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Smart Start ignition interlock

Smart Start is run by 1A Smart Start LLC from Grapevine, TX, and its site does not name a parent company. The current devices are the SSI-20/30 and the SSI-20/20.

Company
1A Smart Start LLC
Based in
Grapevine, TX
Current device
SSI-20/30
Customer service
book appointment: (800) 831-3299 · customer support: (833) 574-0529
App Store rating
2.0 out of 5 from 113 ratings (Smart Start Client Portal, checked Oct 2026)
40of the 44 state approved lists we've read name Smart Start
Alabama: on the approved listAlaska: on the approved listArizona: on the approved listColorado: on the approved listFlorida: on the approved listGeorgia: on the approved listIndiana: on the approved listKansas: on the approved listMaine: on the approved listMassachusetts: on the approved listMinnesota: on the approved listNew Jersey: on the approved listNorth Carolina: on the approved listNorth Dakota: no list we could readOklahoma: on the approved listPennsylvania: not on the approved listSouth Dakota: not on the approved listTexas: on the approved listWyoming: on the approved listConnecticut: on the approved listMissouri: on the approved listWest Virginia: no list we could readIllinois: on the approved listNew Mexico: no list we could readArkansas: on the approved listCalifornia: on the approved listDelaware: on the approved listDistrict of Columbia: on the approved listHawaii: on the approved listIowa: on the approved listKentucky: on the approved listMaryland: on the approved listMichigan: no list we could readMississippi: no list we could readMontana: no list we could readNew Hampshire: on the approved listNew York: not on the approved listOhio: on the approved listOregon: on the approved listTennessee: on the approved listUtah: on the approved listVirginia: on the approved listWashington: on the approved listWisconsin: on the approved listNebraska: on the approved listSouth Carolina: on the approved listIdaho: on the approved listNevada: on the approved listVermont: not on the approved listLouisiana: no list we could readRhode Island: on the approved list
On the state's approved listNot on the listNo list we could read yet

Smart Start company record

Founded
19921
Ownership
Apollo Funds, which agreed to buy the company in November 20212
Locations it claims
over 4,000 worldwide (home page: 3,000+ US); its own locator listed 4,125 when we checked3
States it claims
48 states + D.C.; it's on 40 of the 44 official state lists we've read4
Google Play rating
2.0 from 268 reviews (Smart Start Client Portal)5

The Smart Start device

SSI-20/30, plus SSI-20/20, SSI Flex, SSI-20/35, SMART Mobile. Features like cameras and GPS depend on what your state requires.

Sensor
Alcohol-specific fuel cell sensor.6
How you blow
Blow and hum for 3 to 4 seconds. Some states use blow-inhale-blow, and the pattern depends on your state.7
Camera
Optional, and whether it is required depends on your state.8
GPS
Optional.9
Real-time reporting
Optional.10
Rolling retest window
5 minutes to respond once prompted, per a 2017 Kansas manual. Smart Start's current rules may differ.11
Size and weight
Smart Start says it is no bigger than the average smartphone.12
Electric and hybrid cars
Smart Start says the device is compatible with most electric vehicles.13
Motorcycles
Smart Start says the device is compatible with most motorcycles.13
App
The free Smart Start Client Portal app handles account management.14

Smart Start fees

Published nationally or by the company
FeeAmountApplies toSource
Lease, advertised starting ratefrom $1.99/dayNational, varies by state. Smart Start advertises no long-term contract.15
Filed with New York State (Apr 2025)
FeeAmountApplies toSource
Standard Protect monthly plan (includes roadside and DPP)$112.95/moFiled in New York16
Standard monthly plan (includes DPP), autopay$102.95/moFiled in New York17
Traditional monthly plan (excludes DPP), autopay$97.95/moFiled in New York18
Standard bi-weekly plan (includes DPP), autopay$51.48Filed in New York19
Traditional bi-weekly plan (excludes DPP), autopay$48.98Filed in New York20
Enrollment fee$40.00Filed in New York21
Administrative closing fee$69.50Filed in New York22
Lease payment with autopay off (surcharge)$5.00Filed in New York23
Installation, vehicle more than 5 years old$150.00Filed in New York24
Installation, vehicle 5 years old or newer$200.00Filed in New York25
Installation, hybrid or electric vehicle$241.00Filed in New York26
Installation, exotic or other vehicle$325.00Filed in New York27
Calibration, inspection and monitoring (shop)$25.00Filed in New York28
Removal (shop)$94.99Filed in New York29
Transfer to another vehicle (shop)$150-$325Filed in New York30
Missed appointment$55.00Filed in New York. Not charged with 24 hours notice.31
Service lockout fee$80.00Filed in New York32
Violation lockout fee$80.00Filed in New York33
Unlock code$63.00Filed in New York34
Vehicle transfer administrative fee$30.00Filed in New York35
LED indicator light$10.00Filed in New York36
Late payment fee$5.00Filed in New York37
Payment by phone fee$8.00Filed in New York38

New York makes interlock companies file their fee schedules with the state. Other states' prices differ, but the list shows which fees exist and roughly what they run.

Smart Start in Texas

144 certified service centers on the Texas DPS list. Advertised for Texas: from $1.99/day*, install from $150. Compare Texas companies

Good to know

  • The filing in New York lists no data processing, monthly data log, contract term or early termination fees.39
  • Smart Start's SMART Mobile option requires a camera with facial detection.40

Compare Smart Start

Where Smart Start is approved

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia

Documents we read

InterlockCompare is independent and isn't affiliated with Smart Start. Not legal advice.

Sources

  1. A Global Leader Since 1992smartstartinc.com/media-center/about-us
  2. funds managed by its affiliates (the “Apollo Funds”) have entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Global IID Holdco, LLCapollo.com/institutional/insights-news/pressreleases/2021/11/apollo-impact-to-ac
  3. Smart Start operates over 4,000 service center locations worldwide.smartstartinc.com/media-center/about-us
  4. Smart Start supports customers across 48 U.S. states and D.C.smartstartinc.com/media-center/about-us
  5. Smart Start Client Portal Smart Start, Inc. 2.0 star 268 reviews 100K+ Downloadsplay.google.com/store/apps/details
  6. Alcohol-specific fuel cell technology Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  7. Blow into the device for three or four seconds while humming at the same timesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices
  8. Optional camera for positive identification Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  9. Optional GPS tracking Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  10. Optional real-time reporting Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  11. Once prompted for a retest, you have 5 minutes toksrevenue.gov/doviidmanuals/SmartStart.pdf
  12. no bigger than the average smartphonesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  13. compatible with most electric vehicles, motorcycles, and other vehicle typessmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  14. downloading our free Smart Start Client Portal appsmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/cost
  15. From $1.99/Day* - No Long-Term Contractssmartstartinc.com
  16. Standard Protect Monthly Plan (Includes Roadside Protect and DPP)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  17. Standard Monthly Plan (Includes DPP) with Autopaycriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  18. Traditonal Monthly Plan (Excludes DPP) with Autopaycriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  19. Standard Bi-Weekly Plan (Includes DPP) with Autopaycriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  20. Traditonal Bi-Weekly Plan (Excludes DPP) with Autopaycriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  21. Enrollment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  22. Administrative Closing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  23. Lease Payment - Autopay Offcriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  24. Install Vehicle Model >5 Years Old*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  25. Install Vehicle Model ≤ 5 Years Old*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  26. Install Hybrid or Electric Vehicle*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  27. Install Exotic Other*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  28. Calibration, Inspection, Monitoring Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  29. Removal Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  30. Transfer Fee (Vehcile tranfer - one vehicle to another)*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  31. Missed Appointment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  32. Service Lockout Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  33. Violation Lockout Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  34. Unlock Codecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  35. Vehicle Transfer Administrative Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  36. LED Indicatior Lightcriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  37. Late Payment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  38. Payment by Phone Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  39. Early Contract Termination Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  40. Camera required with facial detectionsmartstartinc.com/about-us