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RoadGuard vs Smart Start

Your state's approved list decides first: in most states you can only choose from the companies on it. Where both are approved, the device, the service centers near you and the fees are what differ.

RoadGuard logoRoadGuardDräger Interlock 700028 of 44 state lists
Smart Start logoSmart StartSSI-20/3040 of 44 state listsApp Store 2.0 from 113 ratings

Where each one is approved

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaColoradoFloridaGeorgiaIndianaKansasMaineMassachusettsMinnesotaNew JerseyNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOklahomaPennsylvaniaSouth DakotaTexasWyomingConnecticutMissouriWest VirginiaIllinoisNew MexicoArkansasCaliforniaDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaHawaiiIowaKentuckyMarylandMichiganMississippiMontanaNew HampshireNew YorkOhioOregonTennesseeUtahVirginiaWashingtonWisconsinNebraskaSouth CarolinaIdahoNevadaVermontLouisianaRhode Island
BothOnly RoadGuardOnly Smart StartNeitherNo list we could read
Both 26

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wyoming

Only RoadGuard 2

New York, Pennsylvania

Only Smart Start 14

Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Wisconsin

RoadGuard vs Smart Start: the devices

RoadGuardSmart Start
SensorThe Interlock 7000 handset uses an electrochemical sensor.1Alcohol-specific fuel cell sensor.2
How you blowRoadGuard says it is a simple blow-and-suck device.3Blow and hum for 3 to 4 seconds. Some states use blow-inhale-blow, and the pattern depends on your state.4
CameraAn integrated infrared camera is optional.5Optional, and whether it is required depends on your state.6
GPSA GPS configuration appears in the New York listing for the 7000.7Optional.8
Real-time reportingReal-time reporting runs through an optional GPRS module.5Optional.9
Warm-upUnder 4 seconds above 0 °C, under 60 seconds at -20 °C, and under 110 seconds at -45 °C.10Not published
Rolling retest windowRoadGuard says you will have "several minutes" to give the test. It gives no figure.115 minutes to respond once prompted, per a 2017 Kansas manual. Smart Start's current rules may differ.12
Operating temperature-45 °C to 85 °C.13Not published
Size and weightHandset about 138 x 61 x 36 mm and 178 g. Control unit about 148 x 90 x 32 mm and 300 g.14Smart Start says it is no bigger than the average smartphone.15
ScreenThe handset has a graphic color display.16Not published
Electric and hybrid carsNew York's fee schedule lists a higher hybrid install fee ($200 vs $100). RoadGuard makes no compatibility statement.17Smart Start says the device is compatible with most electric vehicles.18
BatteryRuns on a 12 to 24 V supply, with a maximum draw under 2 A and under 1 mA on standby.19Not published
AppBluetooth and infrared are used for data download. There is no consumer app.20The free Smart Start Client Portal app handles account management.21
MotorcyclesNot publishedSmart Start says the device is compatible with most motorcycles.18

RoadGuard vs Smart Start fees

Both companies file a fee schedule with New York State, so these rows compare the same kind of number: the New York amounts. Prices in other states differ, but the list shows which fees each company charges. Check the filing dates: an older filing may not match today's prices.

FeeRoadGuardNY filing, 2021Smart StartNY filing, Apr 2025
Monthly lease$92.00Filed in New York22$112.95/moFiled in New York23
Installation$100.00Filed in New York24$150.00Filed in New York25
CalibrationNot published$25.00Filed in New York26
Removal$69.00Filed in New York27$94.99Filed in New York28
Lockout or violation reset$75.00Filed in New York29$80.00Filed in New York30
Missed appointment$50.00Filed in New York31$55.00Filed in New York. Not charged with 24 hours notice.32
Closing or admin feeNot published$69.50Filed in New York33
Enrollment or set-upNot published$40.00Filed in New York34
Damage or loss$900.00Filed in New York35Not published
Insurance or protection plan$5-$10Filed in New York36Not published

In Texas

RoadGuardSmart Start
Certified service centers73144
Advertisedby quotefrom $1.99/day*
Installby quotefrom $150

Texas DPS service center list; prices advertised Oct 23, 2026. Texas interlock guide

InterlockCompare is independent and isn't affiliated with either company. Not legal advice.

Sources 36 sources from 5 sites, including rockallsafety.co.uk, smartstartinc.com, roadguardinterlock.comShow

Every fact on this page comes from one of these.

  1. Measuring principle Electrochemical sensorrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  2. Alcohol-specific fuel cell technology Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  3. we have a simple blow and suck deviceroadguardinterlock.com
  4. Blow into the device for three or four seconds while humming at the same timesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices
  5. can be equipped with a camera and/or a GPRS modulerockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  6. Optional camera for positive identification Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  7. Draeger Interlock 7000 (Camera, GPS, & RTD)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Qualified Manufacturer Listing Devices-01202026.pdf
  8. Optional GPS tracking Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  9. Optional real-time reporting Yes Yes Yessmartstartinc.com/about-us
  10. Readiness for use < 4 sec. (above 0 °C)rockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  11. You will have several minutes to give the testroadguardinterlock.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/interlock-7000-if-en-user-manual_1.51.pdf
  12. Once prompted for a retest, you have 5 minutes toksrevenue.gov/doviidmanuals/SmartStart.pdf
  13. Temperature - 45 °C to 85 °Crockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  14. Handset approx. 138 mm x 61 mm x 36 mmrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  15. no bigger than the average smartphonesmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  16. Graphic colour display in handset with full text messagesrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  17. Installation Fee (Hybrid)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  18. compatible with most electric vehicles, motorcycles, and other vehicle typessmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/best-ignition-interlock
  19. 12 V to 24 Vrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  20. Infrared interface, Bluetoothrockallsafety.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/drager-interlock-7000.pdf
  21. downloading our free Smart Start Client Portal appsmartstartinc.com/ignition-interlock-devices/cost
  22. Monthly Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  23. Standard Protect Monthly Plan (Includes Roadside Protect and DPP)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  24. Installation Fee (Standard)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  25. Install Vehicle Model >5 Years Old*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  26. Calibration, Inspection, Monitoring Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  27. Removal Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  28. Removal Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  29. Violation Resetcriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  30. Service Lockout Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  31. Missed Appointment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  32. Missed Appointment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  33. Administrative Closing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  34. Enrollment Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
  35. Lost, Destroyed Handset Fee (no insurance)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
  36. Insurancecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf