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Ignition interlock in North Carolina

North Carolina's full guide is still being checked against the statute and the state agency. Below is the IIHS rule for North Carolina, the agency that runs the program and the companies it approves, each linked to its source.

Checked Oct 23, 2026Sources
First offense: only at a high BAC
First offense, to drive during the post-conviction suspension
no, although interlock use for offenders below 0.15 is incentivized and required for offenders with 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

    126 locations in North Carolina 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 North Carolina

    Program run by: NC DMV (NCDOT) · agency page

    Law: N.C.G.S. 20-17.8 (limited driving privilege w/ interlock), 20-17.8A (cites from memory, unverified)

    For the rule that applies to you, read your court order or the letter from the DMV.

    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 North Carolina

    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), 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 North Carolina

    Also on the North Carolina list
    • Monitech Inc.

    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 North Carolina prices; see how we add them up.

    Related guides

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

    Sources

    1. North Carolina: first offense, post-conviction suspension: no, although interlock use for offenders below 0.15 is incentivized and required for offenders with BAC at or above 0.15iihs.org/research-areas/alcohol-and-drugs/alcohol-interlock-laws-by-state