Ignition Interlock · Cost
What an Arizona Ignition Interlock Really Costs
A modest install, then a monthly lease that bundles the device and calibrations. Over a 12-month term, most Arizona drivers spend roughly $1,100 to $1,900 all in — but the number that wrecks budgets is a violation, not the device.
The Cost Breakdown
Exact pricing is set by each Arizona MVD-certified provider, but the categories are consistent statewide.
Installation
$70 – $150
Once, up front
Monthly lease + monitoring
$80 – $150
Every month
Calibration visit
Often bundled in the monthly
Every 30 – 60 days
Refundable deposit (some providers)
Varies
Once
Removal
$200+
Once, at the end
Violation fee (avoidable)
$90 – $175 each + extended term
Only if flagged
All-In, by Term
~$1,100 – $1,900
12-month term
Standard or Extreme DUI. Less if you earn early removal at six months.
~$1,600 – $2,800
18-month term
Super Extreme DUI. Calibration cadence drives the spread.
+6 months / 2
Major violations
Each runs $90 to $175, and every two adds another six months — the cost worth preventing.
These are typical statewide ranges for planning, not a quote. Your provider sets final pricing, and calibration frequency is the biggest variable.
How to Actually Keep the Cost Down
Avoid violations — This is the whole game — a single false positive can add a month (and fees) and cost you early removal.
Earn early removal where eligible — For a standard first offense, finishing the required screening with a clean record can end it at six months.
Ask about reduced-cost programs — Some certified providers have an indigent or financial-hardship option if you qualify.
Let one point of contact coordinate it — One certified partner, one point of contact, and violation protection — at no extra cost to set up.
Do not be fooled
That Low Monthly Fee Is the Bait
Here is what the device companies will not print: many advertise a low monthly price, then profit when you rack up violations. Every flagged event can mean re-tests, resets, and a longer term — which is more money for them. Their incentive is to keep you on the system. Yours is to get off it.
How a false violation is proven
Your body eliminates alcohol at only about 0.02 BAC per hour. Real, deep-lung alcohol falls slowly and predictably. Mouth alcohol spikes, then vanishes in minutes. So when the data log shows the pattern beside this, it can be demonstrated that it was never a true violation — every benefit of the doubt the law allows, with the data to back it up.
| Reading | Result |
|---|---|
| Initial blow | 0.09 |
| 10 minutes later | 0.00 |
| Possible by metabolism? | No — ~0.003 max drop |
| Verdict | Mouth alcohol · false |
A 0.09 to 0.00 drop in 10 minutes cannot be real ingested alcohol — the body cannot eliminate that fast. It is the signature of mouth alcohol.
The Device Isn’t the Expensive Part. A Violation Is.
Drivers who go it alone often pay twice — once for the device, and again when a false flag resets the clock. AES monitors your interlock data logs and works with the certified provider to catch and reverse false violations (mouth alcohol, calibration error) before they extend your term. The device companies will not do that — because your violations are their revenue. Call AES, not the installer.
Cost FAQs
How much does an ignition interlock cost in Arizona?
Plan on roughly $70 to $150 to install, then about $80 to $150 per month for the device lease and required calibrations. Over a standard 12-month term, most Arizona drivers spend around $1,100 to $1,900 all in, depending on the certified provider and how often calibration is required.
Are there hidden interlock fees in Arizona?
Beyond install and monthly lease, watch for calibration visit fees, a refundable deposit, removal fees (often $200 or more), and — the biggest one — violation reset and re-test fees. A single false violation can add $90 to $175 and extend the term, which is the cost most people do not budget for.
Is there financial assistance for interlock costs in Arizona?
Some certified providers offer an indigent or reduced-cost program if you qualify financially. The lowest-cost compliant path also means avoiding the costliest mistake — a violation that resets your term.
Keep Reading: Ignition Interlock Guide
The cheapest interlock is the one that ends on time — see how to avoid violations . DUIINFO is an educational resource — not a law firm.