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Ignition interlock in Ohio

In Ohio, the court is usually the one that orders an interlock, most often when a DUI (called OVI there) comes with a license suspension. For many people it applies for the rest of that suspension, though the exact length depends on your case, so your order is the thing to check.

Checked Oct 23, 2026Sources

    139 locations in Ohio 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. Hover or tap the map for details; orange rings mark your ZIP search.Company locators, Oct 2026

    What happens next in Ohio

    1. 1

      Check what your order says

      Look at the court paperwork for whether an interlock is required or only allowed, and for when it starts. After an alcohol-related arrest the court orders it for the rest of the suspension, and a first-time OVI offender may also ask the court for unlimited driving privileges with a certified interlock.1

    2. 2

      Know when it starts

      If you have a prior conviction within 10 years, the court shall require an interlock after the first 45 days, or after the first 90 days for a repeat offense of that kind. If your suspension came from refusing a chemical test, the court may order one after the first 30 days.2

    3. 3

      Pick an approved company and install

      You have to use a company on Ohio's approved list. They install the device at a service center, and every certified device must include a camera.3

      Find locations near you ↓
    4. 4

      Get the right license

      You'll drive on a restricted license with the interlock restriction printed on it. The BMV issues it and the courts do the ordering, so keep the court order with you when you go.4

    5. 5

      Keep up with service visits

      Plan on an inspection every 30 days, or every 60 if your device reports in real time. The device logs every test, and failed rolling retests get reported to the court within 2 business days.5

      Find locations near you ↓
    6. 6

      Avoid violations and finish

      A start blocked because of alcohol, or any tampering, counts as a violation, and the court may double your suspension and interlock period. Otherwise the interlock comes off when the suspension period it covers ends, and if money is tight, the court may help through a county or municipal fund when it finds you can't afford the device.6

      See what it costs ↓

    Who has to install one in Ohio

    Your situationInterlockHow longLaw
    First OVI, asking the court for unlimited driving privilegesOptionalNot statedORC 4510.0221
    First OVI, limited driving privilegesCourt decidesMay apply after first 15 daysORC 4510.0221
    Alcohol-related arrest, limited driving privilegesRequiredRest of suspensionORC 4510.0221
    Prior 4511.194 conviction within 10 yearsRequiredAfter first 45 daysORC 4510.132
    Repeat 4511.194 offenseRequiredAfter first 90 daysORC 4510.132
    Suspension for refusing a chemical testCourt decidesMay apply after first 30 daysORC 4510.137

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

    How Ohio compares nationallyRepeat convictions only
    First offense, to drive during the post-conviction suspension
    no, although interlock use is incentivized
    First offense, as a penalty or to get the license back
    no
    Repeat offense, as a penalty or to get the license back
    no
    IIHS, October 20268

    Where each company can install in Ohio

    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 Ohio

    Smart Start

    Listed as “1A Smart Start (SSI-20/20, 20/30, 20/35, Flex)”
    In Ohio
    33 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)
    Fees and deviceCompare with Intoxalock
    Also on the Ohio list
    • (others possible; snippet truncated)

    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 Ohio prices; see how we add them up.

    How much an interlock costs in Ohio

    Estimated total for your order

    1. LifeSafer
    2. RoadGuard
    3. Intoxalock
    4. 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, Feb 2021; New York filing, Apr 2025). Ohio prices can differ; calibration visits and lockout fees come on top.

    If you can't afford it

    Counties and municipalities run an indigent drivers interlock and alcohol monitoring fund that can help with the cost of the device.

    Financial help in other states

    The rules in Ohio

    Program run by
    Courts order the interlock and the BMV issues the restricted license. The Ohio Department of Public Safety, through its Traffic Safety Office, certifies the devices and licenses the manufacturers.9
    License you get
    The restricted license looks like a regular Ohio license but carries a printed interlock restriction.4
    How long
    In the alcohol-related tiers the interlock applies for the rest of your suspension once the tier's waiting period has passed. The sources reviewed do not state a fixed interlock term, so the length follows your suspension.10
    Repeated refusals
    Limited driving privileges are barred if you refused a chemical test three times in the previous 10 years.7
    State fees
    When an interlock is ordered, the court adds a mandatory $2.50 court cost, and it may add a second $2.50 at its discretion. The money goes to the public safety highway purposes fund.11
    Help paying
    Counties and municipalities run an indigent drivers interlock and alcohol monitoring fund that can help with the cost of the device.12
    Who qualifies for help
    The court has to find that you lack the means to pay for using the device.13
    Violations
    Two things count as violations: the device blocking a start because it detected alcohol, and tampering or circumvention. The court may double your suspension and interlock period, and a violation within 60 days of the end of your suspension adds 60 days.6
    Camera
    Certified devices must include a camera, a requirement that began January 1, 2020.3
    Reports and inspections
    Manufacturers and installers report events, including failed rolling retests, to the court within 2 business days. The device is inspected every 30 days, or every 60 days if it reports in real time.5

    Questions about interlocks in Ohio

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

    Ohio's law does not set one fixed interlock term in the sources reviewed. In the alcohol-related tiers, the interlock applies for the remainder of your suspension after the tier's waiting period, so your length follows your suspension. Suspension lengths are in ORC 4511.19(G), for example 1 to 3 years for a first offense. A court may double both after a violation.10

    Do you have to install an interlock after a first DUI in Ohio?

    It depends on the privileges you receive. A first-time OVI offender may petition the court for unlimited driving privileges with a certified interlock. With limited privileges, a court may require an interlock after the first 15 days, and in alcohol-related arrests the court orders one for the remainder of the suspension. Section 4510.13 sets no BAC threshold.1

    What state fees come with an ignition interlock order in Ohio?

    Ohio adds a mandatory $2.50 court cost when an interlock is ordered, and a court may add a second $2.50. The money goes to the public safety highway purposes fund. These facts do not cover what the device company charges for the unit itself, so that cost is not addressed here.11

    Is there help paying for an ignition interlock in Ohio?

    Yes, Ohio counties and municipalities have an indigent drivers interlock and alcohol monitoring fund. It applies when the court finds you lack the means to pay for using the device. These facts do not say how to apply, so the court handling your case is the place to ask.12

    What happens if you fail or tamper with an interlock in Ohio?

    The court may double your suspension and interlock period. A violation within 60 days of the end of your suspension adds 60 days, and the court may order remote alcohol monitoring. Violations include the device preventing a start because of alcohol and tampering or circumvention. You also cannot be reinstated with a violation in the prior 60 days.6

    Do Ohio ignition interlocks have a camera?

    Yes, certified devices in Ohio must include a camera. The requirement began January 1, 2020, so any certified device you are given should have one. The device also reports events, including failed rolling retests, to the court within 2 business days.3

    Related guides

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

    Sources 13 sources from 2 sites, including codes.ohio.gov, iihs.orgShow

    Every fact on this page comes from one of these.

    1. Where a court could grant limited privileges, it may instead grant unlimited privileges.codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.022
    2. the court "shall require" interlockcodes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.13
    3. Beginning January 1, 2020, it is equipped with a camera.codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.43
    4. The license looks like a regular Ohio license but carries a printed interlock restriction.codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.022
    5. manufacturers and installers must report ignition interlock events to the court within two business days (page summary)codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501-45
    6. the court is increasing the offender's suspension by sixty dayscodes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.46
    7. in its discretion may issue an order thatcodes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.13
    8. Ohio: first offense, post-conviction suspension: no, although interlock use is incentivizediihs.org/research-areas/alcohol-and-drugs/alcohol-interlock-laws-by-state
    9. The director of public safety, upon consultation with the director of healthcodes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.43
    10. for the remainder of the period of suspensioncodes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4510.13
    11. a $100 licensing fee for ignition interlock manufacturers (page summary)codes.ohio.gov/ohio-administrative-code/chapter-4501-45
    12. an immobilizing or disabling device, including a certified ignition interlock devicecodes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4511.191
    13. not to have the means to pay for the person's use of the devicecodes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-4511.191