How Much Does an Ignition Interlock Cost in California?
Written by BACtrack Editorial Team
Updated May 29, 2026
A typical California ignition interlock program runs $1,500 to $2,000 over twelve months with every fee counted. That is well above the monthly device rate quoted at signup.
California expanded the IID requirement statewide in 2019, making installation mandatory for most first-time and repeat DUI convictions. Whether you face a court-ordered IID, a voluntary install ahead of a custody matter, or a multi-year program for a repeat offense, the all-in cost has three layers: the device, the state fees, and SR-22 insurance. Most quotes show only the device layer. That gap is why total costs surprise drivers about two months in.
The numbers below come from the California DMV's published fees, current provider rates, and the state's income-based help schedule. Here is what each line item actually costs in 2026.
What you are paying for
To get a restricted license, you need to pay for:
- The device. An ignition interlock device (IID) in California costs $70 to $150 a month for the device lease, plus installation, calibration, and removal fees that vary by provider.
- State fees. Drivers also pay a $125 DMV reissue fee, $15 restriction fee, $103 admin fee.
- SR-22. The California Insurance Proof Certificate.
A typical 12-month program totals $1,500 to $2,000 all in. If you need financial assistance, California runs an income-based help program that cuts device costs by 10% to 90% for drivers below 400% of the federal poverty level.
California IID device costs by component
Most ignition interlock providers charge $70 to $150 a month for the lease. The full picture is below.
|
Cost component |
Typical California range |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Monthly device lease |
$70 to $150 |
Varies by provider and program length |
|
Installation fee |
$75 to $150, often free |
Most providers waive today |
|
Calibration visits |
$30 to $100 per visit |
Every 30 to 60 days. The hidden fee most drivers miss |
|
Device removal |
$50 to $150 |
At the end of the program |
|
Service calls and lockouts |
Varies |
Some providers bundle. Most charge per call |
On the other hand, BACtrack Drive charges a flat $99 per month with installation, calibration, and removal included. That way, drivers typically save $500 to $800 across a 6-month program.
DMV fees and SR-22 insurance
Before the DMV reinstates your driver’s license, you pay a $125 reissue fee, a $15 restriction fee, and a $103 admin fee. The DMV also requires a proof of SR-22 certificate, the DL-920 form (Verification of Installation) from your IID provider, and either a DL-107 or DL-101 (DUI program enrollment or completion).
SR-22 certificate filing fees run $20 to $50. The certificate stays active for three years. Premiums also go up under SR-22 status. The rise depends on your carrier and driving record (Shouse Law SR-22 California). The DMV will not issue the restricted license until all three items are turned in together.
How long you will pay
The total cost depends on how long you keep the device. The California DMV sets that based on the offense.
|
Offense category |
Minimum IID period |
|---|---|
|
First DUI, no injury |
Up to 6 months |
|
Second DUI within 10 years |
1 year (Pilot Program) |
|
Third DUI within 10 years |
2 years |
|
Fourth or more priors |
3 years |
|
Any DUI with injury, first offense |
1 year |
|
DUI with injury, 1 prior |
2 years |
|
DUI with injury, 2 or more priors |
3 to 4 years |
For a 12-month program at $100 a month, $1,200 for the lease plus $300 for calibration plus $283 in state fees totals about $1,783. That estimate does not include installation ($125 or more) or removal ($100 or more) charged separately by most providers — adding those brings the itemized total to at least $2,008 before SR-22 premium impact. The same program with BACtrack Drive's $99 flat all-inclusive rate runs at $1,511.
California's income-based help program
California ties IID device costs to the federal poverty level (FPL). The DMV IID Pilot Program page lists four tiers.
|
Income relative to FPL |
What you pay |
|---|---|
|
100% FPL or below |
10% of program costs |
|
101 to 200% FPL |
25% of program costs |
|
201 to 300% FPL, or CalFresh |
50% of program costs |
|
301 to 400% FPL |
90% of program costs |
The discount applies to the device lease only. DMV fees and SR-22 insurance stay at full price. You verify your eligibility for the discount with income with tax returns or recent pay stubs. Most providers handle the application at intake, so the discount starts in month one. BACtrack Drive processes the assistance application during intake for drivers who qualify.
Voluntary ignition interlock installations
A small number of California drivers install an IID on their own. Use cases are narrow but real: pre-trial defendants documenting sobriety, workers in commercial-driving roles, and drivers in family-court accountability programs.
Voluntary installs cost the same as court-ordered ones. The state help program is tied to court-ordered cases. DMV reissue and SR-22 do not apply because there is no license suspension to fix.
Visit BACtrack Drive to sign up and schedule your installation appointment.
What to know about BACtrack Drive
BACtrack Drive offers flexible payment options, including income-based discounts processed at intake for qualifying drivers. Flat-rate pricing usually beats line-by-line billing on programs past 6 months. Applying for state help at intake locks in the discount from month one. A 60-day calibration cycle cuts shop visits in half versus the 30-day standard.
BACtrack Drive operates in California at a flat $99 a month covering installation, calibration, and removal. The device is the California DMV certified ALCOLOCK AL-2500, served from six locations across the Bay Area and Sacramento region with same day installation. The team handles DL-920 paperwork, DMV verification through the Mandatory Actions Unit, and the income-help application for drivers who qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an ignition interlock device cost per month in California?
Most California IID providers charge $70 to $150 a month for the device lease, with the average near $100. Total cost runs higher once you add installation, calibration, removal, and state fees. Flat-rate providers like BACtrack Drive charge $99 a month with installation, calibration, and removal included.
Are there hidden fees for ignition interlock devices in California?
Most providers charge separate fees for installation ($75 to $150), calibration ($30 to $100 every 30 to 60 days), and removal ($50 to $150). DMV fees ($125 reissue plus $15 restriction plus $103 admin) and SR-22 insurance apply on top. A 12-month program can total $1,500 to $2,000.
Can I get financial help for an ignition interlock in California?
California runs an income-based IID help program tied to the federal poverty level. Drivers at or below 100% FPL pay 10% of device costs, 101 to 200% FPL pay 25%, 201 to 300% FPL or on CalFresh pay 50%, and 301 to 400% FPL pay 90%. Your IID provider typically handles the application at intake.
How long do I have to keep an ignition interlock in California?
Program length depends on the offense. A first DUI without injury can get up to six months under California Vehicle Code §23700. Repeat DUI offenders and injury-involved DUIs fall under California's IID Pilot Program with install periods of 1 to 4 years.
Do I need SR-22 insurance with an ignition interlock in California?
Yes for court-ordered IIDs. The DMV requires proof of SR-22 (the California Insurance Proof Certificate) before issuing an IID-restricted license. SR-22 filing fees run from $20 to $50, and the certificate stays active for three years.
Can I install an ignition interlock voluntarily in California?
Yes. California IID providers such as BACtrack install devices voluntarily for drivers who want a documented record or are in an accountability program. Voluntary installs cost the same as court-ordered ones. State income-based help is generally tied to court-ordered cases.
References
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Statewide Ignition Interlock Device Pilot Program." Accessed 2026-05-11.
- California Legislative Information. "California Vehicle Code §23575." Accessed 2026-05-11.
- California Department of Motor Vehicles. "Driving Under the Influence." Accessed 2026-05-11.
- Intoxalock. "Ignition Interlock Device Cost in California." Accessed 2026-05-11.
- Shouse Law Group. "SR-22 California: What Is It?" Accessed 2026-05-11.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Ignition Interlocks." Accessed 2026-05-11.
