Guide

Ignition interlock practicalities

Updated 2026-09-12 · Fact-checked educational article

Quick answer

Install, calibrate, and what a lockout actually means.

Vendors and fees

States approve vendors. Monthly lease plus install/removal is the usual shape. Ask about missed-calibration fees before you sign.

Lockouts

Failed tests and skipped calibrations can lock the car. That is a compliance issue, not just an inconvenience.