Financial assistance or fee exemptions are often available for those who cannot afford ignition interlock installation.

If you are required to have an ignition interlock device (IID), or in-car breathalyzer, on your vehicle there are generally several costs that must be included.  Most states have an ignition interlock fee that must be payed to the Department of Motor Vehicles or the Department of Transportation, whichever agency is charged with administering the ignition interlock program. This fee is charged because most state ignition interlock programs are self-funded, meaning that no taxpayer dollars are used to administer the program. It also helps assist indigent ignition interlock users who cannot afford these costs.

Another cost will be for installation of the breath alcohol ignition interlock. These costs not only vary from state to state but also vary by the ignition interlock companies within a particular state. This cost is usually around $100 or a little less.

You must also pay for routine maintenance and monitoring of the ignition interlock device. This usually runs between $60 and $100 and includes calibration. This could be considered in the costs for leasing the ignition interlock breathalyzer or leasing of the device could be a separate charge.

Some ignition interlock providers also require a refundable deposit or the purchase of monthly insurance on the device. A refundable deposit is also generally around $100 and monthly insurance can be as little as $5 a month for the time period required for the ignition interlock device.

Remember to check with your state ignition interlock agency for information on economic hardship exemptions if you are unable to afford installation, maintenance, and monitoring of an ignition interlock device. There are also exemptions for employers vehicles in some states as well. These do usually require signed consent from the employer before an ignition interlock exemption is granted.

View State by State Installers for a list of approved ignition interlock installers in some states.