South Carolina Ignition Interlock Device Questions

After you get a DUI in South Carolina, your driver’s license will be revoked.  You may apply for a restricted license, and you may be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) for a determined period of time. Once you receive this requirement, you may contact Smart Start to begin working towards regaining your unrestricted driver’s license.

Once you have scheduled your ignition interlock installation with Smart Start, you will need to bring the following to your ignition interlock installation appointment:

1. Cash or debit/credit card payment
2. Photo identification
3. A copy of your Order of Restricted Driver’s License
4. Information regarding your State authority
5. Vehicle registration (or, if you are installing on someone else’s vehicle, a letter of permission from the registered owner stating that you have permission to install an Ignition Interlock Device on the vehicle)

Smart Start will provide you with proof of installation, which you will need to send to your State authority so that you receive credit for your time with your Ignition Interlock Device (IID).

Smart Start devices are compliant with all state and federal requirements. In addition, our devices are tested and certified to meet the standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

If you violate during your time with the Ignition Interlock Device, you will be required to return to a Smart Start service center location for calibration and service within 72 hours of your violation.  You will incur an additional charge for this violation, and you may also be subject to an extension of the program.

The state of South Carolina requires that you service your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) once every 30 days.

If you have more than one DUI, you will most likely be asked to have your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed for a longer period of time.  Smart Start offers only month-to-month leasing, so the elongation or curtailing of your requirement period will not negatively affect pricing.

In order to remove your Ignition Interlock Device (IID) at a Smart Start service center in South Carolina, you will need authorization from the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services.

If you are required to maintain an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) as part of your bond conditions, the interlock device cannot be removed without court authorization or without proof that the bond conditions have been lifted or modified by the court.

If you do not own a vehicle, but you do have an ignition interlock requirement, the state of South Carolina will sometimes allow you to complete your requirement by installing an ignition interlock on a borrowed vehicle.  In order to do this, you will need a letter of permission from the registered owner of the borrowed vehicle stating that you have permission to install the Ignition Interlock Device (IID).  Smart Start frequently installs on borrowed vehicles, so this will not pose a problem at any of our service centers as long as you have the required documentation.

No, you will only need the Ignition Interlock Device installed on the vehicle you will be driving during your requirement.

South Carolina law states that you can service your Ignition Interlock Device at any of Smart Start’s more than 1,800 service center locations nationwide.

In the state of South Carolina, any and all of the following may constitute a violation:

1. Failure to return to the Smart Start service center for calibration within 30 days
2. Attempting to start your vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .02% or greater
   
3. Registering a blood alcohol level of .02% or greater during a rolling re-test
   
4. Skipping a rolling re-test
   
5. Tampering with or attempting to circumvent the device
   
6. Starting the vehicle without taking and passing a breath test

To install an Ignition Interlock Device on your vehicle or a family member’s vehicle voluntarily, click the chat window below, fill out our online form, or call 800-831-3299 to speak with one of our customer care advocates.  We’ll help you set up an installation appointment at a day and time that are most convenient for you.

The state of South Carolina requires all Ignition Interlock Devices to be equipped with a camera.  Smart Start will provide a compatible camera at the time of installation.

According to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, you can install the Ignition Interlock Device at any time, but your participation in the IID program begins when the South Carolina DMV issues you an ignition interlock restricted driver’s license.

No.  The camera is only there to take digital stills to accompany each breath test.

In the state of South Carolina, your State authority will either be the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services and or the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services lists specific requirements on its website.  However, Smart Start remains in compliance with both the South Carolina DMV and the South Carolina DPPPS, so you can rest assured that any interlock you install at our service centers will be compliant with your South Carolina ignition interlock requirement.

You must pay for calibration at the service center during your service appointment using cash, debit card, or credit card.

Smart Start of South Carolina will send a record of your service appointments to the State authority you specify at the time of installation at no additional cost to you.  Reports are downloaded and sent after each service appointment.

No, Smart Start’s Ignition Interlock Device will not hurt your vehicle.  However, vehicles with an older battery or poorly functioning alternator may experience issues while starting.

Motorcycle Ignition Interlock installation laws differ by state. Smart Start operates throughout the U.S. as a certified manufacturer and will work harder than other companies to provide you a seamless Interlock program that still follows your case requirements in the state of South Carolina. Please call our Customer Care Center at 800-831-3299 if you have any questions.

Yes, South Carolina state law requires that the Ignition Interlock Device be connected to your horn and lights.  However, this connection does not harm your vehicle in any way.