in jail time, additional fines, and a longer suspension period.
Police can check your license status during any traffic stop. If they see ISS and you cannot show proof that your vehicle has the device installed, they can arrest you on the spot. Even if you are not stopped, the state tracks interlock installations, and if your name appears on an ISS list without a corresponding device registration, you can be charged.
A violation also resets your clock. If you were halfway through a two-year requirement and you are caught driving without the device, your state may add another full year or more to your suspension period.
Removing ISS from your license
To remove ISS, you must contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles or the court that issued the requirement. You will need to provide proof that the device has been physically removed from your vehicle — usually a letter from the service center confirming removal and the final data report showing your compliance record.
Some states require you to pay a reinstatement fee, which ranges from $50 to $200. You may also need to pass a written test or pay for a new license if your current one has expired.
If you did not maintain a clean record during the ISS period — meaning you failed breath tests or missed monitoring appointments — the state may deny your removal request and extend the requirement. You can usually request reconsideration after a set period, often six months to a year.
ISS and your driving record
ISS appears on your driving record and is visible to insurance companies, employers who check driving records, and law enforcement. It does not automatically disappear from your record after the ISS requirement ends; it remains as a historical notation of your suspension.
Having ISS on your record will increase your car insurance rates significantly — often by 50 to 100 percent or more. Some insurers will not cover you at all while ISS is active. After the requirement ends and ISS is removed from your license, your rates will gradually decrease, but the DUI conviction itself will stay on your record for years (typically 7 to 10 years, depending on your state).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive someone else's car if they have an interlock device installed?
Yes, but only if the device is already installed in that specific vehicle. You cannot drive any car without an interlock while ISS is on your license, even if the owner gives you permission. The device must be registered to that vehicle and that vehicle only.
What if I cannot afford the interlock device?
Contact your local legal aid office or public defender to ask about reduced-fee programs in your area. Some states have hardship waivers or payment plans. You can also ask the court that issued your ISS requirement whether financial information is available. However, inability to pay does not remove the requirement — you must still find a way to install the device to drive legally.
Does ISS go away if I move to another state?
No. Most states have reciprocal agreements that honor ISS requirements from other states. You will need to install an interlock device in your new state and maintain it for the remainder of your requirement period. The requirement follows your license, not your location.
Can I get the ISS requirement removed early?
Some states allow early removal if you maintain a perfect compliance record for a set period — often six months to a year with no failed tests. You must request this formally through your DMV or the court. Early removal is not automatic and is not may provide; it depends on your state's laws and the judge's discretion in your case.
Will ISS show up on a background check for a job?
ISS itself may not appear on a standard background check, but the underlying DUI conviction will. Employers who run driving record checks will see ISS on your license. Some employers, particularly those in transportation or positions requiring a clean driving record, may not hire you while ISS is active.