Ignition interlock in Hawaii
If you're convicted of DUI in Hawaii, even a first conviction, an ignition interlock is part of the deal. You can't apply for the permit that restores your driving until the device is in place, so most people start by scheduling the installation.
- A first offense means 1 year using the device
- A second offense means 18 months using the device
- A third offense means 2 years using the device
- Having it installed usually runs about $70 to $150
2 interlock companies in Hawaii
| Company | From, a month | Installation | 12 months, install included | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Intoxalock | From $54.99 | Set by each service center | From $729.88install at MADD's typical range | 4.4 of 5 |
 Smart Start | From $59.99 | From $150 | From $869.88 | 4.6 of 5 |
Prices are each company's national starting price. The 12-month column adds a year of that price, the install price and any set-up fee, or MADD's typical $70 to $150 where no install price is posted.
MADD's national range: $70 to $150 to install, then $60 to $80 a month, or $790 to $1,110 for a year.
Which drivers in Hawaii need an interlock?
The rule applies to every driver convicted of DUI in the state, first conviction included. The interlock itself is a compact breath tester hardwired into your vehicle, and if it detects alcohol, the engine will not start.
Your record determines the length of time. Hawaii's rules require a full year for a first offense, a year and a half for a second, and two full years if you reach a third.
Where to get an interlock installed in Hawaii
The permit application calls for a Smart Start lease agreement as proof that the device is installed. Smart Start advertises monthly leases starting at $59.99, while Intoxalock advertises starting at $54.99. Ask the installer for your exact Hawaii price when you call.
On Trustpilot, Smart Start holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating and Intoxalock a 4.4 out of 5. Give us a call and we'll send your request to an installer serving Hawaii, who will then arrange your appointment.
Getting your interlock instruction permit
This permit is what makes driving legal again while the device is in the car. The ADLRO, the Hawaii office that manages license revocations following a DUI arrest, issues it, and the steps come in a fixed sequence.
- File a petition with the court and obtain an order permitting you to apply. The ADLRO will not issue the permit without that order.
- Get the device put in, since the application must show it's in your vehicle.
- Send the application to the ADLRO, including your Smart Start lease agreement to document the installation.
The permit only covers vehicles fitted with an interlock, and it's valid only within Hawaii. Once the examiner of drivers says you qualify, you have one year from that date before the permit lapses, so note it carefully.
What an interlock costs
Installation runs about $70 to $150, and monthly monitoring and calibration cost roughly $60 to $80, per the state. Calibration is when a service center verifies the breath tester is still reading correctly.
The total depends on how long you need the device, and MADD's typical figures put one year at roughly $790 to $1,110.
Is assistance available if the cost is too high?
Yes. Hawaii's interlock company offers devices at reduced cost for drivers who can't pay the full amount. Bring it up when you book, and the installer will explain what documentation it needs.
Living with the device day to day
A digital camera snaps your picture at the exact moment you provide each breath sample, and the image is stored. That way there's a record of who took the test.
Your car goes to a service center, typically monthly, so the data the device logged can be downloaded. Putting these monthly visits on your calendar early makes them easy to keep.
If a test fails while you're driving, the car keeps running. What happens instead is the horn sounds or the lights blink, or both, to get police attention.
Breathing problems and medical waivers
Certain health conditions can make it hard to produce a breath sample strong enough. The first option is adjusting the device settings. If that still doesn't work, medical waivers are allowed, so a health condition won't leave you stuck.
Hawaii's interlock program, by the numbers
Since its launch in January 2011, the state's interlocks have prevented 128,600 vehicle starts by drivers whose breath samples showed alcohol.
Ready to get started? Give us a call and we'll pass your request to an installer that serves Hawaii, so they can set up your appointment.