Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Device Questions

Once you are convicted of a DUI, you’ll receive a Restoration Requirements Letter from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).  It will list all the requirements you must meet before you can install an Ignition Interlock Device.  If you have any jail time listed as a requirement, you will have to complete your required jail time before you install the Ignition Interlock Device (IID).  Jail time is not included in your license suspension.  Typically, your license will be suspended for 12 months before you are eligible to install your Ignition Interlock Device (IID).  You may have the option to apply for an occupational limited license (OLL).  If you are eligible for the OLL, you can install your Ignition Interlock Device six months early with restricted driving times.  If you are not eligible for an OLL, you will have to wait until your eligibility date, which follows your 12 months of suspension.  Then, you will receive a Restoration Requirements Letter from PennDOT.  You must complete all of the requirements listed in your Restoration Requirements Letter before PennDOT will grant you the ability to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID).

You will need to be driven to your installation by a driver with a valid driver’s license.  To install the Ignition Interlock Device at a Smart Start service center in Pennsylvania, you will need to bring the following:

1. 2 forms of photo identification
2. Your eligibility date

Things that would prevent installation:

• No eligibility date on the Restoration Requirements Letter
• An Act 122
• An Act 151, if completion of your jail time has not been acknowledged
• If you have court costs that have not been paid

Once you have installed an Ignition Interlock Device on your vehicle, Smart Start will send a completed form DL-21 to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on your behalf at no additional cost to you.

Smart Start devices are compliant with all state and federal requirements, and we are certified and approved as an ignition interlock provider by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).  In addition, our devices are tested and certified to meet the standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  All Ignition Interlock Device requirements in Pennsylvania will be listed on the Pennsylvania DUI Association (PADUI) website.

If you violate in the state of Pennsylvania, you will be forced to pay a fee.  If you fail to come in for service beyond the five-day grace period, you will become non-compliant, and you will remain non-compliant until you bring your car in for servicing.  Your device may also go into lockout.  If you purchase a new vehicle and do not install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID), you will be held in non-compliance until you install an Ignition Interlock Device on that vehicle.   If you remove your Ignition Interlock Device before your program is up, and you have not been issued an unrestricted license, you will be non-compliant until you reinstall the device.

The state of Pennsylvania requires that you service your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) 30 days after installation, and then up to 60 days every term thereafter.

In the state of Pennsylvania, there is no requirement for a first offense unless your judge dictates differently.  If you have multiple years of suspension, once you’ve completed 50% of your suspension, you can apply for a probationary license that will allow you to have an interlock restricted license for 12 months.  After the 12 months are up, you can be issued a probationary license that no longer requires the Ignition Interlock Device.  If you have another traffic violation during your probationary period, you will be kicked off the program, and you will need to finish the full remainder of your suspension.

To remove the Ignition Interlock Device at a Smart Start service center in the state of Pennsylvania, you will need an unrestricted regular driver’s license, a probationary restricted license, or a learner’s permit that does not have an interlock restriction.

If you have an Ignition Interlock Device requirement, but you don’t own a vehicle, the state of Pennsylvania requires you to submit a DL-17 form to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) stating that you don’t own a vehicle.  Then, you will have to go through an ignition interlock provider like Smart Start to verify through the vehicle registration check that you do not own a vehicle.  You can also give us supporting documentation proving that you don’t own a vehicle.  However, you will still need to complete all of the other requirements on your Restoration Requirements Letter.  If you bring your completed form DL-17, Smart Start will send a form DL-21 to PennDOT on your behalf.

Yes, the state of Pennsylvania requires you to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) on every vehicle that you own.

The state of Pennsylvania rules and regulations allow you to install or service your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) at any Smart Start service center nationwide.

In the state of Pennsylvania, any and all of the following may constitute a violation:

1. Any alcohol content above the limit established by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which is currently .025
2. Skipping a rolling re-test
3. Failing a rolling re-test

Three attempts to blow that demonstrate over .025 will constitute a violation lockout. If you skip or fail a rolling re-test, you will enter violation lockout.

To install an Ignition Interlock Device on your vehicle or a family member’s vehicle voluntarily, click the chat window below, fill out our online form, or call 800.831.3299 to speak with one of our customer care advocates.  We’ll help you set up an installation appointment at a day and time that are most convenient for you.

In the state of Pennsylvania, a court order would dictate the need for a camera or GPS, but all of your specific ignition interlock requirements will be specified by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in your Restoration Requirements Letter.

In the state of Pennsylvania, you cannot install an Ignition Interlock Device until your eligibility date unless you are applying for an OLL, but you should begin completing your requirements listed on the Restoration Requirements Letter 30 days before the eligibility date.

No.  The camera is only there to take digital stills to accompany each breath test.

In the state of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is your State authority.  Your activities are monitored by the Pennsylvania DUI Association (PADUI).

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will issue your Restoration Requirements Letter with all of the specific requirements for your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) included.

You can pay for calibration at the service center during your service appointment using a credit card.

Smart Start will send a record of your service appointments to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on your behalf at no additional cost to you.

No, proper installation of Smart Start’s Ignition Interlock Device (IID) will not harm your vehicle.  Smart Start’s technicians are trained to provide exceptional service.

Motorcycle Ignition Interlock installation laws differ by state. Smart Start operates throughout the U.S. as a certified manufacturer and will work harder than other companies to provide you a seamless Interlock program that still follows your case requirements in the state of Pennsylvania. Please call our Customer Care Center at 800-831-3299 if you have any questions.

Yes, Pennsylvania state law requires that the Ignition Interlock Device be connected to your horn and lights.  However, this connection does not harm your vehicle in any way.