Ignition interlock in Rhode Island
If a Rhode Island court has ordered an ignition interlock, two things come next: tell the DMV Adjudication Office right away, and get the device installed by a certified company. Report it right away, because a late report can mean going back to the judge to explain the delay. Have your court order? Call us, and we'll pass your request to an interlock company or installer serving Rhode Island to set up an appointment.
- DMV payment help
- not offered
- Companies installing
- 4
- Tell the DMV
- as soon as the judge signs off on it
- Hours you may drive
- a single 12-hour window each day
- Usual cost
- $70 to $150 upfront, then $60 to $80 monthly
- Agency in charge
- Rhode Island courts and DMV
4 interlock companies in Rhode Island
| Company | From, a month | Installation | 12 months, install included | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 LifeSafer | From $50 | $70 to $150 | From $670 | 4.6 of 5 |
 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 |
 Low Cost Interlock | From $78.76 | $100 to $250, plus $40 set-up | From $1,085.12 | 2.9 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.
Who decides if you need an interlock
There's no law in Rhode Island that requires interlocks statewide, per the IIHS. So check your court order or the letter about your license first, since that's the document that tells you whether you need one.
Per the Rhode Island DMV, only a Rhode Island court can grant a hardship license or an interlock restriction after an alcohol-related conviction, so your court order is the place to start. A hardship license is limited. It lets a suspended driver drive during one set period each day. The court that sentences you can include an interlock with it.
Only two kinds of drivers can get a hardship license:
- those who lost their license for refusing a chemical test
- those found guilty of operating under the influence
There's also a third path. The Medical Advisory Board can suggest an interlock for drivers sent to it after 3 or more convictions tied to alcohol and driving.
Telling the DMV about your hardship license
The DMV has no say in whether the license is granted. What it does is put the hardship and interlock restrictions on your license.
For that to happen, the DMV Adjudication Office needs to hear about the court's decision. If you don't report it right away, you may have to return to the sentencing court to explain the delay.
Rules for driving with a hardship license
With a hardship license, you can drive during one continuous 12-hour stretch each day.
Before the engine will start, the device needs a breath sample. Any alcohol it finds means the car stays off. It also asks for more samples while you're out on the road, so plan on blowing during the drive, not just before it.
Where can you get one installed in Rhode Island?
Only certified companies can lease, sell and install interlocks in Rhode Island. Call us and we'll pass your request to one that serves your state, so you don't have to sort through them alone.
Fees and policies are set by each certified company itself, so what you pay and the rules you follow vary between them.
Interlock costs in Rhode Island
Nationwide, MADD estimates the usual charge at $70 to $150 to install and then $60 to $80 for every month the device stays in. That adds up to roughly $430 to $630 over 6 months. Over 12 months, expect roughly $790 to $1,110.
The DMV does not offer payment plans for reinstatement, interlock, hardship license or education fees. Budget for them early.
When your hardship restriction ends
When your hardship restriction ends, go back to the DMV to have it removed and pay the reinstatement fee to get your full license back.