Georgia Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): Costs & Approved Providers
Georgia does not require an ignition interlock for a standard first DUI — but electing one is often the smartest move, letting you drive immediately on a limited permit instead of sitting out your suspension. For a second conviction within 5 years, the interlock is mandatory. Here’s how both paths work.
| Mandatory for 1st offense? | No — but eligible first offenders may elect a 12-month IID limited permit within 30 days of ALS notice (OCGA §40-5-64.1) |
| Mandatory for 2nd offense (within 5 yrs)? | Yes — minimum 12 months as a probation condition (OCGA §42-8-111) |
| Mandatory for 3rd offense (within 5 yrs)? | Yes — habitual violator status; 5-year revocation; IID required before reinstatement |
| IID limited permit — 1st offense election | Apply within 30 days of ALS notice; $25 permit fee + $5 per 2-month renewal; valid 12 months |
| IID limited permit — 2nd offense | Available after serving 120 days of suspension; 12-month device period |
| Violation consequence | Permit is revoked (not extended) — 6-month wait to reapply; 2 years if repeat violation |
| Hardship exemption | Court may exempt from IID for undue financial hardship — but exempted driver loses all driving privileges for 1 year |
| Who certifies providers | GA DDS — Ignition Interlock Provider Program |
| Insurance required | SR-22A (Georgia’s specific form) |
| Governing law | OCGA §42-8-111; §40-5-64.1; §40-6-391; §40-5-67.1 |
| Offense term | DUI (Driving Under the Influence) |
First offense: the IID limited permit election
A standard first Georgia DUI carries a 12-month license suspension with no mandatory interlock. But eligible first offenders have a valuable option: elect an IID limited permit within 30 days of receiving your administrative license suspension (ALS) notice, and you can drive immediately with the device installed — full driving privileges, not restricted to work or school.
The permit costs $25 to apply ($5 per 2-month renewal) and runs 12 months. This is available even if you refused the implied-consent chemical test. The trade-off is a year of IID monitoring versus sitting out your suspension with no driving at all. For most working drivers, the election is clearly worth it. The 30-day window from your ALS notice is firm — miss it and you lose the option.
Second offense: mandatory interlock
A second DUI conviction within 5 years triggers a mandatory ignition interlock as a probation condition under OCGA §42-8-111. The minimum term is 12 months. A limited permit is available after serving 120 days of your suspension. A third conviction within 5 years results in habitual violator status — a 5-year revocation — and IID requirements must be met before reinstatement.
Georgia DDS-certified providers
Five major providers are certified by Georgia DDS. Note that Intoxalock operates in Georgia under the manufacturer name “Consumer Safety Technology” — confirm the brand name when booking.
| Provider | Monthly est. | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Start | $70–100 | Statewide | 800-831-3299 |
| LifeSafer | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-634-3077 |
| Guardian Interlock | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-499-0994 |
| RoadGuard (Dräger) | $65–95 | Statewide | 833-545-0368 |
| Intoxalock | $60–100 | Statewide | 888-283-5899 |
Monthly estimates are market ranges. Confirm your provider’s current certification on the GA DDS provider page before signing. An uncertified provider will not satisfy your requirement.
What an interlock costs in Georgia
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly lease + monitoring | $60–100 |
| Removal | $50–75 |
| IID limited permit fee | $25 (+ $5 per 2-month renewal) |
| DDS reinstatement fee (1st DUI) | $200 by mail / $210 in person |
Over a 12-month term, expect roughly $1,000–1,500 in device costs before DDS fees. Estimate your exact cost →
How to get installed — 5 steps
- Act within 30 days of your ALS notice if electing the IID limited permit for a first offense — this window is firm.
- Call a DDS-certified provider and schedule installation. Bring your ALS notice or court order.
- Bring your vehicle and documentation. Installation takes 60–90 minutes. Pay the $25 permit fee to DDS.
- Complete 12 months of monitoring with no violations. Violations revoke the permit — they do not simply extend it.
- At the end of your successful term, DDS authorizes removal. Schedule a removal appointment with your provider.
Violations — Georgia revokes, doesn’t extend
Georgia’s violation system works differently from most states. Rather than adding time to your term, a violation revokes your IID limited permit entirely. You must then wait 6 months to reapply — or 2 years if it’s a repeat violation. Violations include tampering, driving a non-IID vehicle, traffic convictions during your permit period, missed monitoring appointments, and unauthorized removal of the device. There is no second chance during the permit — keep a perfect record for the full 12 months.