SERIES: The Process to Remove My Smart Start Ignition Interlock (Part 5)

It’s near the end of your Ignition Interlock program, but you’re concerned with the next steps. You know your removal date, but you may not know if there’s any paperwork or authorization involved with your court and/or state. So, what’s the process to remove your Smart Start Ignition Interlock?

Here’s the list of states we go over in Part 5: New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Carolina.

Removing My Smart Start Ignition Interlock Device

If you don’t see your state, scroll to the bottom of this post for the other parts of our removal series.

Updated: March 2023

New Mexico

We will need permission to remove our Ignition Interlock.  To begin the process, please submit your Judgement & Sentencing Agreement to us by filling out our online removal form. Allow between two to three business days for processing. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the removal eligibility date or steps to follow.

New York

We will need permission to remove our Ignition Interlock. You or your monitoring authority can submit the authorization court order to remove your device by filling out our online removal authorization form. Allow one business day for processing. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the removal eligibility date or steps to follow.

North Carolina

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 monitoring authority to obtain removal verification. Please note that you will need to remove your Interlock in the state of North Carolina.

North Dakota

We will need permission to remove your device. You may submit the court or DMV order to remove to Smart Start 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 North Dakota!

Ohio and Oklahoma

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. Please 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. We recommend you contact your court monitoring authority to obtain removal verification.

Oregon

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. Please 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. Are you required to have an Ignition Interlock Certification for a 90-day or 6-month Review? Here’s how to request a review:

1. You must have already completed your 90 days or 6 months of service
2. You will need to have your End Date (your monitoring authority can provide this date)
3. Your Interlock must be serviced at least one day after this date
4. Then, fill out our online removal form. Please allow up to five to seven business days for processing. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the removal eligibility date or steps to follow.

Pennsylvania

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. Please keep in mind that if you remove early, your court requirements may be extended and/or driving privileges can be suspended and any fees paid will be non-refundable. You may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) at 800-932-4600 to check your removal date eligibility. You can also use this number to check the status or request a copy of the letter.To start the removal process, you will need a letter from PennDOT indicating you are eligible to obtain your driver’s license without the Ignition Interlock. Your Interlock must be serviced for the Final Download on or after the date on the letter. Once you have obtained the letter, please follow these steps to expedite the removal process:

1. Fill out our online removal form and attach a copy of the letter
2. Allow up to two to three business days for processing
3. A Customer Care Specialist will notify you of the steps to follow
4. Allow between 10 to 25 days for PennDOT to review and update your record
5. Upon receiving the unrestricted driver’s license, please send a copy of it to the above email address or fax number so your account can be approved for removal.
6. Then, you may contact your local Smart Start service center to schedule your removal appointment.

Rhode Island

Smart Start will need permission to remove our Ignition Interlock. You may contact the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at 401-462-0800 to check your removal date eligibility. You may submit your removal documents 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.

South Carolina

To help you stay in compliance, Smart Start will need approval to remove our Ignition Interlock. However, we will remove your device at your request at any time. Please 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. You may contact the South Carolina Probation, Parole and Pardons at 803-734-0019 to obtain authorization to remove your device, then contact your local Smart Start service center to schedule a removal appointment.

The Process to Remove 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