Ignition InterlockProviders
Choosing a provider — and why not to go it alone.
Yes, your interlock has to come from an Arizona MVD-certified provider. But here is what nobody tells you: that company makes more money the longer you are on the device — so they are not the ones who will fight a false violation for you.
The part that’s required
Arizona only allows ignition interlocks from MVD-certified providers — companies the state has approved to install, calibrate, and report on the devices. That part is not optional, and the device itself is similar from one certified provider to the next. So the real question is not which device — it is who has your back when something goes wrong.
The conflict of interest nobody mentions
Think about how the device company gets paid: a monthly lease. The longer you are on the system, the more they make. A violation that extends your term? That is more revenue for them — and many advertise a low monthly rate precisely because the violations make up the difference. When a false positive hits your log, the company that profits from it is not your advocate.
Their incentive and yours point in opposite directions. They benefit when you stay on longer. You need someone who only wins when you get off.
Going direct vs. letting AES coordinate
Calling the device company yourself
- No one reviewing your data logs for false positives
- The company profits when your term extends
- You handle the screening and MVD steps alone
Letting AES coordinate
- Install set up with a certified Arizona partner — one call
- False-violation detection: your logs reviewed and disputed with the provider
- Your required screening handled — one point of contact
AES does not make money from your device. AES is the independent advocate in the middle — it sets you up with a certified partner and earns its keep by getting you through clean and off on time. AES monitors your interlock data logs and works directly with the provider to catch and reverse false violations (mouth alcohol, calibration error, someone else blowing). That is why the smart move is to call AES first — not the device company.
Get the device. Keep the advocate.
You still get a certified, MVD-approved device. You just do not face the system alone. AES coordinates the install, handles your screening, and runs the false-violation protection the device company never will — and when something looks wrong, you call AES, not the installer. Same compliance, far better odds of finishing on time.
Provider questions
Quick answers.
Do I have to use a specific interlock company in Arizona?
You must use a device from an Arizona MVD-certified provider, but you choose which one. Many drivers have AES coordinate the setup instead of going direct, so they get one point of contact and protection against false violations.
Why not just call a device company directly?
Because the device company makes money the longer you are on the system — every violation can mean more fees and a longer term, so they have little incentive to help you clear a false flag. AES is an independent advocate that does not profit from your device; we coordinate the install with a certified partner and dispute false violations for you.
Is the device different between providers?
Not meaningfully — all certified devices meet the same Arizona standard. What differs is whether anyone is in your corner when a false reading shows up. That is the part AES provides.
Keep exploring the interlock cluster: cost, violations & false flags, and early removal. Or start at the interlock guide.