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Ignition interlock in California

In California, a court can order an interlock after a first DUI, and the statewide pilot makes one mandatory for repeat offenders and for alcohol-involved DUIs that caused injury. The California DMV runs the program.

Checked Oct 23, 2026Sources
Repeat convictions only
First offense, to drive during the post-conviction suspension
no
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

    821 locations in California 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 California

    Your situationInterlockHow longLaw
    First DUI, no injuryCourt decidesUp to 6 monthsdmv.ca.gov2
    First DUI that involved an injuryRequired1 yeardmv.ca.gov3
    One prior DUI conviction in the last 10 yearsRequired1 year (2 years if injury)dmv.ca.gov4
    Two prior DUI convictions in the last 10 yearsRequired2 years (3 years if injury)dmv.ca.gov4
    Three or more priors, or a prior felonyRequired3 years (3 or 4 years if injury)dmv.ca.gov4
    Wet reckless convictionCourt sets minimum3 months minimumdmv.ca.gov4

    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 California

    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, Intoxalock, LifeSafer, Low Cost Interlock, Guardian, 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 California

    Also on the California list
    • A&A Interlock, LLC
    • Clear2Drive
    • Best Labs, Inc.
    • A Simple Interlock, LLC
    • Autosense International Inc.
    • Alcohol Analytics Systems LLC

    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 California prices; see how we add them up.

    How much an interlock costs in California

    Estimated total for your order

    1. LifeSafer
    2. Low Cost Interlock
    3. RoadGuard
    4. Intoxalock
    5. 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; National schedule, Sept 2026; New York filing, 2021; New York filing, Feb 2021; New York filing, Apr 2025). California prices can differ; calibration visits and lockout fees come on top.

    If you can't afford it

    The DMV low-income IID program lowers what you pay for the device based on income. To apply you show last year's federal tax return, your last three months of income statements, or EDD unemployment verification.

    Financial help in other states

    The rules in California

    Program run by
    The California DMV runs the program. Its Mandatory Actions Unit answers questions at 916-657-6525.2
    License you get
    After the device is installed and you file a DL 920, the DMV issues an IID-restricted driver license.2
    State fees
    The DMV charges a $103 administrative service fee during the mandatory interlock period, or $125 for an APS interlock restriction. No monthly state fee turned up in our research.2
    License fees
    Reissue, duplicate and restriction fees apply on top of the administrative service fee.5
    Help paying
    The DMV low-income IID program lowers what you pay for the device based on income. To apply you show last year's federal tax return, your last three months of income statements, or EDD unemployment verification.6
    Violations
    Driving without an interlock during your restriction period can lead to a citation, a conviction, and a suspension or revocation. Missing the 60-day calibration leads to a DL 921 non-compliance report and a suspension or revocation until you get a new DL 920.2
    Driving for work
    With an IID-restricted license you may drive your employer's vehicle without an interlock if your employer has a completed DL 923 and keeps a copy.2
    Commercial license
    If you hold a CDL, you must downgrade to a non-commercial license.2

    Questions about interlocks in California

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

    The length depends on your DUI convictions in the past 10 years and on whether anyone was injured. With no priors, a non-injury offense carries no mandatory term and an injury offense carries 1 year. One prior means 1 or 2 years, two priors mean 2 or 3 years, and three or more mean 3 years. A prior felony means 3 or 4 years.4

    Do you need an interlock after a first DUI in California?

    Not automatically for a first offense without injury, though a court may order one for up to six months. A first-offense DUI that involved an injury carries 1 year. Your court paperwork says which applies to you, and the DMV's Mandatory Actions Unit at 916-657-6525 can confirm what is on your record.2

    What state fees do you pay for an interlock in California?

    The DMV charges a $103 administrative service fee during the mandatory interlock period, and $125 if you have an APS interlock restriction. No monthly state fee turned up in our research. Those amounts are separate from what the interlock company charges you for the device itself.2

    Is there help paying for an interlock in California?

    Yes, the DMV runs a low-income IID program. You pay 10% of the cost at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, 25% from 101 to 200%, 50% from 201 to 300% or if you receive CalFresh, and 90% from 301 to 400%. You verify income with a tax return, recent income statements or EDD records.6

    What happens if you drive without an interlock in California?

    Driving without an interlock during your restriction period can bring a citation, a conviction, and a suspension or revocation of your license. Missing the 60-day calibration has its own consequence: a DL 921 non-compliance report and a suspension or revocation until you get a new DL 920.2

    Can you drive your employer's vehicle without an interlock in California?

    Yes, if you hold an IID-restricted license and your employer has completed a DL 923. You give the form to your employer, and a copy stays with you. Without that completed form, the interlock requirement still applies to the vehicle you drive.2

    Related guides

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

    Sources

    1. California: first offense, post-conviction suspension: noiihs.org/research-areas/alcohol-and-drugs/alcohol-interlock-laws-by-state
    2. dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/driv
    3. Courts may order IIDs for first-time offenders (up to six months)dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/driv
    4. 0 priors: Non-injury: none. Injury: 1 year.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/driv
    5. an additional $103 administrative service feedmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/driv
    6. 100 percent or belowdmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/driv