FAQ - Ignition Interlock

Certified Ignition Interlock Device (CIID) is an in-car breath-analyzing device that is connected to the vehicle’s ignition and requires a breath sample before the engine will start. Additional breath samples may also be required at intervals while driving.

Contact your provider to comply with their schedule. Your provider must send proof of Interlock calibration to MVD at least once every 90 days.

The average time requirement is 12 months. Some violations require longer times depending on the conviction that you were found guilty of.

Failure to have the device installed and to provide verification to MVD within 30 days from the date of conviction, may result in immediate suspension of your Arizona driving privilege and possible extension of the original interlock requirement.

Arizona Revised Statute §28-1461 requires that your driving privileges remain suspended until proof of Interlock installation is provided. A CIID must be installed on all vehicles you drive, including any driven for work. Please note, that some providers require written authorization from all owners before the CIID is installed.

Check your AZ MVD Now account for the amount you owe.

Visit Manage Compliance Issues in your AZ MVD Now account to pay by debit card, credit card, or e-check.

Mail money order, cashier check (no personal check or cash) to:

ADOT Motor Vehicle Division
Mail Drop 510M
PO Box 2100
Phoenix, AZ 85001-2100

Visit an MVD Office to pay with debit card, credit card, cash or certified funds. You may also contact a Third Party Office, additional fees may apply.

Cost will vary by provider and possibly by the service center. In accordance with ARS 28-1462 and A.A.C. R17-5-614, the service provider will collect $20 for each installed or transferred device. All other fees are established by the provider and service centers. The MVD does not regulate or monitor any fee above the $20 install fee. See Interlock Installation and Monitoring for a complete listing, and choose the one that best fits your needs.

72 hours. If proof of re-installation is not provided, your driving privilege will be suspended indefinitely until proof is provided

It should not. If you are having mechanical issues or services must performed on your vehicle, please notify your provider prior to service.

ARS 28-1461 states that the person shall not operate a motor vehicle unless it is equipped with a certified ignition interlock device. If you cannot install the device on all of your vehicles, it is not permissible for you to drive your other vehicles that are not installed with an interlock device during your requirement.

We will send a notice of eligibility to those qualified for the special restricted driver license. Please log into your AZ MVD NOW account to verify eligibility

Only drivers with a Class D or Class G driver license may be eligible for a special restricted driver license under Arizona law. If you currently hold a commercial driver license, you must apply in person at any MVD office for a class D special restricted driver license.

If you chose to remove early, you will not be eligible to apply for a new license until your suspension or revocation period is over, even if the special restricted driver license is surrendered.

Over 21
A person, except an underage licensee restricted by ARS 28-3320 or ARS 28-3322, may voluntarily cancel and surrender the special restricted driver license to MVD at any time during the restricted period. The person must provide us with a completed Driver License/ID Cancellation Request. In order to avoid any additional requirements being added to a record, a cancellation needs to be completed prior to the removal of the device

Under 21
A restricted underage licensee who has obtained a special restricted driver license and wishes to cancel must petition the court for permission to cancel the restricted license. If approved by the court, you may surrender your special restricted driver license by providing the court abstract along with your restricted license to MVD.

Not many companies will install an interlock device on a motorcycle. Those that will, often require additional items to ensure security and compliance of the device. Contact an interlock provider for more information.

Please see the Executive Hearing Office page.

Yes, you must keep the interlock installed until the end of the original requirement period. If you are still waiting for your hearing when the original period expires and you keep the device installed, you will be responsible for the additional maintenance expenses. If you remove the interlock and the decision of the Hearing Office is not in your favor, you must have the interlock installed (at your own expense) to begin the extension requirement.

If you have a complaint about fees charged, please contact your provider directly.

If you have a complaint about the service you received or the device that was installed, please describe your issues, and include your full name, date of birth and Arizona driver license number, as well as the name and location of the interlock provider, and mail to this address:

Motor Vehicle Division
Ignition Interlock Unit
P.O. Box 2100
MD 530M
Phoenix, AZ 85001

Alternatively, if the issue continues, please see our interlock complaint section.

Yes, you are required to get a new license. Log in to your AZMVDNow Account to confirm eligibility.

You may not drive any vehicle without an Interlock device. You must continue to meet all calibration and other interlock requirements. You may transfer your IL to another vehicle. Contact your manufacturer for scheduling.

The Certified Ignition Interlock Device (CIID) must be installed prior to the release of a vehicle to a driver who is required to install a CIID. You will need to contact the impounding agency, storage yard, facility, person or agency having physical possession of the vehicle to gain access to the vehicle for the purposes of installing the CIID.

State law requires that your driving privilege remain suspended or revoked until MVD receives proof of a functioning interlock in each motor vehicle you operate, even though you may not be the registered owner (see ARS 28-1461). Some providers may require written authorization from all owners prior to install.

No, however, Arizona Revised Statue §28-1461 requires that a CIID be installed on all vehicles you drive, including any driven for work. Please note, that some manufacturers require written authorization from all owners befor the CIID is installed.

Yes, however any driver of your interlock-equipped vehicle will be required to blow into your device to operate the vehicle. If violations occur while someone else is driving your vehicle, you will need to address these violations with the interlock manufacturer.

Only the person who is driving your interlock-equipped vehicle is allowed to blow into your interlock device. Anyone who is driving your interlock-equipped vehicle is required to blow into the interlock device to operate the vehicle. If violations occur while someone else is driving your vehicle, you will need to address these violations with the interlock manufacturer.

State law requires installation and maintenance of an interlock when your driving privilege is limited or restricted after being convicted of a certain alcohol- and/or drug-related violation (see Arizona Revised Statutes 28-1381, 28-1382, 28-1383, 28-1402, 28-1461, 28-3319).

The law requires use of the interlock for at least one year from the date that your driving privilege is eligible to reinstate or from the date MVD receives the report of conviction, whichever occurs later. (see 28-1461).

See Interlock Installation and Monitoring for a complete listing, and choose the one that best fits your needs.

Your Interlock provider should send electronic confirmation to MVD when your device is installed. Check your personal compliance report (deep link) to see if MVD has received the electronic confirmation. After MVD receives that confirmation, you may request that your driving privileges be reinstated.

The law requires all newly installed, transferred or replaced devices to be equipped with a camera, GPS, and real time reporting capabilities. (See ARS 28-1462 and A.A.C. R17-5-604. Effective July 1, 2018.)

Anytime a breath sample is provided.

The camera is required to capture a single image at the time of a breath sample. If the manufacturer utilizes a short video to ensure a clear image of the driver is captured, only a still image is reported on the logs that are sent to MVD.

Contact your interlock provider.

Certain violations for first time convictions may be eligible for a 6 month deferment. Certain restrictions apply, including no violations during the first 6 months and showing up to all scheduled appointments. Please check your AZ MVD NOW account to verify eligibility.

No. The law requires use of the interlock for at least one year from the date that your driving privilege is eligible to reinstate or from the date MVD receives the report of conviction, whichever occurs later. (see ARS 28-1461).

State law requires the interlock remain installed for at least one year beginning on the date of reinstatement eligibility of your driving privilege or on the date we receive notice of your conviction, whichever occurs later (see ARS 28-3319). You may also contact MVD to determine the date you qualify to have the device removed.

Contact your interlock provider for possible options.

Yes. If you choose to switch vehicles or manufactures, once the device is removed you have 72 hours to get the device installed to avoid a non-compliance violation and start your original time over. While the device is removed, it is against the law to drive a vehicle without the interlock installed. Contact your provider for swapping options.

Visit your AZ MVD NOW to verify if your interlock requirement has been extended and/or to determine the date you will qualify to have the device removed.

Please visit your AZ MVD NOW account to verify that you are eligible to have the interlock removed.

You can call 602-255-0072 and ask to speak with a Level 2 CSR to review your record. You may also go to an MVD office or Authorized Third Party location.

See our Certified Ignition Interlock (CIID) section for more information. You may also contact your interlock provider.

The interlock device will not allow the vehicle to start if the alcohol content is more than 0.02 BAC. The provider will report a failed breath test over the legal limit as a violation to the department. This may extend your interlock for an additional 6 months.

The contract you signed with the Interlock Provider will have violation details. You may also contact your provider directly for more clarification.

The violation will be reported to the MVD and your interlock requirement could be extended for 6 to 12 months. Please see our Certified Ignition Interlock tab.

Upon conviction of driving without an interlock device as required by ARS 28-1464, your requirement to maintain an interlock will be extended for one additional year after your original requirement would have ended.

Yes, we monitor all reports sent electronically from your interlock provider. If those reports indicate a failure to comply with interlock requirements, tampering, circumvention or certain other violations, you will receive notification from MVD extending your original interlock requirement for an additional six to 12 months.

Contact the Interlock manufacturer.

MVD takes action based on information received by your provider. Contact your interlock provider to verify the accuracy of the reports. If your manufacturer is unable to resolve the issue, request a hearing from the Executive Hearing Office.

If an individual with an Interlock device requirement from Arizona is living in another state and wishes to reinstate their driving privileges with Arizona, they must contact an Arizona-approved Interlock Providers to locate an authorized Interlock installer in their current state of residence and have an approved device installed. It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure that the out-of-state manufacturer notifies the Interlock Unit in Arizona.

Arizona requirements still need to be maintained. Contact your interlock provider to locate an authorized interlock service center in your new state that will continue to provide all interlock services required by the state of Arizona. It is your responsibility to work with your interlock provider to ensure Arizona MVD receives all required electronic reporting until you have completed the interlock requirement.

No. Contact an Arizona authorized interlock provider to locate an authorized interlock service center in your state that will provide all interlock services required by the state of Arizona.

It is your responsibility to work with your interlock provider to ensure Arizona MVD receives all required electronic reporting until you have completed the interlock requirement.

Per Arizona Administrative Code R17-5-610,the interlock providers are required to transmit information to us electronically. If the issue continues, please see our interlock complaint section.

Please contact your interlock provider. It is your responsibility to work with your provider to ensure Arizona MVD receives all required electronic reports until you have completed the interlock requirement.

It is not permissible for you to drive a vehicle without a device installed or the rental company to rent to you without one installed. Please contact your provider for more information.

There are no provisions in state law to exempt a person with a medical condition from an interlock requirement.

There are no provisions in state law to exempt a person with a medical condition from an interlock requirement. All devices are certified to meet NHTSA standards. Based on these NHTSA standards, there is a minimum blow rate that is required to get a proper sample. However, when providing a breath sample is challenging, there are options that one can pursue.

If you are unable to provide an acceptable breath sample, you can change to a different ignition interlock device. You should make arrangements to have the old device removed and the new one installed on the same day, if possible. Also, remember that you cannot legally operate a vehicle that does not have an IID, so you will need someone else to drive your vehicle to the installation appointment.

Practice starting the vehicle while parked in a driveway or vacant parking lot. You may also seek additional training from the service center. Some manufacturers may be able to lower the volume of air required for their devices as an accommodation. Start by contacting your manufacturer to see if adjustments on the blow rate can be made.