Arkansas Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): Costs & Approved Providers
Arkansas requires an ignition interlock for every alcohol DWI conviction — including a first offense. The device is your ticket to driving during your suspension through an IID-restricted license available immediately after conviction. Here’s what the law requires, what it costs, and which providers are certified statewide.
| All-offender (alcohol DWI)? | Yes — required for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd alcohol DWI offenses; does not apply to drug-only DWI |
| IID-restricted license | Available immediately after conviction — no hard suspension before you can drive |
| Duration — 1st offense | 6 months (equals the 6-month suspension under Ark. Code §5-65-104) |
| Duration — 2nd offense (within 5 yrs) | 24 months |
| Duration — 3rd offense (within 5 yrs) | 30 months |
| 4th+ offense | 4-year revocation; no restricted license available |
| Child passenger (under 16) | No separate IID enhancement — raises minimum jail term only; IID already required for all alcohol DWI |
| Who certifies devices | AR Dept. of Health, Office of Alcohol Testing; DFA Office of Driver Services administers restricted licenses |
| State reinstatement fee | $150 per DWI offense (paid to DFA) |
| Governing law | Ark. Code §5-65-103; §5-65-104; §5-65-118; §5-65-123 |
| Offense term | DWI (age 21+); DUI is the separate under-21 offense (§5-65-303) |
Do you need an interlock in Arkansas?
If you have an alcohol DWI conviction in Arkansas — at any BAC level, any offense number up to the third — an ignition interlock is required. There is no lower BAC tier that exempts you, and no first-offender waiver. The IID requirement applies to alcohol DWI only; a drug-only DWI under §5-65-118 does not trigger it.
The practical upside: Arkansas makes an IID-restricted license available immediately after conviction — you don’t have to serve a hard no-drive period first. Installing the device as quickly as possible means you’re back on the road sooner.
Arkansas-certified providers
The following brands are certified by the Arkansas Department of Health’s Office of Alcohol Testing. Note: Dräger/RoadGuard is not on the current Arkansas list.
| Provider | Monthly est. | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intoxalock | $60–100 | Statewide | 888-283-5899 |
| Smart Start | $70–100 | Statewide | 800-831-3299 |
| LifeSafer | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-634-3077 |
| Guardian Interlock | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-499-0994 |
| ALCOLOCK | $60–90 | Statewide | 866-700-9300 |
Monthly estimates are market ranges — your exact price depends on vehicle and location. Confirm your provider’s current certification on the DFA interlock providers page before signing. An uncertified provider won’t satisfy your requirement.
What an interlock costs in Arkansas
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly lease + monitoring | $60–100 |
| Removal | $50–75 |
| DFA reinstatement fee | $150 per offense |
Over a minimum 6-month first-offense term, expect roughly $700–1,000 in device costs before the $150 DFA reinstatement fee. Estimate your exact cost →
How to get installed — 5 steps
- After conviction, apply to DFA for your IID-restricted license — it is available immediately, so don’t wait.
- Call a certified provider above and book installation. Most can get you in the same week.
- Bring your vehicle, DFA paperwork, and ID. Installation takes 60–90 minutes.
- Provide proof of installation to DFA to activate your IID-restricted license.
- Complete the full required term and provide proof of compliance before DFA will reinstate your standard license.
Violations and tampering
Tampering with, circumventing, or having another person blow into the device for you is a Class A misdemeanor under Ark. Code §5-65-123. Beyond the criminal charge, the Office of Driver Services will revoke your IID-restricted license and reinstate your original full suspension — meaning you lose your driving privilege entirely and restart the process. Keep every calibration appointment and never ask someone else to provide a breath sample.