What happens when you reinstall an interlock device
Reinstating your license with an interlock device means you'll get your driving privileges back, but with a condition: you must install and maintain an ignition interlock device in your vehicle for a set period. The device prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency sets the timeline and requirements — these vary significantly by state and by the reason your license was suspended.
The process itself has three main parts: getting the device installed by a certified provider, maintaining it according to state rules, and eventually removing it once you've completed the required period. You cannot skip the installation step or use a vehicle without the device during your reinstatement period — doing so will re-suspend your license and may result in additional penalties.
Key Takeaways
- Your state's DMV will tell you the exact length of time you must use an interlock device, which typically ranges from six months to three years depending on your situation.
- You must use a certified interlock provider in your state — you cannot buy or install a device yourself, and not all providers serve all areas.
- The device costs money to install and maintain monthly, and you pay these fees directly to the provider, not to the state.
- You must pass a monitoring period without violations (failed breath tests or missed appointments) before the DMV will remove the device and fully reinstate your license.
- Driving a vehicle without the device during your reinstatement period is illegal and will result in when ready re-suspension.
Contact your state DMV to learn your specific requirements
Start by contacting your state's DMV directly — by phone, in person, or through their website. Tell them your license is suspended and you want to know the steps to reinstate it with an interlock device. They will tell you three things: how long you must use the device, which certified providers operate in your area, and what documents you need to bring to complete reinstatement.
Some states require you to complete a substance abuse program or pay a reinstatement fee before you can install the device. Others allow you to move straight to installation. The DMV will also explain whether you can drive to and from the interlock provider's office during the suspension period — many states allow this specific trip, but you need written permission first.
Write down the provider names and phone numbers the DMV gives you. Do not assume all providers serve your location — call each one to confirm they can install the device in your area and ask about their current wait times for installation appointments.
Schedule installation with a certified interlock provider
Contact the certified provider and schedule an installation appointment. Bring your driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance. The installation itself takes 30 minutes to an hour. The technician will explain how the device works: you blow into a mouthpiece before starting your car, and if the device detects alcohol, the engine will not start.
Ask the provider about their monthly monitoring schedule during your appointment. Most devices require you to visit the provider's office once a month for a data read and device check. Some providers offer mobile service where a technician comes to you. Understand the cost structure before you leave — installation fees, monthly monitoring fees, and removal fees all vary by provider. You are responsible for paying these costs.
The provider will give you a receipt and documentation showing the device is installed. Keep this documentation — you will need it when you return to the DMV to complete your reinstatement.
Maintain the device and pass your monitoring period
Once the device is installed, you must follow these rules: show up for every monthly monitoring appointment, never miss a scheduled breath test, and never attempt to start your vehicle with alcohol in your system. The device records all attempts to start the car, and the data is reviewed at each monitoring visit.
A "violation" in the eyes of the DMV is a failed breath test, a missed monitoring appointment, or tampering with the device. One violation does not automatically end your reinstatement — but it extends your monitoring period. Most states require you to complete a full violation-free period (often 6 to 12 months, depending on your state) before you can move to removal.
If you miss an appointment, contact the provider when ready and reschedule. If you fail a breath test, the device will log it, and you will discuss it at your next monitoring visit. Be honest with the provider about what happened — they report to the DMV, and the DMV uses this information to decide whether to extend your monitoring period.
Return to the DMV with proof of completion
Once you have completed your violation-free monitoring period, contact the interlock provider and ask them to notify the DMV that you have met the requirements. The provider sends this notification directly — you do not need to do it yourself. However, confirm with the provider that they have sent it, because the DMV will not remove the device until they receive official notice.
Some states require you to visit the DMV in person to request device removal; others process it automatically once the notification is received. Call your DMV to ask which applies in your state. If you need to visit in person, bring your driver's license and the installation receipt from the interlock provider.
Schedule device removal with the provider
Once the DMV has approved removal, contact the interlock provider and schedule a removal appointment. The technician will uninstall the device, which takes about 30 minutes. You will receive a removal receipt and documentation showing the device is no longer in your vehicle.
After removal, your license is fully reinstated — you can drive any vehicle without the device. Keep the removal documentation in case you need to prove to law enforcement or an insurance company that the device was removed on schedule.
Understand the costs involved
Interlock device costs vary by provider and state, but typical expenses are: installation ($100 to $300), monthly monitoring ($60 to $100 per month), and removal ($50 to $150). If your monitoring period is 12 months, you should budget roughly $800 to $1,500 total, though this varies. Some providers offer payment plans if the upfront cost is difficult.
You are also responsible for any vehicle maintenance the device requires. If the device malfunctions, contact the provider when ready — a non-functioning device is treated as a violation by the DMV. Some providers cover repairs under their service agreement; others charge separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive someone else's car during my reinstatement period?
No. You can only drive a vehicle that has your installed interlock device. Driving any other vehicle during your reinstatement period is illegal and will result in when ready re-suspension of your license, even if the other vehicle belongs to a family member.
What happens if I fail a breath test?
The device will not start your car, and the failure is recorded in the device's data log. At your next monitoring appointment, the provider will review the failure with you. One failure does not automatically extend your monitoring period, but repeated failures or a pattern of failures will. The DMV uses this data to decide whether to extend your reinstatement timeline.
Can I remove the device myself to save money?
No. Removing the device yourself is illegal and constitutes tampering, which is a separate criminal offense in most states. You must use a certified provider for removal. Tampering will result in re-suspension and additional penalties.
How long does the whole process take from suspension to full reinstatement?
The timeline depends on your state's requirements and your monitoring period. Installation typically happens within one to two weeks of your appointment. The monitoring period itself ranges from six months to three years. After you complete the monitoring period violation-free, removal takes another one to two weeks. Total time is usually one to four years from the start of suspension.
What if I move to a different state during my reinstatement period?
Contact your current state's DMV and the new state's DMV when ready. Some states have reciprocal agreements that allow you to transfer your interlock requirement; others do not. You may need to find a new certified provider in your new state and restart your monitoring period. Do not move without resolving this with both states, as driving without the device in your new state is illegal.