How to get an ignition interlock device in Pennsylvania
If your license is suspended in Pennsylvania, an ignition interlock device (IID) may let you drive to work, school, or medical appointments during the suspension period — but only if the court or Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has ordered one as part of your sentence or suspension terms. You cannot straightforward request one on your own. The device measures your breath alcohol before the engine will start, and you pay for installation, monthly monitoring, and removal out of pocket.
The first step is to find out whether an IID is actually part of your case. If you were convicted of a DUI or received a suspension related to alcohol or drugs, check your court paperwork or call the court that handled your case to confirm whether an IID is required or permitted. If it is, PennDOT will tell you which certified vendors in your area can install it. You then contact a vendor, schedule installation, and provide proof of installation back to the court or PennDOT — the exact process depends on whether the order came from a judge or from PennDOT's administrative suspension.
Key Takeaways
- An ignition interlock device is only available if a court or PennDOT has ordered it as part of your suspension or sentence; you cannot request one independently.
- Check your court documents or call the sentencing court to confirm whether an IID is required or permitted in your case.
- PennDOT maintains a list of certified vendors who can install devices, and you must use one of those vendors.
- You are responsible for paying all costs: installation (typically $100–$200), monthly monitoring fees (typically $60–$100), and removal.
- After installation, you must report proof of installation to the court or PennDOT within the timeframe they specify, usually within 10 days.
Understanding when an IID is ordered in Pennsylvania
An ignition interlock device is not automatic. It is ordered only in specific situations. If you were convicted of DUI (driving under the influence), the judge may order an IID as part of your sentence. If you refused a breath or blood test during a DUI arrest, PennDOT may impose an administrative suspension and can require an IID as a condition of getting a limited license during that suspension.
Some suspensions — such as those for accumulating too many points or for other traffic violations — do not involve an IID. The only way to know for certain is to review the paperwork from your case or contact the court directly. If you were sentenced in district court (the lower court), call that court's criminal division. If you were sentenced in county court, call that court. Have your case number ready.
Finding your case information and court order
Your court order is the document that tells you whether an IID is required, when it must be installed, and what happens if you do not comply. If you have the paperwork from your sentencing or suspension notice, look for language that says "ignition interlock" or "IID." The order will specify a important date — usually 10 to 30 days after sentencing — by which you must have the device installed.
If you cannot find your paperwork, call the court that handled your case. You can also search for your case online through the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System (UJS) website at ujsportal.pacourts.us. Enter your name and the county where you were charged. Once you find your case, you can view documents and see whether an IID is part of your sentence.
Locating a PennDOT-certified vendor
You must install your device through a vendor certified by PennDOT. You cannot use an uncertified installer. PennDOT publishes a list of certified vendors on its website at www.dot.pa.gov. Search for "ignition interlock" or look under the DUI section. The list is organized by county and includes the vendor's name, phone number, and address.
Call the vendor in your area and schedule an appointment. Installation typically takes 30 minutes to an hour. Bring your driver's license and proof of your court order or suspension notice. The vendor will install the device, explain how to use it, and give you a receipt showing the installation date. Keep this receipt — you will need it to prove to the court or PennDOT that you complied with the order.
What happens during installation and monthly monitoring
When you arrive at the vendor, the technician will install the device in your vehicle's dashboard or steering column. The device is connected to your ignition system. Before you can start your car, you blow into the device. If your breath alcohol level is below the legal threshold (usually 0.02 percent), the engine starts. If it is above that level, the engine will not start and the device records the failed attempt.
After installation, you must visit the vendor monthly for monitoring. During each visit, the technician downloads data from the device to check for any failed breath tests, tampering, or missed appointments. This data is reported to the court or PennDOT. If you fail a breath test or miss a monitoring appointment, the court or PennDOT may extend your suspension or impose other penalties.
Monthly monitoring fees vary by vendor but typically range from $60 to $100. Installation costs are usually $100 to $200. You pay these costs directly to the vendor — they are not covered by any government program. Budget for these expenses before you schedule installation.
Reporting installation to the court or PennDOT
After the device is installed, you must prove it to the authority that ordered it. If a judge ordered the IID, send a copy of your installation receipt to the court within the important date specified in your sentence (usually 10 days). Include a cover letter with your name, case number, and the date of installation. Mail it to the criminal division of the court that sentenced you.
If PennDOT imposed an administrative suspension and ordered the IID, send your installation receipt to PennDOT's Bureau of Driver Licensing. The address is on your suspension notice. Again, include your name, driver's license number, and case or suspension number.
Keep a copy of your receipt and any confirmation letters for your records. If the court or PennDOT does not acknowledge receipt within two weeks, call to confirm they have it. Failure to report installation on time can result in additional penalties or an extended suspension.
Driving with an interlock device
Once the device is installed, you can drive during your suspension period, but only within the limits set by your court order or suspension notice. Most orders allow driving to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs like DUI classes. You cannot use the device to drive for pleasure or to any location outside those permitted purposes.
Every time you start your car, you must provide a breath sample. The device may also require random breath samples while you are driving — if this happens, you have a few minutes to pull over safely and provide a sample. If you cannot provide a sample or if the sample shows alcohol, the device will log the violation and may honk the horn or flash the lights to alert you.
Do not attempt to tamper with, bypass, or disable the device. Tampering is a separate criminal offense in Pennsylvania and will result in additional charges. If you have questions about how to use the device, ask the vendor during installation or call them before your next monitoring appointment.
Removing the device and ending the requirement
The length of time you must use the device depends on your sentence or suspension terms. Some orders require the device for 6 months; others require it for a year or longer. Your court order or suspension notice will specify the end date or the conditions under which the device can be removed.
When the required period ends, contact your vendor and schedule a removal appointment. The technician will uninstall the device and provide a removal receipt. Send this receipt to the court or PennDOT to confirm that you have complied with the entire requirement. Only after they receive proof of removal can you explore to have your license reinstated (if it is still suspended) or fully restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I cannot afford the installation and monthly fees?
PennDOT and the courts do not waive or reduce IID costs. However, some vendors offer payment plans. Call vendors in your area and ask whether they allow you to pay installation in installments or spread monthly fees over time. Some nonprofits that information people with DUI-related costs may also help — contact your local legal aid office or DUI support organization.
Can I use someone else's car if I have an interlock device?
No. The device is installed in your vehicle only. If you drive someone else's car, you are violating the terms of your order, and the court or PennDOT can extend your suspension or file additional charges. You must drive only the vehicle in which the device is installed.
What happens if I fail a breath test while driving?
The device records the failure and reports it during your next monitoring appointment. One or two failures may not result in when ready penalties, but repeated failures can lead to an extended suspension, additional fines, or other court-ordered consequences. Avoid driving after consuming any alcohol.
Do I need to tell my insurance company about the interlock device?
Yes. Contact your insurance company and inform them that you have an IID installed. Some insurers may adjust your rates or require notification for policy purposes. Failing to disclose the device could affect your coverage if you are in an accident.
What if I move to another state while the device is required?
Contact the court or PennDOT when ready. Some states recognize Pennsylvania IID orders, but others do not. You may be required to maintain the device in Pennsylvania even if you move, or you may need to transfer the requirement to your new state. Do not assume you can straightforward remove the device — doing so without permission is a violation.