Alabama Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): Costs & Approved Providers
If an Alabama court has ordered an interlock — or you want to use one to avoid a 90-day suspension — here’s exactly what’s required, what it costs, and which providers are approved statewide.
| Required for a first DUI? | Mandatory if BAC 0.15+, child under 14 in vehicle, another person injured, or refusal. Otherwise optional — but installing one avoids your 90-day suspension entirely. |
| Always required for | Second or later DUI conviction; BAC 0.15+; child passenger under 14; injury DUI; chemical-test refusal |
| Duration — 1st offense | 90 days (elective) or 1 year (mandatory triggers: 0.15+, child, injury, refusal) |
| Duration — 2nd offense | 2 years from date the interlock-restricted license is issued |
| Duration — 3rd offense | 3 years; 4th and beyond: 4 years |
| Who regulates devices | ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) + ADFS certifies devices |
| State fees | $150 interlock-restricted license fee; $275 reinstatement fee for alcohol/drug suspension |
| Governing law | Ala. Code §32-5A-191; §32-5A-191.4; §32-7-31; §15-12-5 |
| Offense term | DUI (Driving Under the Influence) |
Do you need an interlock in Alabama?
Alabama gives first-time DUI drivers a meaningful choice. If your BAC was under 0.15, no child under 14 was present, no one was injured, and you didn’t refuse the chemical test, the interlock is optional — but it comes with a significant upside: installing one stays your 90-day license suspension entirely and has it commuted after 90 days of compliant use. For most drivers who need to keep working, that trade-off makes the interlock the obvious call.
The device is mandatory — no discretion — if your BAC was 0.15 or higher, a child under 14 was in the vehicle, another person was injured, or you refused the chemical test. It’s also required for all second and subsequent DUI convictions.
Alabama-approved providers
Alabama’s ADFS-certified provider list includes three brands. Note: Intoxalock, Guardian, and ALCOLOCK are not approved in Alabama — an unapproved provider won’t satisfy your order.
| Provider | Monthly est. | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Start | $70–100 | Statewide | 800-831-3299 |
| LifeSafer | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-634-3077 |
| RoadGuard (Dräger) | $65–95 | Statewide | 833-545-0368 |
Monthly estimates are market ranges — your exact price depends on vehicle and location. Confirm certification on the ALEA interlock page before signing. An unapproved provider won’t satisfy your court order.
What an interlock costs in Alabama
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly lease + monitoring | $65–100 |
| Calibration (every 30 days required) | Often included in monthly fee |
| Removal | $50–75 |
| Interlock-restricted license fee | $150 (paid to ALEA) |
| License reinstatement fee | $275 (alcohol/drug suspension, paid to ALEA) |
Over a 1-year mandatory term, expect roughly $1,000–1,500 all-in before state fees. Estimate your exact cost →
How to get installed — 5 steps
- Have your court order or ALEA interlock-restricted license notice in hand before you call.
- Call an ADFS-approved provider above and book an appointment — most can get you in the same week.
- Bring your vehicle, order, and ID. Installation takes 60–90 minutes. The 30-day calibration requirement starts immediately.
- ALEA issues your interlock-restricted license — you cannot drive until you have it.
- Keep every 30-day service appointment. Missing one adds 6 months to your term.
Violations that extend your term
Alabama’s violation rules are strict: any single violation adds 6 months to your term. Violations include four or more breath samples at or above 0.02 in a single month, tampering or circumvention, and missing a required 30-day service visit. Operating any vehicle without a functioning interlock during your term is a Class A misdemeanor and also adds 6 months. If you believe a failed sample was a false positive, document it immediately and contact your provider the same day.