DUI Interlock Service Installation Time-Frame. The Ignition Interlock Device can be installed the very next day after contacting a DUI Interlock Service provider. Sometimes within 24 hours after contacting a provider an installation time frame can be set up for the very same day in which time the service was contacted by the motorist.
The things that hold you back from getting back on the road and how we can quickly move those things to get you back on the road is a much better starting point than how fast an ignition interlock device can be installed. I have found that most of the things that hold people back to getting back on the road from a DUI have nothing to do with the installation of an ignition interlock device and how fast it can be installed.
The installation itself is the easy part
In most states, a qualified service technician can install an ignition interlock device in one to two hours. They will wire the interlock device to the vehicles ignition system, enter information for the drivers account, program the interlock device to the account, and show the driver how to use the interlock device. This is not a difficult process and is not where problems occur with the installation of an interlock device.
However, the largest delay to an interlock device installation is typically the paperwork required by a state prior to an installation taking place. This can include, but is not limited to, a program order from the DMV or the court where the offense took place, an SR-22 from an insurance provider (if required by the state), and clearance from the DMV for a restricted license holder to have an interlock installed. This can take days or even weeks. Once all of the required paperwork has cleared, an installation can be scheduled. Typically the installation itself can take anywhere from 1 hour to 2 hours to complete. The technician will show you how to use the interlock after it has been installed.
A good example of this is someone who got an interlock installed the day after their hearing. In this case, either the person or the provider had gotten all of the necessary items in order beforehand. This would include obtaining a program order from the DMV or the court, obtaining SR-22 insurance, and the person’s restricted license clearing the DMV’s processing. This can happen, especially in states with very efficient DMV’s such as California. Low Cost Interlock has several certified providers that can install an interlock in California.
What the actual timeline looks like
It’s really helpful to actually lay out the steps in more detail rather than just kind of describing them in a vague sort of way.
- Court or DMV issues your interlock order (same day to several days after your hearing)
- You contact your insurance provider to update your policy and obtain any required documentation
- You find a state-approved interlock provider and schedule an appointment
- Installation happens, typically taking one to two hours at a certified service center
- You submit proof of installation to the DMV or court, depending on your state’s process
Step 1 and 2 tend to take the longest amount of time and then, after all of that paperwork clears, there are many people to help with the installation and monitoring of the interlock device for your vehicle.
(Keep in mind that as you progress through the process for Step 1 & 2 can become very time-consuming for most people. Thus, once cleared through Step 1 & 2 Step 3 & 4 can be completed very quickly. However, in order to proceed efficiently through the last two steps of the process you must be prepared to proceed. Thus, it is advised to begin contacting installation providers the moment your last piece of paperwork clears.)
Does your location actually matter?
Another aspect that could play a role in the time it takes to receive an interlock device is the geographic location of where you live in. Some states have a well developed interlock program with a large amount of certified installers in the state. This would make it easier for someone to receive an interlock device in a timely manner. On the other hand, there are states that do not have as many installers for an interlock device. This could cause a long wait for someone to receive an interlock device and have it installed in their vehicle. Even within a state, some counties could have more installers than others. A person living in a rural area could have to travel a long distance in order to receive an interlock device. This could be very costly for someone who is already in financial trouble due to their past actions. A person living in a large city could have several different installers to choose from within a short distance. This could cause the installers to compete with one another for business. This could be good for the person who needs an interlock device because the installer who can provide the service the soonest would be the one chosen. This could be a big difference in the amount of time it takes to receive an interlock device.
I’ve been informed by DUI offenders in the Central Valley that there is a well defined DUI program in California and that companies that provide DUI interlock installation Modesto CA such as www.lowcostinterlock.com are helpful to complete the DUI interlock installation process for their clients.
If you are in a very competitive interlock market (i.e. lots of installers) it is not uncommon for a person to be able to get installed within the same week. This is usually best to call early in the week, i.e. Monday or Tuesday as opposed to waiting until Friday afternoon.
A quick comparison: what actually shapes your timeline
| Factor | Fast scenario | Slow scenario |
| Court/DMV processing | Same day or next day | One to two weeks |
| Insurance documentation | Already updated, SR-22 filed | Waiting on broker or provider |
| Installer availability | Same-day or next-day appointment | Several days out, or rural wait |
| Vehicle compatibility | Standard vehicle, no issues | Modified ignition, older model complications |
A better table of typical installation times for an ignition interlock device:
Before you make that first call
Below are several items to note prior to calling to schedule an interlock installation:
- Bring your court or DMV order to the appointment. Providers need to see it before installation, full stop.
- Ask whether your vehicle has any known compatibility issues with interlock devices. Most don’t, but older models and heavily modified ignition systems can throw surprises.
- Monthly calibration appointments are required after installation, so choose a provider whose location you can actually live with for the long haul, not just the first visit.
- Some providers offer payment plans or sliding-scale fees. If cost is a concern, ask directly. Don’t assume the answer and don’t assume the worst.
This topic is also explored in greater depth through these modern technology guides.
But that small little device is the smallest part of the largest puzzle and is not the bottleneck. As you see above, the court ordered paperwork from the court, the update of your SR-22 coverage with your insurance and the DMV processing of your restricted license are the items that take the most time to process and can disappear in a flash.
This is why it is so important to get the processing of these items in motion as quickly as possible, and then the installation of the interlock device will take care of itself in a matter of hours or days.
