Yes, Maine can suspend your reinstated license if you violate interlock device requirements
Once the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles reinstates your license after a suspension, that reinstatement is not permanent protection. If you violate the terms of your interlock requirement during the monitoring period — which typically lasts 12 months for a first offense — the BMV can suspend your license again. This second suspension is separate from the original one and can happen even after you have already paid reinstatement fees and completed the waiting period.
The interlock device is a condition of reinstatement, not something you can ignore once your license is back in your wallet. Maine treats violations of interlock rules the same way it treats new driving violations: they trigger another suspension. Understanding what counts as a violation and how quickly the BMV acts will help you keep your reinstated license active.
Key Takeaways
- Maine can suspend a reinstated license if you fail an interlock breath test, tamper with the device, or miss a required service appointment during your monitoring period.
- The BMV receives interlock violation reports directly from the device manufacturer, so violations are reported automatically — you do not have to be caught by police.
- A second suspension for interlock violations requires you to wait another period before requesting reinstatement and may cost additional reinstatement fees.
- Some interlock violations result in when ready suspension, while others may trigger a warning first depending on the type and severity of the violation.
What counts as an interlock violation in Maine
Maine law defines interlock violations in several ways. A failed breath test — blowing a result above the legal limit — is the most obvious violation. But violations also include refusing to take a test when the device prompts you, tampering with or attempting to disable the device, missing a required service appointment, or allowing someone else to blow into the device for you.
Less obvious violations include driving a vehicle without the interlock device installed (if you own multiple vehicles, each one you drive must have one), or driving a vehicle that belongs to someone else who does not have an interlock installed. The device also records data about your driving patterns, and repeated failed attempts to start your vehicle can flag your account for review.
The interlock manufacturer — typically Draeger, SmartStart, or LifeSafer in Maine — monitors all of this data and reports violations to the BMV automatically. You do not need to be pulled over by police for the BMV to know about a violation. The report goes directly from the device to the state, usually within days.
How the BMV responds to interlock violations
When the BMV receives a violation report, the response depends on the type and severity of the violation. A single failed breath test may result in a warning letter, especially if it is your first violation. Multiple failed tests, tampering, or missing a service appointment typically triggers an when ready suspension without a warning period.
The BMV will mail you a suspension notice at the address on file. This notice explains which violation caused the suspension and tells you the length of the new suspension period. You cannot drive legally during this time, even though your license was already reinstated. If you are caught driving on a suspended license, you face criminal charges separate from the interlock violation itself.
After the suspension period ends — usually 30 to 90 days depending on the violation — you can request reinstatement again. This means paying another reinstatement fee (currently $100 in Maine, though this amount can change), and the interlock monitoring period restarts from zero. If you had already completed most of your original 12-month monitoring period, a violation can set you back to the beginning.
Service appointments and device maintenance violations
Maine requires you to bring your vehicle to an interlock service center every 30 days for device calibration and data read. Missing this appointment is treated as a violation, even if you have not driven the vehicle or failed any breath tests. The service center reports the missed appointment to the BMV, and the BMV can suspend your license within days.
If you know you will miss an appointment due to illness, travel, or vehicle problems, contact your interlock provider before the appointment date. Some providers can grant a brief extension or allow you to visit a different service location. Waiting until after you miss the appointment to explain why does not prevent the violation report from reaching the BMV.
Keep a calendar reminder for your service appointment date. Many interlock providers send text or email reminders, but these can go to spam or be missed. The 30-day window is strict, and the BMV does not consider inconvenience a valid reason to overlook a missed appointment.
Tampering and device removal violations
Tampering with the interlock device — attempting to disable it, bypass it, or remove it from your vehicle — is treated as a serious violation. This includes having someone else blow into the device so you can start the car, or trying to start the vehicle with the device unplugged. The device records these attempts, and the manufacturer reports them when ready.
Tampering violations almost always result in when ready suspension with no warning. The BMV views tampering as evidence that you are not complying with the terms of your reinstatement, and the suspension can be longer than a standard violation suspension. You may also face criminal charges for tampering, separate from the administrative suspension.
If your interlock device malfunctions and you need to have it serviced or replaced, contact your provider and the BMV before you drive without it. Driving without a functioning device is a violation, but driving without a device you never had installed is different from removing one that was working. Document any mechanical problems in writing with your provider so you have a record if questions arise.
What to do if your reinstated license is suspended again
If you receive a suspension notice for an interlock violation, do not ignore it. Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in Maine, and the penalties increase with each violation. Stop driving when ready and contact the BMV to confirm the suspension details and the length of the suspension period.
Once the suspension period ends, you can request reinstatement by mail or in person at a BMV office. You will need to pay the reinstatement fee again and may be required to provide proof that you have resolved the underlying issue — for example, proof of a successful service appointment if you were suspended for missing one.
Consider whether you need to make changes to avoid another violation. If you missed service appointments because of work or transportation issues, plan a different schedule. If you failed breath tests, think about whether you need additional support or treatment. The interlock period is designed to monitor your driving, and repeated violations suggest the monitoring is revealing a pattern the BMV needs to address.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the interlock device before my 12 months are up?
No. Removing the device before the monitoring period ends is a violation that will result in suspension. The 12-month period is set by Maine law based on your original offense, and you must complete the full period with the device installed and functioning. Early removal is not an option.
What if I fail one breath test but pass all the others?
A single failed test may result in a warning letter rather than when ready suspension, especially if it is your first violation. However, multiple failed tests or a pattern of failed tests will trigger suspension. The BMV looks at the overall record, not just one incident.
Do I have to pay for the interlock device itself, or just the service appointments?
You pay for both. The device installation and monthly monitoring fees are your responsibility, not the state's. Costs vary by provider but typically range from $60 to $100 per month. These costs continue for the full monitoring period, and missing payments can also result in violations.
If I get suspended again, do I have to start a new 12-month interlock period?
Yes. A suspension for an interlock violation resets your monitoring period. If you had completed 10 months of your original 12-month requirement, a violation suspension puts you back at zero. You will need to complete another full 12 months with the device before you can have it removed.
Can I drive someone else's car if it does not have an interlock?
No. During your interlock monitoring period, you can only drive vehicles with an installed, functioning interlock device. Driving any other vehicle — whether it belongs to a family member, friend, or employer — is a violation. If you need to drive multiple vehicles, each one must have its own device.