BACtrack Drive vs Intoxalock in California

The advertised monthly price only tells you part of what an ignition interlock will cost. Installation, calibration, lockouts, removal, and other fees can change the total over the course of your program.

BACtrack Drive and Intoxalock take different approaches to those costs. BACtrack Drive charges a flat monthly rate with installation and calibration included. Intoxalock has a similar starting monthly rate, but some services carry separate fees. The two also differ in service locations, camera options, payment schedules, and device protection.

This guide compares BACtrack Drive and Intoxalock for California drivers, including monthly costs, additional fees, calibration visits, locations, devices, payment options, and support. Pricing and service details are current as of September 2026.

The quick answer

If you want a flat $99 monthly fee with installation and calibration visits included, BACtrack Drive is built for that. If you need a camera unit, a payment plan, or a service center outside Drive's 24 cities, Intoxalock is the better fit. Both follow the same DMV rules, so the differences are fees and service.

What BACtrack Drive and Intoxalock have in common

BACtrack Drive and Intoxalock both operate within California's DMV ignition interlock program, so choosing a provider does not change how long you're required to have a device. For a first offense without injury, the DMV does not automatically require an interlock, although a court can order one for up to six months. A first offense involving injury carries a one-year requirement, with longer terms for repeat offenses [1].

If this is your first offense, the first-offense requirements walk through the DMV process step by step.

Both providers also use devices approved by the California DMV. BACtrack Drive installs ALCOLOCK devices, while Intoxalock has its own approved models on the same list [2].

The same state rules apply to service intervals and financial assistance. California caps the service interval at 60 days for approved devices [3][4]. Vehicle Code 23575.3 also reduces device costs based on income, with CalFresh recipients paying 50 percent. Both providers offer the state-mandated assistance [5], and proof of income or benefits is required [3].

Monthly price and what it covers

The starting monthly rates are similar, but the two providers package their costs differently. BACtrack Drive charges $99 per month with installation and calibration visits included. Intoxalock lists California plans from $99 to $116 per month, with installation paid separately to the service center [5][6].

Intoxalock's offers page says installation typically costs $100 to $150 [7]. It also advertises free installation after rebate in California for qualifying new customers [6]. The rebate is capped at $100 and requires a minimum six-month lease [7].

Best for a predictable monthly price: BACtrack Drive. The $99 fee already includes installation and calibration, so the price you're quoted at sign-up is the one you pay each month.

Fees beyond the monthly price

Additional costs can appear when you get locked out, transfer the device, cancel early, or reach the end of your program. BACtrack Drive lists specific amounts for most of these in its enrollment agreement's fee schedule, while Intoxalock lists some additional fees but does not publish its removal price.

Two more costs are worth knowing. At BACtrack Drive, running past your service window triggers a permanent lockout, and you pay for the tow. Intoxalock also says a permanent lockout means a tow to a service center at your expense [8].

At BACtrack Drive, an inspection after tampering or an unscheduled recall may carry a service-center charge. Knowing what triggers a violation is the easiest way to avoid these.

Best for fewer surprise fees: BACtrack Drive. Calibration visits and deposits cost nothing, and every fee above is listed in the enrollment agreement you sign before installation. The tradeoffs are a $40 charge for a missed appointment and the 90-day cancellation repayment, which can reach $750.

A six-month cost example

A six-month example makes the difference between the advertised rate and the potential total easier to see. This estimate assumes three calibration visits, based on California's maximum 60-day service interval. DMV fees, SR-22 insurance, and income-based discounts are not included.

Based on published costs, BACtrack Drive comes to $594 over six months before removal. Intoxalock comes to about $754 to $906 before removal, or about $654 to $806 if the new-customer installation rebate applies. The exact Intoxalock total can also change based on how often calibration is required.

Neither total includes removal. BACtrack Drive prices removal by vehicle, and Intoxalock's removal fee is not published on the pages reviewed for this guide, so ask each provider for that amount before scheduling.

Calibration visits

BACtrack Drive schedules calibration about every 56 days, and the visits are included. That sits under the 60-day limit California sets for every provider [3][4]. Each visit takes about 15 minutes, and Drive sends a reminder before it's due.

Intoxalock's pages don't name a California interval. Its FAQ says its devices are certified for the longest interval the state allows. Visits take about 15 minutes [8]. It also says calibration is included in the lease, though service centers may charge a small fee [9].

Best for calibration visits: BACtrack Drive. Visits cost nothing and come slightly ahead of the state cap. If a service center's fee is the only difference to you, the gap is about $20 a visit.

Locations, scheduling, and support

Intoxalock has a larger service network. Its California page reports more than 650 installation locations in the state, while the company lists more than 5,500 nationwide [10][11]. Mobile installation is also available in some areas of California, and participating locations may offer same-day installation [12][6].

BACtrack Drive lists service in 24 California cities, from Sacramento and the Bay Area to El Cajon. Appointments can be scheduled by phone, text, or online form and typically take place within one to two business days. Installation takes about two to four hours, with same-day vehicle pickup.

For support, Intoxalock advertises 24/7 customer service, with chat inside its online account [11], although its California page lists specialist hours of 5 a.m. to midnight Central Time on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends [13]. BACtrack Drive offers direct phone and text support through a US-based team.

Best for reach and same-day options: Intoxalock has substantially more California locations, along with mobile and same-day installation options in participating areas. BACtrack Drive has a smaller network, so checking for a nearby service location should be one of your first steps.

The device and camera options

Both providers install a breath-testing device connected to the vehicle's ignition, and both offer interfaces in English and Spanish [16].

BACtrack Drive installs an ALCOLOCK device with a removable handset. You can bring the handset indoors during cold weather or keep it out of direct heat, and Drive says the device is typically ready to use in under a minute.

Intoxalock describes its device as a handheld unit [8]. Its help articles say the handset can be unplugged and brought indoors only where state rules allow, and they don't say whether California does [17]. The basic testing process is similar across certified devices. How an interlock test works explains the steps.

Camera options create a clearer difference. Intoxalock offers an upgraded device tier with a camera, real-time reporting, and remote lockout clearing [8][14]. BACtrack Drive's California installations do not include a camera, and the California DMV pages reviewed for this guide do not list one as a statewide requirement.

If you need a camera-equipped device: Intoxalock publishes a camera option, while BACtrack Drive's California installations do not include one. Requirements can vary outside California, so check with your provider before driving in another state if a camera requirement may apply.

Payment options and device protection

BACtrack Drive bills the monthly fee in advance to a credit, debit, or prepaid card on file. It doesn't take cash or checks, and it has no installment or prepay plans. It also doesn't sell a protection plan, because it repairs or replaces a defective device for free. You're only responsible for loss, theft, or damage beyond normal wear.

Intoxalock lets you pay monthly or bi-weekly, and you choose bi-weekly when you create your account. Autopay works with a debit or credit card, and one-time payments can come from a bank account [8]. Its optional Device Protection Plan costs $10 a month and covers accidents, theft, natural disasters, and accidental damage [15].

Best for flexible payments and added protection: Intoxalock offers biweekly billing and an additional protection plan. BACtrack Drive uses monthly card billing and covers equipment defects without a separate protection-plan fee.

What to ask before you sign

Whichever provider you pick, get four answers in writing before installation. Fee schedules change, and Intoxalock's main fee page says its figures are as of September 2024, so a written quote protects you.

• What is the removal fee, and who collects it?
• How often is calibration due for your vehicle, and is there a fee per visit?
• What does a lockout code cost, and what happens if you miss a service window?
• What do you owe if you cancel early or move the device to another car?

If you may qualify for California's income-based discount, bring the required proof of income or benefits to your appointment. The discount applies to eligible device costs regardless of which provider you choose.

Choosing between BACtrack Drive and Intoxalock

The main differences come down to how costs are structured, where you can get service, and whether you need features such as biweekly billing or a camera-equipped device.

If you want more predictable pricing

BACtrack Drive charges $99 per month with installation and calibration included. Its published six-month cost is $594 before removal, which is priced by vehicle. The main consideration is location, since service is available in 24 California cities.

If you want more locations or additional options

Intoxalock has a much larger California service network and offers features BACtrack Drive does not, including biweekly payments, an optional protection plan, and a camera-equipped device tier. Its monthly rate starts at $99, but installation, calibration service-center charges, and removal can affect the total.

Ready to compare your options

BACtrack Drive is currently available in select California markets. Check BACtrack Drive availability and ask for the total cost for your vehicle, including removal, before scheduling an installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

1. California DMV, "Statewide Ignition Interlock Device Pilot Program." https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/driver-education-and-safety/dmv-safety-guidelines-actions/driving-under-the-influence/statewide-ignition-interlock-device-pilot-program/
2. California DMV, "Ignition Interlock Device (IID) List." https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/occupational-licensing/occupational-licenses/breath-alcohol-ignition-interlock-device-baiid-manufacturer/ignition-interlock-device-iid-list/
3. California Vehicle Code section 23575.3. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=23575.3
4. California Vehicle Code section 13386. https://california.public.law/codes/vehicle_code_section_13386
5. Intoxalock, "Ignition Interlock Cost in California." https://www.intoxalock.com/state-requirements/california/pricing
6. Intoxalock, "Ignition Interlock Cost." https://www.intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-cost
7. Intoxalock, "Offers." https://www.intoxalock.com/offers
8. Intoxalock, "Ignition Interlock Devices FAQ." https://www.intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/faq
9. Intoxalock, "Intoxalock Lease." https://www.intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-cost/intoxalock-lease
10. Intoxalock, "California Ignition Interlock Requirements." https://www.intoxalock.com/state-requirements/california
11. Intoxalock, "Customer Support." https://www.intoxalock.com/customer-support
12. Intoxalock, "Mobile Device Installation." https://www.intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/installation-removal/mobile-device
13. Intoxalock, "Ignition Interlock Installers in California." https://www.intoxalock.com/locations/ca
14. Intoxalock, "Ignition Interlock Devices." https://www.intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices
15. Intoxalock, "Device Protection Plan." https://www.intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-cost/device-protection
16. Intoxalock, "Why Choose Intoxalock." https://www.intoxalock.com/ignition-interlock-devices/why-choose-intoxalock
17. Intoxalock, "What to Ask Your IID Installer Before Your First Appointment." https://www.intoxalock.com/knowledge-center/iid-installation-questions