Montana Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): What the Court Can Order
Montana does not mandate an ignition interlock for every DUI — the sentencing court decides, and it has three options for second and subsequent offenders. Your court order is the controlling document. If one is ordered, here’s how the Montana system works, which providers are approved, and what you need to know before installing.
Your court order controls everything in Montana. Montana has no all-offender IID mandate, no fixed statutory IID terms, and no statewide compliance-based removal process. The sentencing court determines whether an IID is required, for how long, and under what conditions — all based on your specific case. The information on this page describes what the law allows and how the program works, but the details that apply to you come from your sentencing order and your attorney. Confirm everything with your attorney before contacting a provider.
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Montana DUI interlock requirements at a glance
| Offense terms | DUI (Driving Under the Influence, MCA 61-8-1002); Aggravated DUI (BAC 0.16%+, MCA 61-8-1001) — both carry separate penalties |
| All-offender mandate? | No — courts have discretion. On a first DUI, the court may require IID or 24/7 monitoring if it recommends a probationary license (61-8-1010(1)). No automatic mandate. |
| 1st offense | Court discretion: IID may be ordered if probationary license is recommended. 6-month license suspension (61-5-208(2)). |
| 2nd+ offense — court chooses one of three | (1) IID during probationary period, OR (2) 24/7 Sobriety Program, OR (3) vehicle forfeiture — court picks the option (61-8-1010) |
| IID duration | No fixed statutory term — runs the court-set probationary period; end date appears on the MT driver record restriction |
| 24/7 Sobriety Program | An alternative to IID for aggravated DUI or 2nd+ DUI with a prior within 10 years (44-4-1205); twice-daily breath tests or SCRAM monitoring instead of an in-vehicle device |
| Driving without ordered IID | Separate misdemeanor (61-8-1024); also makes a later DUI an “aggravated DUI” — raising it to the higher offense class |
| No indigent IID program | No state-funded IID cost-assistance program found in statute or on MVD/DOJ sites |
| No removal process in statute | No compliance-based removal process found in MCA ch. 61-8. The IID restriction ends on the date shown on the MT driver record. |
| Who approves devices/vendors | Montana MVD / Dept. of Justice (61-8-1025) |
| Governing law | MCA 61-8-1002; 61-8-1010; 61-8-1024; 61-8-1025; 61-5-208; 44-4-1201 et seq. |
Montana’s three-option system for 2nd+ offenders
For second and subsequent DUI offenders, Montana law (61-8-1010) gives the sentencing court three choices. The court picks one — the offender does not choose:
- Option 1 — IID: The court orders installation of an MVD-approved ignition interlock for the probationary period. The IID restriction end date is posted on the driver record.
- Option 2 — 24/7 Sobriety Program: Instead of an IID, the driver reports twice daily for breath tests (or wears a SCRAM bracelet). This is the alternative to IID — if the court chooses 24/7, no IID is ordered. The program applies to aggravated DUI or a second DUI with a prior within 10 years (MCA 44-4-1205). County fees apply (e.g., Lewis & Clark County charges approximately $2/breath test and $8/day for SCRAM).
- Option 3 — Vehicle forfeiture: The court orders forfeiture of the offender’s vehicle. This is less common but a legitimate statutory option.
If you don’t know which option your court ordered, read your sentencing order carefully or ask your attorney. Your obligation depends entirely on what the court selected.
Montana MVD-approved providers
Verify approval with MVD before signing. Montana’s approved-vendor list is maintained by the Montana MVD/DOJ under 61-8-1025. Our research found Intoxalock, Smart Start, and LifeSafer listed as approved vendors. RoadGuard and Dräger appear under a “Parent Companies” heading on the MVD page — their status as approved vendors (rather than approved manufacturers) is ambiguous; confirm directly with MVD before using. Guardian and ALCOLOCK do not appear on the 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 |
Always verify MVD approval before signing. Confirm the provider is on the current Montana MVD/DOJ approved list at mvdmt.gov. Guardian and ALCOLOCK do not appear on the list. RoadGuard/Dräger status is ambiguous — confirm with MVD directly before booking. Monthly estimates are market ranges; no state indigent assistance is available.
What an interlock costs in Montana
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly lease + monitoring | $60–100 |
| Removal | $50–75 |
| State IID program fee | Not found in statute or on MVD/DOJ sites |
| 24/7 breath test fee (example: Lewis & Clark Co.) | ~$2/test × 2 daily = ~$60/month |
| 24/7 SCRAM monitoring (example) | ~$8/day = ~$240/month |
IID costs in Montana are the same market rates as other states — roughly $700–1,300 over a typical probationary period. No state financial assistance program is available. Estimate your exact cost →
How to get installed — 4 steps
- Read your sentencing order carefully. Confirm whether the court ordered an IID, the 24/7 program, or vehicle forfeiture. Your court order is the controlling document — not a standard timeline from this site.
- If an IID was ordered: contact the Montana MVD to confirm which vendors are currently on the approved list. Do not rely solely on provider marketing — verify MVD approval directly.
- Contact a confirmed MVD-approved provider, arrange installation, and bring your court order to the appointment.
- Serve the full court-ordered IID period. The “Ignition Interlock Required” restriction on your driver record carries an end date. Contact MVD and your attorney as that date approaches — no statutory removal process was found in MCA ch. 61-8.
Court ordered an IID? Verify provider approval with MVD, then call to book installation.
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Driving without an ordered IID in Montana
Montana takes IID violations seriously. Under MCA 61-8-1024, operating a vehicle without an ordered ignition interlock is a separate misdemeanor offense. More significantly: a later DUI conviction while required to have an IID — or while using a circumvented device — is automatically classified as an Aggravated DUI under MCA 61-8-1001. Aggravated DUI carries substantially harsher penalties than a standard DUI. Comply fully with any court-ordered IID requirement — the consequences of non-compliance compound the original offense.
SR-22 insurance may be required — though whether it applies to misdemeanor DUI suspensions (vs. revocations) is unconfirmed from official sources. See our Montana financial responsibility page → for what we know and what to confirm with your attorney.
Montana DUI interlock FAQ
Is an interlock mandatory for a DUI in Montana?
No — Montana has no all-offender IID mandate. For a first DUI, the court may order an IID if it recommends a probationary license, but it’s at the judge’s discretion. For second and subsequent offenders, the court chooses between three options — IID, 24/7 Sobriety Program, or vehicle forfeiture. The court picks; you don’t. Read your sentencing order to find out what was ordered in your case.
What is the 24/7 Sobriety Program and how does it differ from an IID?
The 24/7 Sobriety Program is Montana’s alternative to the IID for aggravated DUI or second DUI with a prior within 10 years. Instead of a car-mounted device, participants report to a testing site twice daily for breath tests, or wear a SCRAM (Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor) bracelet. If the court selects 24/7, no IID is ordered. Fees are set by the county — not the state — and vary by location.
How long will I have the IID in Montana?
Montana has no fixed statutory IID term. The duration is whatever the court sets in your sentencing order — it runs the probationary period and the end date appears on your Montana driver record. There is no standard compliance-based removal process in Montana statute. Confirm your specific end date with MVD and your attorney as the restriction date approaches.
What happens if I drive without the ordered IID in Montana?
Driving without a court-ordered IID is a separate misdemeanor under MCA 61-8-1024. More critically: any later DUI conviction while an IID is required is automatically classified as Aggravated DUI (BAC 0.16%+ offense class), which carries significantly harsher penalties. Non-compliance with an IID order is not just a violation — it upgrades future DUI offenses to a higher offense class.
Is there financial assistance for IID costs in Montana?
No state-funded IID cost-assistance program was found in Montana statute or on MVD/DOJ websites. All installation and monitoring costs are paid out of pocket. If the 24/7 program is available as an alternative, county-set fees (approximately $2/breath test or $8/day SCRAM at Lewis & Clark County) may be lower than IID costs depending on your situation.
Sources:
Montana MVD — Suspensions & Revocations;
MCA 61-8-1002; 61-8-1010; 61-8-1024; 61-8-1025; 61-5-208; 44-4-1201 et seq.
Last verified August 2026.
Advertising disclosure: We may be compensated when you contact a provider through our numbers or links. This doesn’t affect our rankings or information. Content is informational only — not legal advice. Confirm all requirements with your attorney and Montana MVD before proceeding.