What Is “VIOL LOCK” and How Do I Fix It?

If your SSI-20/30™ Ignition Interlock’s color display screen—or your user-friendly black-and-white SSI-20/20™ screen—reads “VIOL LOCK,” this means that your Ignition Interlock Device is in violation lockout.

Violation lockout is a state by which you have exhausted all of your violation points.  If you see a series of numbers following your “VIOL LOCK” notice, this means that you have entered a grace period wherein your Ignition Interlock Device must be calibrated and serviced at a Smart Start service center.  If you do not see a series of numbers following your “VIOL LOCK” notice, you may have exceeded the violation grace period, which means that your device will need to be serviced immediately.

This may sound grave, but don’t worry!  Smart Start is here for you.  While we are required to make sure you comply with state and local laws and regulations, we do want to make sure that we can help you in every way possible.  If a series of errors has led to a “VIOL LOCK” status, we allow you to obtain a one-time, six-hour unlock code.  You can obtain your unlock code by calling 1-800-880-3394 or by completing this ticket.  This one-time, six hour unlock code is Smart Start’s gift to you so you can avoid towing your vehicle to the service center.  However, once you have obtained and activated your unlock code, you have only six hours to drive your vehicle to the nearest Smart Start service center so that your Ignition Interlock Device may be properly serviced.

While we would like to offer these codes to everyone, we must comply with state regulations.  There are some states that do not allow Smart Start to provide you with a unlock code.  If you live in Oklahoma or Washington, we are not authorized to provide you with a unlock code, and your vehicle must be towed to the nearest service center.  If you live in the state of Kentucky, you will only have three hours to service your device following unlock code entry.  Lastly, if you live in Missouri, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas, or Iowa, you will need to contact a different office to obtain your unlock code.  Here are those phone numbers for your reference:

Michigan & Wisconsin: Call 888-234-0198.

Nebraska, Kansas, & Iowa:  Call (800) 831-3299.

Missouri:  Call 800-246-3631.

Smart Start understands that completing your restricted driving program can sometimes feel difficult and stressful, but we are here to help in any way we can.  We also encourage you to be proactive in your program!  If you don’t know how many violation points you have acquired, you can check that number by pressing “#” and then “3” on your user-friendly keypad.  Smart Start–we’re here for you.