Southern Maine Criminal Lawyer BlogWhat Does an Ignition Interlock Device Cost in Maine?
The average cost of an ignition interlock device in Maine is $80 for installation, $65 per month for rental, and $40 for removal. Most first-offense OUI drivers who choose an interlock pay between $380 and $600 total.
An ignition interlock device – often called an IID or car breathalyzer – requires you to blow into a mouthpiece before your vehicle will start. If the device detects alcohol on your breath, the car will not start. An OUI conviction in Maine does not come with a court-ordered IID. Installing one is a choice that can get your license back early under Maine’s ignition interlock requirements. Your total cost depends on which provider you choose. It also depends on how long you must keep the device. You may qualify for income-based financial assistance.
Average Cost of an Ignition Interlock Device in Maine
People often wonder how much is an ignition interlock after an OUI charge. Here is a breakdown of the standard ignition interlock fees in Maine:
| Fee Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Installation | $80 (one-time) |
| Monthly rental | $65/month |
| Calibration visits | Included with monthly rental (typically every 30–60 days) |
| Removal | $40 (one-time) |
For a first-offense OUI, expect to pay roughly $380 to $600 total. The range depends on how many months you keep the device. A four-month rental period costs $260 in rental fees alone. Add the $80 installation and $40 removal to that amount.
Beyond device costs, Maine requires first-offense OUI drivers to complete an alcohol education program. This typically costs approximately $300. You will also pay a license reinstatement fee of $100. These costs add up quickly.
Financial Assistance for Low-Income Drivers
Drivers who earn less than 150% of the Federal Poverty Level can qualify for half-price IID fees. The Maine Secretary of State’s office administers this program. As of 2026, the income thresholds are:
- Single person: $23,895 per year
- Family of 2: $32,355 per year
- Family of 3: $40,815 per year
- Family of 4: $49,275 per year
Contact the Maine Secretary of State’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles to apply. Bring proof of income with you. In our experience helping OUI clients in Cumberland and York County, many drivers who qualify for this discount do not know it exists. If your household income falls below these thresholds, the reduced rate can cut your total IID cost nearly in half.
Ignition Interlock Cost in Maine: Installation and Monthly Fees Explained
Understanding what each fee covers helps you plan your budget after an OUI conviction. Here is what to expect at each stage.
Installation Fee ($80)
A Secretary of State-approved service center installs the IID in your vehicle. The process takes about one to two hours. Bring your vehicle, your driver’s license, and IID requirement paperwork from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Also bring payment. The technician wires the device into your ignition system. The technician calibrates it to detect alcohol. The ignition interlock installation cost has remained steady at $80 across most approved Maine providers in 2025 and 2026.
Monthly Rental Fee ($65/Month)
The monthly rental covers the device itself, data logging, and real-time reporting of your breath test results. Your IID records every startup attempt. It records every passed and failed test. It records any tampering alerts. If you miss a scheduled calibration appointment, some providers charge an additional fee of $25 to $50. Keep your appointments on time to avoid extra charges.
Calibration and Service Visits
Maine requires IID recalibration every 30 to 60 days. This depends on your provider. During calibration, a technician downloads your test data. The technician inspects the device and resets the sensors. Most providers include calibration in the monthly rental fee. Confirm this with your provider before signing any agreement.
Removal Fee ($40)
Once you complete your IID requirement period, a technician removes the device. The technician restores your ignition system. You will need documentation from the Secretary of State confirming that your IID period is complete. The removal appointment takes about 30 minutes.
How Long Do You Need an Ignition Interlock in Maine?
The length of your IID requirement directly affects your total cost. Maine law ties the duration to the time left on your suspension.
First-offense OUI: The device is optional. If you choose it, it stays in for the 120 days left on the 150-day suspension under Maine’s ignition interlock requirements. You can choose to drive on an IID-restricted license after 30 days of suspension. This option lets you avoid serving the full 150-day suspension without driving. Total estimated IID cost: $80 + $260 (4 months × $65) + $40 = $380.
Second-offense OUI: The IID period is much longer. With two OUI offenses, you can be reinstated after 9 months of the suspension, and the device stays in for the time remaining. On a 3-year suspension that is 27 months. Rental fees for 27 months come to $1,755 (27 months × $65). Total estimated cost: about $1,875.
Third and subsequent offenses: With three OUI offenses, you can be reinstated after 3 years and keep the device for the remaining 3 years of a 6-year suspension. With four or more, you can be reinstated after 4 years and keep it for the remaining 4 years of an 8-year suspension. Rental fees alone come to about $2,340 for 36 months and $3,120 for 48 months.
Refusal cases: Refusing a breath test in Maine triggers enhanced license suspension penalties. A first refusal brings its own 275-day suspension. The interlock law does not set a longer IID period for a refusal.
In our experience representing OUI clients across southern Maine, most first-offense drivers fall in the $380 to $600 range. Your specific IID requirement period depends on the facts of your case. It depends on your prior record. It depends on how the BMV handles your situation.
Ways to Reduce Your Ignition Interlock Costs
The total price of an interlock system adds up. But you can take steps to keep costs down.
Apply for the Income-Based Discount
If your household income falls below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, you qualify for half-price IID fees. Contact the Maine Secretary of State’s IID program office to request an application. You will need to provide proof of income such as recent pay stubs or a tax return.
Compare Approved Providers
Maine has several Secretary of State-approved IID providers. While the state sets standard fee ranges, providers may differ on monthly rental rates. They may differ on calibration charges and service availability. Ask each provider for a written quote before choosing. Even small differences in monthly fees save real money over a four-month or multi-year requirement.
Avoid Violations
A violation does not extend your IID period, but it can cost you your license. If the BMV determines that you violated a condition of your reinstatement, it must suspend your license again for at least 1 year. Follow all IID rules carefully. Do not use mouthwash or other alcohol-containing products before blowing into the device.
Install the Device on Time
Delays in installing your IID push back the date you can get your license back early. They do not make the suspension itself longer. Every day you wait is a day without driving. You may face potential job loss and additional legal costs. The device stays in only for the time left on your suspension, so a late install shortens the IID period but does not shorten the suspension. The sooner you have the IID installed, the sooner you are back on the road.
What Happens if You Drive Without an Ignition Interlock
Some drivers consider skipping the IID to save money. This is a serious mistake.
Driving while your license is still suspended is a criminal offense in Maine. So is driving a vehicle without an IID after your license was reinstated with one. Under the ignition interlock law, driving without the device is a Class E crime. The sentence must include at least 7 days in jail and a fine of at least $500, and neither can be suspended.
Asking another person to blow into the device for you is a traffic infraction. It leads to a new license suspension. Tampering with the device, disconnecting it or circumventing it is a Class E crime with the same mandatory minimums.
The financial consequences of noncompliance far exceed the cost of the IID itself. A first charge for operating after an OUI suspension carries a fine of at least $600, plus at least 7 days in jail and a further suspension of one to 3 years, and the minimum fine rises to $1,000, $2,000 or $3,000 with prior convictions. You may face attorney fees and lost income from jail time. Compliance is always the cheaper path.
Talk to a Maine OUI Defense Lawyer About Your Interlock Options
An experienced OUI defense attorney can help you decide whether an IID-restricted license makes sense for your situation. That attorney can also advise whether serving the full suspension is better. Every case is different. The right choice depends on your work schedule, finances, and driving needs.
Webb Law Firm attorneys handle OUI cases in Portland, Saco, and throughout southern Maine. We understand how IID requirements affect our clients’ daily lives and finances. We have helped many drivers apply for income-based discounts. We have helped drivers choose providers and navigate the Secretary of State’s license restoration process.
Contact Webb Law Firm for a consultation. Discuss your specific IID requirements, timeline, and costs. The sooner you understand your interlock options, the sooner you can get back on the road legally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install an ignition interlock device in Maine?
Installation costs $80 at a Secretary of State-approved service center. This is a one-time fee. You will also pay $65 per month in rental fees and $40 for removal when your requirement period ends.
Can I get a discount on my ignition interlock device in Maine?
Drivers with household income below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level qualify for half-price IID fees. Contact the Maine Secretary of State’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles to apply with proof of income.
How long do I have to keep an ignition interlock on my car after an OUI?
For a first-offense OUI, the IID is optional. If you install one after 30 days of suspension, it stays in for the remaining 120 days of the 150-day suspension. With two OUI offenses, the IID stays in for the remaining 27 months of a 3-year suspension, after 9 months served. With three, it is the remaining 3 years of a 6-year suspension. With four or more, it is the remaining 4 years of an 8-year suspension. Refusal to take a breath test can also extend the administrative suspension period.
What happens if I fail a breath test on my ignition interlock device?
A failed breath test is recorded and reported to the monitoring authority. Repeated failures do not extend your IID period. If the BMV determines that you violated a condition of your reinstatement, it must suspend your license again.
Do I need an ignition interlock for a first-offense OUI in Maine?
Yes, if you want to drive before your full 150-day suspension period ends. Under ignition interlock requirements, first-offense OUI drivers can get an IID-restricted license after 30 days of suspension. Without the IID, you must serve the full suspension before driving again. For repeat offenders, the requirements are more stringent.