Ignition interlock removal: how to get it taken off

The device comes out when your state, your court or both say the order is complete, and taking it out early on your own usually counts as a violation. The rules for who signs off differ by state, and so do the fees the company charges at the end.

Updated Oct 23, 2026How we check

Who approves interlock removal in each state

From each state's statute or program page, for the 17 states we've finished checking. The state guide has the full rules and sources.

State	How removal works
Alabama	The device can only come out once you finish your interlock term, and the court then confirms to ALEA that the requirements are met.¹
Colorado	Colorado allows early reinstatement with an interlock, and the sources we reviewed do not describe ending the interlock requirement itself early. If you refused a test, you serve 2 months before you can apply.²
Connecticut	Taking the device out without written authorization from the DMV counts as a violation. The DMV page describes no removal procedure or form.³
Idaho	You work with your interlock provider to remove the device, for example when you sell a vehicle. The restriction period ends 1 year from the provider's proof of installation. A court may relieve you of the interlock if you make a clear and convincing showing. Financial hardship alone does not qualify.⁴
Maryland	When you finish your required time, including any extensions, the device's final data is downloaded and the MVA reviews it. If there are no violations you receive a completion letter, which you take to an MVA office to remove the restriction, and only then is the device taken out. Form AJ-013 proves installation and does not prove removal.⁵
Minnesota	If you withdraw voluntarily, you owe only the servicing and monitoring costs for the time the device was installed. The commissioner may also end your participation for public safety, and full privileges require no readings of 0.02 or higher in the preceding 90 days plus completed treatment.⁶
Missouri	The counting period starts the day the Department of Revenue receives notice from the device manufacturer. After that period you can have the device removed once your other reinstatement requirements, such as SATOP and insurance, are met. The Department of Revenue can answer questions at 573-526-2407.⁷
New Jersey	The device comes out on the last day of your installation period only if the vendor certifies that you had no more than one failure of 0.08% or higher in the final 30 days (a retest under 0.08 within 5 minutes does not count against you) and met every maintenance and calibration requirement. With two or more violations, the vendor forwards the record to the MVC and the court may extend the period up to 90 days.⁸
New Mexico	The indigent fund covers up to $50 of removal. The pages we reviewed did not describe a removal authorization process or form, so those steps are not covered here.⁹
Oregon	Once you finish the requirement and the DMV confirms it is lifted, you schedule removal with your interlock company. A No Negative Report or Certificate, based on a log review that normally covers the last 90 days, ends the requirement.¹⁰
Pennsylvania	You request removal of the interlock from vehicles you don't operate using Form DL-21SCR. PennDOT mails Form DL-3731 about 30 days before you become eligible.¹¹
Tennessee	After 365 days and the final 120 violation-free days, the manufacturer runs a compliance review and sends a Certificate of Compliance to the state. Once the state approves, you pick up an unrestricted license at a Driver Services Center and give a copy to the manufacturer to schedule removal, so the device stays in until you have that license.¹²
Texas	The court must keep the device installed for the suspension unless it finds good cause and decides the device isn't needed for community safety. DPS lifts the requirement from your license only after it receives a sealed court order or a vendor removal form signed by a judge or county clerk.¹³
Utah	If you take the device out early, your license is suspended again until a device is installed and an additional reinstatement fee is paid. The provider must electronically notify the DLD when the device is installed and when it is removed.¹⁴
Virginia	Your provider needs written or electronic authorization from the ASAP before taking the device out, and you pay no removal fee. The provider then sends a removal report to the ASAP, which tells the DMV the requirement is complete.¹⁵
Washington	Removal is based on compliance. The vendor has to certify no violations for the 180 consecutive days before release, a certified technician has to inspect the device and find no tampering, and only a technician certified by the State Patrol can remove it.¹⁶
Wisconsin	The service provider removes the device when your order ends, and DOT warns that early removal can cancel your driver license privileges. Starting September 1, 2027, a final service, data download and compliance review are required at the end of the order.¹⁷

Interlock removal fees by company

Most companies charge to remove the device, and some add a separate closing or administrative fee. These are the amounts they publish or file with New York State.

Company	Removal and closing fees
Smart Start	$69.50 · Administrative closing fee · Filed in New York¹⁸ $94.99 · Removal (shop) · Filed in New York¹⁹ $30.00 · Vehicle transfer administrative fee · Filed in New York²⁰
Intoxalock	$59.99 · Administrative closing fee · Filed in New York²¹ $75.00 · Removal at a service center · Filed in New York²² $30.00 · Vehicle switch, internal administrative fee · Filed in New York²³
LifeSafer	$62.50 · De-installation · Class 1, filed in New York, Feb 2025 v2 schedule²⁴
RoadGuard	$69.00 · Removal · Filed in New York²⁵
Low Cost Interlock	$129.50 · Removal (one-time) · National, varies by state and vehicle²⁶ $150 · Administrative transfer · National, varies by state and vehicle²⁷

New York amounts apply in New York and come from each company's filing with the state; check the date on the company page.

Before you book the removal

Ask the company for its removal fee and any closing fee in writing, and check whether your state wants paperwork from the court or the DMV before the appointment. In Texas, for example, DPS lifts the restriction only after it receives a sealed court order or a vendor removal form signed by a judge or county clerk.

More guides

Sources

The device can only be removed upon completion of the IID Termalea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
dmv.colorado.gov/early-reinstatement-interlock
proof of written authorization from the DMVportal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/license-suspension/ignition-interlock-progra
To remove the device (for example, when selling a vehicle), you must work with your interlock provider.itd.idaho.gov/guide/driver-records-and-suspensions
If there are no violations, you receive a completion letter.mva.maryland.gov/your-mva-guide/ignition-interlock-program
is only liable for servicing and monitoring costs incurred during the time the device is installedrevisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/171.306
begins the counting period on the day notification from the ignition interlock manufacturer is receivedmodot.org/node/462
shall be removed on the date the person completes the installation period only if the person submits to the chief administrator a certification from the vendornjcourts.gov/sites/default/files/notices/2024/03/n240402a.pdf
$50 for removaldot.nm.gov/traffic-safety/ignition-interlock-program
Diversion drivers are allotted the opportunity to petition to the court for an early removaloregon.gov/osp/programs/Pages/Ignition-Interlock-Device-Program.aspx
DL-21SCRpa.gov/services/dmv/apply-for-an-ignition-interlock-limited-drivers-license
Do not remove the device before you have your unrestricted license.safetysupport.tn.gov/hc/en-us/articles/25739709774099-Ignition-Interlock-Device-Removal
good cause for the removal of the device; and (2) the device is not necessary for the safety of the communitystatutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/TN/htm/TN.521.htm
the license will be re-suspended until an IID is installed and an additional reinstatement fee is paid.dld.utah.gov/iid
the service provider must receive written or electronic authorization from the ASAPlaw.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title24/agency35/chapter60/section100
A certified technician must inspect the device at the end of the 180 days (summary of (4)(b))app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx
Failure to install, early removal, or tampering could result in your driver license privileges being cancelled.wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/license-drvs/susp-or-rvkd/IID.aspx
Administrative Closing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
Removal Fee*criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
Vehicle Transfer Administrative Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Smart Start- NY State Pricing Schedule 04242025.pdf
Administrative Closing Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
Removal Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
Vehicle Switch (Internal administrative fee)criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Intoxalock-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
De-installation Feescriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/LifeSafer NY_Pricing 123 February 2025 v2.pdf
Removal Feecriminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pdfs/Draeger-Device-and-Fee-Schedule-8-15-2021.pdf
Removal (one-time)lowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing
Administrative transferlowcostinterlock.com/ignition-interlock-pricing