How Long Do You Need an Ignition Interlock in Florida?

Duration by Offense Level

Florida Statute 316.1937 sets minimum IID periods based on your conviction:

• First DUI, BAC under 0.15 - the court may order an IID for up to 6 months (not automatic)
• First DUI, BAC 0.15+ or a minor in the car - at least 6 months, mandatory
• Second DUI - at least 1 year; at least 2 years if BAC was 0.15+ or a minor was present
• Third DUI - at least 2 years
• Fourth or subsequent DUI - at least 5 years in many cases

Your judgment or FLHSMV notice states the exact period - it controls over any general guide, including this one.

When the Clock Starts

Your IID period runs while the device is installed and you're driving legally with it - not from the date of your arrest or conviction. Every week you delay installation is a week added to the back end. Drivers who install within days of their order finish months earlier than drivers who wait.

If you're pursuing a hardship license, the IID must usually be installed before your restricted driving privileges begin.

What Can Extend Your Time

The requirement can be lengthened - or restarted - by:

• Violations - failed tests, missed rolling retests, or tampering reported in your final months
• Missed calibrations - skipping a service appointment can be reported as non-compliance
• Driving without the device - driving a non-equipped vehicle while required is a criminal offense in Florida
• Early removal - taking the device out before FLHSMV authorization means starting over

The last stretch matters most: many FLHSMV reviews look specifically at your final 90 days being violation-free before approving removal.

How Removal Works

You don't just take the device out when the date passes. The process is: serve your full period → maintain a clean recent record → obtain FLHSMV or court authorization → schedule removal at your service center → the center reports de-installation and your full driving privileges are restored.

Removing early or without authorization is the most expensive mistake we see - the early termination fee is the small part; restarting the requirement is the big one.

Make Your Time Count

The shortest IID programs are boring ones: test sober, never skip a calibration, keep your battery healthy, and call support the moment anything looks wrong. Need to get started? Check your requirements or book an installation at your nearest Florida location.