Who has to install one in Minnesota
| Your situation | Interlock | How long | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offense, no qualified prior incident in 20 years | Optional | Not stated | dps.mn.gov2 |
| One qualified prior incident in the last 20 years | Required to reinstate | 2 years minimum | Minn. Stat. 171.1783 |
| Two qualified prior incidents | Required to reinstate | 6 years minimum | Minn. Stat. 171.1783 |
| Three or more qualified prior incidents | Required to reinstate | 10 years minimum | Minn. Stat. 171.1783 |
| Test refusal with one or more qualified priors | Required | Not stated | Minn. Stat. 171.1784 |
| Test refusal with no priors | Revocation, 1 year minimum | Revocation of at least 1 year | Minn. Stat. 171.1784 |
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 Minnesota
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, 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 Minnesota
- In Minnesota
- 135 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 37 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,427–$1,552
- App rating
- 1.7 from 899 (App Store)
LifeSafer
Listed as “LifeSafer Interlock, Inc.”- In Minnesota
- 78 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 34 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,205–$1,355
Smart Start
Listed as “Smart Start MN”- In Minnesota
- 52 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 40 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,460–$1,510
- App rating
- 2.0 from 113 (App Store)
- In Minnesota
- 22 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 19 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,215–$1,365
- App rating
- 1.4 from 11 (App Store)
RoadGuard
Listed as “RoadGuard Interlock”- In Minnesota
- 20 service locations listed
- Nationwide
- On 28 of 44 state lists
- 12 months, filed fees
- $1,273
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 Minnesota prices; see how we add them up.
How much an interlock costs in Minnesota
Estimated total for your order
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). Minnesota prices can differ; calibration visits and lockout fees come on top.
If you can't afford it
Manufacturers must provide installation, servicing and monitoring to indigent participants at a discounted rate under standards set by the commissioner. The discount amount and who qualifies were not available to us.
Financial help in other statesThe rules in Minnesota
- Program run by
- Minnesota DPS Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) runs the Ignition Interlock Device Program. You can reach them at dvs.ii@state.mn.us or 651-201-7777.2
- License you get
- The state issues a Class D driver's license with an ignition interlock restriction, which is the license you drive on while you are in the program.5
- State fees
- The state cannot require you to pay the reinstatement fee and surcharge before the restricted license is issued. Both are due before full reinstatement, and Minn. Stat. 171.306 does not state the amounts.6
- Help paying
- Manufacturers must provide installation, servicing and monitoring to indigent participants at a discounted rate under standards set by the commissioner. The discount amount and who qualifies were not available to us.7
- Getting it removed
- 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.8
- Violations
- Tampering, circumvention, driving a vehicle without a device or breaking program guidelines leads to revocation and a longer interlock period: 180 days for a first violation, 1 year for a second and 545 days for a third or later. Tampering is also a misdemeanor.9
- Camera
- The DPS page describes the device as having a camera that takes a photo at each test.10
- Breath limit
- The device prevents the vehicle from starting when your breath alcohol is 0.02 or higher.11
- Driving for work
- You may drive an employer-owned vehicle without an interlock during the normal course of your employment, as long as your employer gives written consent.12
- Out-of-state license
- A conviction in another state can make you eligible for the program if it would be grounds for revocation in Minnesota.13
- Location tracking
- The commissioner may not require location tracking without a court order.14
Questions about interlocks in Minnesota
How long do you have to have an interlock in Minnesota?
The minimum is 2 years with one qualified prior impaired driving incident in the past 20 years, 6 years with two priors, and 10 years with three or more. Cases involving criminal vehicular offenses can run longer. Drivers in the cancelled-IPS category face three to six years, according to the DPS page.3
Do you have to pay a reinstatement fee before getting an interlock license in Minnesota?
No. The state cannot require you to pay the reinstatement fee and surcharge before it issues the restricted license. Both become due before your full reinstatement. Minn. Stat. 171.306 does not state the dollar amounts, so confirm the current figures with the state before you plan your budget.6
Is there help paying for an interlock in Minnesota?
Yes, in some cases. Manufacturers must provide installation, servicing and monitoring to indigent participants at a discounted rate, following standards set by the commissioner. We could not verify who qualifies or how large the discount is, so ask your vendor and DPS about the eligibility rules before you sign.7
Can you get an interlock removed early in Minnesota?
You can withdraw voluntarily, and while the device is installed you owe only the servicing and monitoring costs. Full privileges require no readings of 0.02 or higher in the preceding 90 days and completed treatment. The commissioner may also end your participation for public safety reasons.8
What happens if you violate the interlock rules in Minnesota?
Tampering, circumvention, driving a vehicle without a device or breaking program guidelines results in revocation and a longer interlock period. The extension is 180 days for a first violation, 1 year for a second and 545 days for a third or later. Tampering is also a misdemeanor.9
Can you drive a work vehicle without an interlock in Minnesota?
Yes, in one situation. You may drive an employer-owned vehicle that has no interlock during the normal course of your employment, as long as your employer has given written consent. The exception covers employer-owned vehicles only, so your own car still needs the device.12
Related guides
InterlockCompare is independent and doesn't make, sell or install interlocks. Not legal advice.