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Ignition interlock in Florida

In Florida a court can order an ignition interlock after a DUI, and some cases make it mandatory based on your blood alcohol level, whether a minor under 18 was in the vehicle, and how many convictions you have. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) runs the program.

Checked Oct 23, 2026Sources
First offense: only at a high BAC
First offense, to drive during the post-conviction suspension
no, unless offenders' BAC at or above 0.15
First offense, as a penalty or to get the license back
no, unless offenders' BAC at or above 0.15
Repeat offense, as a penalty or to get the license back
yes
IIHS, October 20261

    533 locations in Florida 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 Florida

    Your situationInterlockHow longLaw
    First DUI, BAC 0.15 or higher, or a minor under 18 in the vehicleRequiredAt least 6 continuous monthsFla. Stat. 316.1932
    First DUI, BAC 0.08 or higherCourt decides6 months if orderedFla. Stat. 316.1932
    Second convictionRequiredAt least 1 yearflhsmv.gov3
    Second conviction, BAC 0.15 or higher, or a minor in the vehicleRequired2 yearsflhsmv.gov3
    Third convictionRequired2 yearsflhsmv.gov4
    Four or more convictions (hardship license)Required5 yearsflhsmv.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 Florida

    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 Florida

    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 Florida prices; see how we add them up.

    How much an interlock costs in Florida

    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). Florida prices can differ; calibration visits and lockout fees come on top.

    If you can't afford it

    FLHSMV and the seven vendors run a discount program that began on September 1, 2020, and each vendor sets its own eligibility and terms. A court may also direct part of your DUI fine toward installation cost if you cannot pay.

    Financial help in other states

    The rules in Florida

    Program run by
    The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) runs the ignition interlock program.4
    License you get
    Your license carries a 'P' restriction. It can be a permanent license or a restricted or business-purposes license.4
    Help paying
    FLHSMV and the seven vendors run a discount program that began on September 1, 2020, and each vendor sets its own eligibility and terms. A court may also direct part of your DUI fine toward installation cost if you cannot pay.4
    Driving for work
    If you drive an employer-owned or leased vehicle in the course of your job, you may drive it without an interlock once your employer has been notified. This does not apply if you own or control the business.5
    Alcohol limit
    The device prevents the car from starting when blood alcohol is above 0.025 percent, unless the court specifies a different level.6

    Questions about interlocks in Florida

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

    It depends on your conviction history and the facts of the case. For a first offense, the minimum is 6 continuous months when your BAC was 0.15 or higher or a minor under 18 was in the vehicle. A second conviction means at least 1 year, a third means 2 years, and four or more means 5 years.2

    Is there help paying for an ignition interlock in Florida?

    Yes, there are two possible sources. FLHSMV and the seven approved vendors offer a discount program that started on September 1, 2020, and each vendor sets its own eligibility and terms, so ask the vendor you choose. A court may also direct part of your DUI fine to installation cost if you cannot pay.4

    Can you drive a work vehicle without an interlock in Florida?

    Sometimes. An employee driving an employer-owned or leased vehicle in the course of employment may drive it without an interlock if the employer has been notified. The exception does not cover a person who owns or controls the business, so it will not help if the business is yours.5

    Which companies install ignition interlocks in Florida?

    Seven vendors are approved: LifeSafer, Alcohol Detection Systems (ADS), Smart Start, ALCOLOCK, Low Cost Interlock, Inc, RoadGuard Interlock (Nationwide Interlock), and Intoxalock. Fees and install locations are not covered on this page, so contact the vendors directly or check the FLHSMV program page for current details.4

    What blood alcohol level stops an interlock from starting a car in Florida?

    The device prevents the vehicle from starting when blood alcohol is above 0.025 percent. A court can specify a different level in your order, so check your paperwork if you are unsure which one applies to you.6

    Related guides

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

    Sources

    1. Florida: first offense, post-conviction suspension: no, unless offenders' BAC at or above 0.15iihs.org/research-areas/alcohol-and-drugs/alcohol-interlock-laws-by-state
    2. not less than 6 continuous months for the first offenseflsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/316.193
    3. Second convictionflhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/dui-and-iid/ignition-inter
    4. flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/dui-and-iid/ignition-inter
    5. leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm
    6. in excess of 0.025 percentleg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm