Ignition interlock in Tennessee
To get an ignition interlock in Tennessee, you first need one form signed by your judge, the Order for Restricted Driver License. Give it to the manufacturer and the install can go ahead.
- Companies installing
- 7
- Program overseen by
- Tennessee's Department of Safety and Homeland Security
- Paperwork to get first
- an Order for Restricted Driver License (the ORDL), signed by your judge
- Manufacturers you can pick from
- 6, all accepting new customers across the state
- Insurance the state wants on file
- an SR-22, the form that shows the state you're covered
- Agency in charge
- Tennessee Department of Safety
7 interlock companies in Tennessee
| Company | From, a month | Installation | 12 months, install included | Trustpilot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 LifeSafer | From $50 | $70 to $150 | From $670 | 4.6 of 5 |
 Guardian Interlock | From $50 | $70 to $170 | From $670 | 3.7 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 |
 ALCOLOCK | From $60 | $70 to $150 | From $790 | 2.3 of 5 |
 Dräger (RoadGuard Interlock) | Call for a quoteFirst month free | 1.7 of 5 | ||
 Alcohol Detection Systems (ADS) | Call for a quote | 2.4 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.
How the device works and who it's for
The device hooks into your car's ignition system. If it picks up alcohol when you breathe into it, the car won't start.
Here's when it applies in Tennessee. If you get a first DUI, you'll need an interlock if you want to keep driving while your license is under suspension. The state's Department of Safety and Homeland Security is in charge of the program.
Getting the device put in your car
- Once you've been convicted of a DUI or entered a guilty plea, ask the judge to sign an Order for Restricted Driver License, known as the ORDL.
- Request an SR-22 from your insurance company. That's the insurance paperwork the state keeps on file for you.
- Choose a manufacturer and hand over your ORDL. They won't install without it, and the form is what makes sure your program time gets tracked the right way.
- Reach out to that manufacturer and set a date for the install.
If your revocation time is already up
Say the revocation tied to your DUI has already run out. In that case, get in touch with the Driver License Reinstatement Help Desk and request a Notice of Revocation Letter.
Choosing a company
Six approved manufacturers operate in Tennessee, and all of them are taking new customers anywhere in the state. Since the state doesn't point to any one of them, your best move is to weigh them against each other on price, locations and reviews.
Company prices vary, and these are company-wide prices, not Tennessee quotes. Intoxalock leases start at $54.99 per month, and Smart Start's start at $59.99. LifeSafer advertises a range of $50 to $120 monthly, plus an installation fee between $70 and $150.
What it costs
On average, installation runs $70 to $150, then $60 to $80 a month, according to MADD. How long you need the device is a major part of the cost.
A full year comes to about $790 to $1,110 with installation included, based on those averages.
Support once it's installed
Once the device is in, your manufacturer is who to call. They can walk you through using it, deal with anything that breaks, and move a service appointment if you need a different day. The technicians at service centers handle four things: installing, servicing, removing and troubleshooting the devices. What they can't do is explain the law, read your device data for you, or go over violations.
Have your signed ORDL? Call us or send the booking form, and we'll pass your request to an interlock company or installer that serves Tennessee so they can set up your appointment.