SERIES: How Do I Remove My Ignition Interlock? (Part 6)

Is it nearly the end of your required Ignition Interlock Device requirement? Check for your state below to read what you must do before you get your Smart Start Ignition Interlock removed.

Here are the states in Part 6: South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. If you’re not in these states, scroll to the bottom of this post and check the other parts of this series.

Updated: March 2023

South Dakota

We will need permission to remove your Ignition Interlock. You may submit the court or DMV order to remove by filling out our online removal form. Allow one business day for processing. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the removal eligibility date or steps to follow. Smart Start currently does not operate in South Dakota!

Tennessee

To help you stay in compliance, we will need approval to remove our Ignition Interlock. Keep in mind that if your device is removed early, your court requirements may be extended and any fees paid will be non-refundable. You can check the status of your license and removal date eligibility by visiting the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s Driver Services page.

Bond or Probation Requirement
Smart Start will need permission to remove your device. You or your State Authority need to submit your disposition or court orders with the terms of your Ignition Interlock to TNRemoval@smartstartinc.com. Then, contact your Smart Start service center after the removal eligibility date to schedule a removal appointment.

DMV – Arrested before 06/30/16
You will need to obtain your driver’s license without the restrictions (#16 and/or #15) from the DMV. Once obtained, please email TNRemoval@smartstartinc.com before contacting your Smart Start service center to schedule a removal appointment.

DMV – Arrested and Convicted on or after 07/01/16
You will receive a Final Calibration Letter from TNRemoval@smartstartinc.com within 3 business days after day 366 of the Ignition Interlock program. Be advised, if you are a multiple offender, you will be required to maintain the device longer than 365 days.

Once you obtained the letter, please bring it to your local Smart Start service center to have your device serviced for the Final Download.  Your information from the final download will be shared with the DMV. Smart Start will contact you via email once the DMV approves the removal.  Upon receiving the email with the Authorization Removal form,  you may contact your local Smart Start service center to schedule the removal appointment.

Please make sure that a valid email address is on file for your account.

Texas

Smart Start will need permission to remove our Ignition Interlock. Your State Authority may submit the authorization court order to remove your device by filling out our online removal form. Allow one business day for processing. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the removal eligibility date or steps to follow.

Utah

To help you stay in compliance, we will need approval to remove our Ignition Interlock. If you remove your device early, your driving privileges can be suspended, and any fees paid will be non-refundable. We recommend you contact your court State Authority to obtain removal verification. Please note that you will need to remove your Ignition Interlock in the state of Utah.

Vermont

Smart Start will need permission to remove our Ignition Interlock. You may contact the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at 802-828-2061 to check the status or request a copy of the Removal Authorization letter. You may submit your removal document by filling out our online removal form. Allow one business day for processing. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the removal eligibility date or steps to follow.

Virginia

We will need permission to remove our Ignition Interlock. You may contact your State Authority to obtain permission.  You or your State Authority may submit the removal document by filling out our online removal form. Allow one business day for processing. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the removal eligibility date or steps to follow.

Washington

To help you stay in compliance, we will need approval to remove our Ignition Interlock. However, we will remove your device at your request at any time. Keep in mind that if you remove your device early, your court requirements may be extended and/or driving privileges can be suspended and any fees paid will be non-refundable.

DMV or License Suspensions
If you need a 4-Month or 180-Day Compliance review, you will need to obtain your End Date from the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) at 360-902-3900 or CustomerCare@dol.wa.gov. Your device will need to be serviced on or after the End Date. Once you have serviced your device, please follow these steps to expedite the removal process:

1. Email Smart Start at WARemoval@smartstartinc.com
2. Make your email subject-line: “WA 4Month or 180-day – client’s full name, date of birth and End Date”
3. Allow up to three to five business days for processing
4. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the steps to follow
5. Allow three to five business days for DOL to review and update your records
6. Check with the DOL on removal status
7. Once you obtain authorization to remove, you may contact your local Smart Start service center to schedule the removal appointment

West Virginia

Smart Start will need permission to remove our Ignition Interlock in West Virginia. You may contact the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at 304-926-2507 to check your removal date eligibility and any pending prerequisites. Upon receiving authorization, you may contact your local Smart Start service center to schedule the removal appointment.

Wisconsin and Wyoming

To help you stay in compliance, we will need approval to remove our Ignition Interlock. However, we will remove your device at your request at any time. Keep in mind that if you remove your device early, your court requirements may be extended and/or driving privileges can be suspended and any fees paid will be non-refundable. Upon receiving authorization, you may contact your local Smart Start service center to schedule the removal appointment.

Removing My Ignition Interlock Series

Part 1: A general Ignition Interlock removal guide.

The proper removal process for your Interlock program broken down by state:

Part 2: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida and Georgia

Part 3: Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine and Maryland

Part 4: Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey

Part 5: New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina

Part 6: South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming