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Ignition interlock in Alabama

In Alabama, an interlock can be ordered after a DUI conviction, and how soon it's required depends on your blood alcohol level and how many convictions you have. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Driver License Division runs the program, and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences approves the devices.

Checked Oct 23, 2026Sources
Required after a first conviction
First offense, to drive during the post-conviction suspension
yes
First offense, as a penalty or to get the license back
no
Repeat offense, as a penalty or to get the license back
yes
IIHS, October 20261

    45 locations in Alabama from the companies' own locators. Distances are straight-line; call to confirm the location services your device.

    Each dot is a service location listed by an interlock company. Orange rings mark your search.Company locators, Oct 2026

    Who has to install one in Alabama

    Your situationInterlockHow longLaw
    First DUI, BAC under 0.15Optional90 daysalea.gov2
    First DUI, BAC 0.15 or higherRequired1 yearalea.gov3
    Second DUI convictionRequired after 45 days2 yearsalea.gov4
    Third DUI convictionRequired after 60 days3 yearsalea.gov4
    Fourth or later DUI convictionRequired after 1 year4 yearsalea.gov2

    A judge can order an interlock in other cases too. Your court order or DMV letter is what binds you.

    Where each company can install in Alabama

    You'll go back to the same company's locations for service for the whole order, so check that one is close to where you live and work before you book.

    Locations as each company lists them on its own locator (Smart Start, LifeSafer, RoadGuard), pulled Oct 2026. Some shops serve more than one company. Alcohol Detection Systems doesn't publish a locator we could read.

    Interlock companies approved in Alabama

    From the state's approved list (read it). Use a company on this list, or the install won't count. 12-month figures are lease, install and removal from each company's filed or published fee schedule, not Alabama prices; see how we add them up.

    How much an interlock costs in Alabama

    Estimated total for your order

    1. LifeSafer
    2. RoadGuard
    3. Smart Start

    Lease times the months you pick, plus install, removal and any enrollment fee, from each company's filed or published schedule (New York filing, Feb 2025; New York filing, 2021; New York filing, Apr 2025). Alabama prices can differ; calibration visits and lockout fees come on top.

    If you can't afford it

    ALEA administers the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund. To qualify, you need a court order granting indigency status and a completed affidavit of substantial hardship.

    Financial help in other states

    The rules in Alabama

    Program run by
    ALEA's Driver License Division runs the interlock program. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences approves which devices can be installed.5
    License you get
    The license that goes with an interlock is called an ignition interlock restricted driver license. It carries a $150 fee.6
    Approved providers
    Four providers are approved: Draeger, Inc., Smart Start of Alabama, LLC, Sens-O-Lock of America, and LifeSafer, Inc.5
    Help paying
    ALEA administers the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund. To qualify, you need a court order granting indigency status and a completed affidavit of substantial hardship.7
    Getting it removed
    The device can only come out once you finish your interlock term, and the court then confirms to ALEA that the requirements are met.8
    Violations
    Three things count as violations: four or more breath samples of 0.02 or higher in a monthly reporting period (unless a retest within 10 minutes is lower), tampering or attempted tampering, and missing a 30-day servicing or calibration visit. Violations extend your interlock term by six months.9
    Refusing the device
    If you refuse to install, one additional year is added to your interlock term, except on a first conviction.10

    Questions about interlocks in Alabama

    How long do you have to have an interlock in Alabama?

    It depends on your conviction history and, for a first offense, your BAC. A first offense under 0.15 is 90 days, a first offense at 0.15 or higher is 1 year, a second is 2 years, a third is 3 years, and a fourth or later is 4 years. Violations can add six months.2

    Is an ignition interlock required for a first DUI in Alabama?

    It depends on your BAC. At 0.15 or higher, an interlock is mandatory, and your suspension is stayed once you show proof of installation. Under 0.15, it is elective, and the entire suspension is stayed if you voluntarily choose and install a device.11

    Is there help paying for an interlock in Alabama?

    Alabama has the Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund, which ALEA administers. The provider is reimbursed after a court finds you indigent. You need a court order granting indigency status and a completed affidavit of substantial hardship.12

    When can an interlock be removed in Alabama?

    The device can only be removed once you complete your interlock term. The court confirms to ALEA that the requirements are met. Removing it sooner is not allowed under the rule, and violations during the term extend it by six months.8

    What counts as an interlock violation in Alabama?

    Three things count: four or more breath samples of 0.02 or higher in a monthly reporting period (unless a retest within 10 minutes is lower), tampering, circumvention or bypass, or an attempt at either, and missing a 30-day servicing or calibration visit. Violations extend your interlock term by six months.9

    Related guides

    InterlockCompare is independent and doesn't make, sell or install interlocks. Not legal advice.

    Sources

    1. Alabama: first offense, post-conviction suspension: yesiihs.org/research-areas/alcohol-and-drugs/alcohol-interlock-laws-by-state
    2. IID term 90 days / 1 year / 2 years / 3 years / 4 years (page table, offenses after July 1, 2018)alea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    3. Mandatory Ignition Interlock, suspension stayed w/proof of IID installation.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    4. IID mandatory after 45 days / 60 days / 1 year (page table, offenses after July 1, 2018)alea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    5. The following Ignition Interlock Devices are approved by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences.adfs.alabama.gov/services/ic/ic-interlock-devices
    6. $150 fee for this driver licensealea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    7. copies of the indigent defendant's completed affidavit of substantial hardship and the subsequent court order granting indigency statusadmincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/chapter/760-X-4
    8. The device can only be removed upon completion of the IID Termalea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    9. violations "shall extend the duration of IID Term use for six months."alea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    10. One additional year is added to the Ignition Interlock Term, except on 1st Conviction.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    11. Entire suspension is stayed if ignition interlock is voluntarily elected and installed.alea.gov/dps/driver-license/license-and-id-cards/ignition-interlock-laws
    12. ALEA shall administer the Alabama Ignition Interlock Indigent Fund.admincode.legislature.state.al.us/api/chapter/760-X-4