If you have been convicted of a DUI in Arizona, one of the most consequential and often confusing requirements you will face is the Ignition Interlock Device (IID). You cannot simply wait out your suspension and move on — the interlock device must be installed, maintained, reported on, and formally removed through a process governed by both the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) and the courts.

This guide breaks down exactly how long you are required to have the device installed, what the law says, which violations can extend your requirement, and the precise steps to get the interlock removed once your time is up.

What Is an Ignition Interlock Device?

An ignition interlock device is a breath-testing unit wired directly into your vehicle's ignition system. Before your engine will start, you must provide a clean breath sample. If your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) registers above the programmed threshold — typically 0.02% in Arizona — the vehicle will not start. While driving, the device also requires periodic "rolling retests" at random intervals to confirm you remain sober throughout your trip.

Every test result is automatically logged and electronically reported to the Arizona MVD. There is no off switch and no grace period. Your IID provider submits this data on a regular basis, and the MVD reviews it as part of your ongoing compliance record.

Installation must be completed by a state-certified IID provider. This is not something you can do yourself. Under A.R.S. § 28-1461, the MVD will not reinstate your driving privileges until proof of installation in every vehicle you operate has been received.

How Long Must the Interlock Stay Installed? A Breakdown by Offense

The required duration of your interlock is set by statute, not by judicial discretion. Under A.R.S. § 28-3319, courts can order periods longer than the statutory minimums, but they cannot order anything shorter. Here is what the law requires by offense type.

Can You Get the Interlock Removed Early?

For most convictions, no — the statutory minimums are firm. However, Arizona law does provide one meaningful exception for qualifying first-time, non-extreme DUI offenders.

The 6-Month Early Deferral Program

Under A.R.S. § 28-3319, first-time DUI offenders convicted under A.R.S. § 28-1381 with a BAC below 0.15% may qualify to have their interlock requirement deferred — meaning removed — after just 6 months, rather than serving the full 12. To be eligible, all of the following must be true:

• It is your first DUI conviction
• Your BAC at the time of arrest was below 0.15%
• You have no disqualifying prior offenses on your driving record
• You have had zero recorded IID violations during the first 6 months
• You have completed your required DUI Alcohol and Drug Screening
• You have completed your 16-Hour DUI Education course approved by the Arizona Department of Health Services
• Your IID provider has electronically confirmed all compliance data — installation, calibrations, and compliance reports — to the MVD

Violations That Extend Your Interlock Requirement

Failing to comply with the interlock requirement doesn't just delay your removal — it can result in criminal charges and mandatory extensions. Under A.R.S. § 28-1464, driving without a required interlock, tampering with the device, or asking another person to blow into the device are all Class 1 misdemeanors. A conviction on any of these violations results in an automatic extension of your interlock requirement by up to one year.

Violation	Statute	Consequence
Operating a vehicle without a required IID	A.R.S. § 28-1464(G)	Up to +1 year extension
Asking someone else to blow into the device	A.R.S. § 28-1464(C)	Up to +1 year extension
Tampering with or circumventing the IID	A.R.S. § 28-1464(E)	Up to +1 year extension
Two failed breath tests (drivers 21+)	A.R.S. § 28-1461	6-month extension & lockout period
One failed breath test (drivers under 21)	A.R.S. § 28-1461	6-month extension & lockout period
Three consecutive missed rolling retests	A.R.S. § 28-1461	6-month extension
Failure to provide calibration proof every 90 days	A.R.S. § 28-1461(A)(1)(d)	Possible suspension & requirement restart

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Interlock Device Removed

The interlock does not automatically come off when your time is up. You must actively work through the following steps with both your provider and the Arizona MVD to formally close out your requirement.

1. 1
   Complete All Required Education and Screening

   Before the MVD will process your removal, you must have completed your court-ordered DUI Alcohol and Drug Screening and your required DUI education course (typically 16 hours for Level 2 offenders). Completion must be reported to the MVD by your provider — not just by you. Keep copies of all certificates.

2. 2
   Confirm Your Removal Eligibility Date With the MVD

   Log in to your AZ MVD Now account or call the MVD directly to verify the exact date you become eligible for removal under A.R.S. § 28-3319. Do not rely on your own calculation — the MVD's clock may differ from what you expect based on when they received your conviction notice.

3. 3
   Confirm Your IID Provider Has Submitted All Compliance Data

   Your IID provider must have electronically submitted proof of installation, all calibration records (required every 90 days per A.R.S. § 28-1461(A)(1)(d)), and all compliance reports to the MVD. Check your personal compliance report in your AZ MVD Now account to confirm the MVD has received everything. Do not schedule removal until all data is confirmed received.

4. 4
   Resolve Any Outstanding MVD Fees or Compliance Issues

   Check your AZ MVD Now account for any outstanding balances. These can be paid by debit card, credit card, or e-check online, or in person at an MVD office. Unpaid fees can delay your reinstatement.

5. 5
   Contact the MVD to Verify Removal Authorization

   Per Arizona DOT guidance, contact the MVD directly to confirm you are authorized to have the interlock removed before scheduling the appointment. This step is critical — proceeding without authorization creates the 72-hour reinstallation risk described in A.R.S. § 28-1464(H).

6. 6
   Schedule Removal With Your State-Certified IID Provider

   Once the MVD confirms your eligibility, contact your state-certified IID provider to schedule the physical removal. The provider will electronically notify the MVD that the device has been removed. Keep your receipt and documentation.

7. 7
   Cancel Your Special Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver License (SIIRDL) if Applicable

   If you were issued a SIIRDL, you must surrender it to the MVD before or at the time of interlock removal to avoid additional administrative requirements. Drivers over 21 may cancel the SIIRDL voluntarily; drivers under 21 must petition the court for permission per A.R.S. § 28-3320.

8. 8
   Confirm Full License Reinstatement

   After removal, verify in your AZ MVD Now account that the interlock notation has been removed from your driving record and that your full driving privileges have been restored. If any issues remain, contact the MVD directly to resolve them before driving without the device.

Why Your 16-Hour DUI Education Course Is the Key to Early Removal

If you are a first-time non-extreme DUI offender hoping to qualify for the 6-month early deferral, completing your 16-Hour DUI Education course is not optional — it is one of the non-negotiable requirements under A.R.S. § 28-3319. The MVD will not grant deferment until they receive confirmation of completion from an approved provider.

Many people make the mistake of waiting to enroll until after the interlock has been installed, or even until near the end of their requirement. That delay costs them weeks or months. The earlier you complete your education, the sooner you become eligible for deferment — and the sooner you can move forward.

Arizona DUI Services offers a fully online, MVD-approved 16-Hour DUI Education course with 24-hour access, meaning you can complete it at your own pace from home — in as little as one day if needed. Once complete, Arizona DUI Services reports directly to the MVD and your court, ensuring there are no paperwork delays that could push back your removal date.