What a Smart Start interlock device does
A Smart Start interlock device is a breath-testing machine installed in your vehicle's dashboard that measures your blood alcohol content before the engine will start. If the device detects alcohol above a set limit — usually 0.02% — the engine will not turn over. The device does not prevent you from driving; it prevents the car from starting if alcohol is present in your breath.
Smart Start is one company among several that manufactures and services these devices. Other providers include Draeger, Guardian, and Intoxalock. Your state's court or licensing authority decides whether you need an interlock device, but does not usually specify which company you must use — you typically choose from approved vendors in your area.
The device is about the size of a car radio and connects to your vehicle's ignition system. You blow into a tube, the machine analyzes your breath, and displays a result on a small screen. The whole process takes less than a minute. The device records every test and sends that data to Smart Start or your chosen provider, who reports it to the court or your state's licensing agency.
Key Takeaways
- Smart Start devices measure your breath alcohol and prevent engine start if alcohol is detected, but you choose when to test and drive.
- Installation typically costs $50 to $150, and monthly monitoring fees range from $50 to $100 depending on your location and the provider's pricing.
- You will need to provide a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, and vehicle information at installation; the technician will explain calibration and rolling retests.
- The device records all tests and sends data to your monitoring agency monthly, which is used to track compliance with court orders.
- Removing the device yourself, tampering with it, or failing tests can result in license suspension, fines, or jail time depending on your state's laws.
Installation, costs, and what you bring
Installation appointments are scheduled through Smart Start's website or by phone. You will need to bring a valid driver's license, proof of vehicle insurance, and your vehicle keys. The technician will also ask for your vehicle's make, model, year, and VIN. The installation itself takes 30 to 60 minutes.
Installation fees vary by location but typically range from $50 to $150. Monthly monitoring fees — the cost to keep the device serviced and your data reported — usually run $50 to $100 per month, though some states or counties subsidize part of this cost for low-income drivers. Removal fees when your interlock period ends are typically $50 to $100. Ask the technician for a full fee schedule before you leave the appointment, because costs differ between Smart Start locations and between Smart Start and other providers.
Some states allow you to request a fee reduction if you cannot afford the full amount. Contact your local Smart Start office or ask the court that ordered the device whether a hardship waiver is available in your jurisdiction.
How the breath test works and rolling retests
When you start your vehicle, the device prompts you to blow into the tube. You exhale steadily for about five seconds until the machine beeps. The screen displays your breath alcohol result in seconds. If the reading is below the legal limit, the engine starts normally. If it is above the limit, the engine will not start and the device logs a failed test.
After the engine is running, the device may ask for a rolling retest — another breath sample while you are driving. This happens at random intervals, usually every 30 to 60 minutes, to may support you have not consumed alcohol after starting the vehicle. You have a set amount of time (usually five to ten minutes) to pull over safely and provide the sample. If you do not test within that window, the device logs a violation and may honk the horn or flash the lights to alert you.
The device does not shut off your engine if you fail a rolling retest, but it records the failure. Repeated failed tests or missed tests can trigger a license suspension or require you to appear in court, depending on your state's rules and the terms of your interlock order.
Data reporting and what your monitoring agency sees
Smart Start collects data from your device and transmits it to your state's licensing agency or the court that ordered the interlock, usually on a monthly basis. The report includes every test you took, the date and time, whether you passed or failed, and any attempts to tamper with or bypass the device.
Your monitoring agency reviews this report to confirm you are complying with the interlock order. A clean report — all tests passed, no missed tests, no tampering — supports your case if you petition to remove the device early or to restore your full driving privileges. A report with failures or violations may result in an extension of your interlock period, fines, or a court appearance.
You can request a copy of your own data report from Smart Start at any time. Some people do this monthly to track their own compliance or to prepare for a court hearing.
What happens if you fail a test or miss a retest
A single failed breath test does not automatically result in legal consequences, but it is recorded and reported. However, a pattern of failed tests — usually defined as multiple failures within a month — can trigger a violation notice to the court or licensing agency.
If you miss a rolling retest, the device logs it as a violation. Repeated missed retests suggest you are not taking the device seriously or are trying to avoid testing. Your state's rules determine whether one missed retest is a violation or whether a threshold (such as three in a month) triggers action.
Consequences for violations vary by state but may include an extension of your interlock period, a fine, a requirement to attend a substance abuse program, or a court hearing. In some cases, violations can result in a license suspension or jail time. Your interlock order paperwork should specify what violations mean in your jurisdiction.
Tampering, removal, and what is not allowed
Tampering with the device — disconnecting it, trying to bypass it, having someone else blow into it, or using a tube or mask to alter your breath sample — is a crime in all states. The device is designed to detect these attempts and logs them automatically. Tampering charges can result in fines of $500 to $1,000 or more, jail time, and an automatic license suspension.
You cannot remove the device yourself. Only an authorized technician from your provider can remove it, and only after your interlock period has ended or a court has ordered its removal. Removing it early or attempting to remove it yourself is a separate criminal offense.
Driving a vehicle without an interlock device when one has been court-ordered is driving with a suspended license, which carries its own penalties including fines and possible jail time.
How long you will have the device and early removal options
The length of your interlock period is set by the court or your state's licensing agency at the time of sentencing or license suspension. Typical periods range from six months to three years, depending on whether this is a first offense, a repeat offense, or whether there were aggravating factors such as a crash or a very high blood alcohol reading.
Some states allow you to petition for early removal after you have completed a portion of your interlock period — often one-third to one-half — if your data report shows a clean compliance record. You will need to file a petition with the court or submit a request to your licensing agency, and you may need to attend a hearing. Early removal is not automatic; the judge or licensing official reviews your report and decides whether to grant it.
Other states do not allow early removal under any circumstances. Check your interlock order or contact the court that issued it to learn whether early removal is an option in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive someone else's car instead of using my vehicle with the interlock?
No. Your interlock order applies to you as a driver, not to a specific vehicle. If you drive any vehicle, that vehicle must have an interlock device installed. Driving a vehicle without the required device is a violation and can result in additional criminal charges, fines, and license suspension.
What if I have a medical condition that affects my breath test results?
Certain medical conditions, medications, and foods can produce false positives on breath tests. If you believe a medical issue is causing failed tests, inform Smart Start and your monitoring agency in writing and request a calibration check or a retest using a different method. Some jurisdictions allow blood or urine tests as an alternative. Document your medical condition with a letter from your doctor.
Can I get the device removed if I move to another state?
No. Your interlock order is issued by your home state and remains in effect regardless of where you move. You must continue to comply with the order in your new state. If you move, contact your original licensing agency or the court that issued the order to learn how to transfer your monitoring to a provider in your new location.
What if the device malfunctions or gives an error message?
Contact Smart Start when ready and schedule a service appointment. Malfunctions are recorded by the device, and Smart Start can see them in your data. A documented malfunction is not counted as a violation. Do not attempt to repair or adjust the device yourself.
Will the interlock device affect my car's engine or warranty?
The device is wired to your ignition system but does not alter your engine or its operation. It should not void your vehicle's warranty. However, some dealerships may charge a fee to service your vehicle with an interlock installed because the technician must work around the device. Ask your dealership about their policy before scheduling service.