The ignition interlock limited permit in Georgia
Within 30 days of a DUI arrest, some Georgia drivers can choose an ignition interlock device limited permit instead of an ALS hearing. This page explains who DDS says is eligible, what it needs first, and what you give up by choosing it.
Last reviewed · Information, not legal advice
What the device is
DDS describes an ignition interlock device as a breath alcohol analyzer connected to the vehicle's ignition. The driver blows into it, and if the breath alcohol is over the preset limit, the vehicle will not start. DDS's Regulatory Compliance Division certifies and regulates the provider centers that install, maintain, recalibrate, and remove the devices.
Where the permit fits
After a DUI arrest with a DDS 1205 notice, DDS gives you 30 calendar days from the serve date to choose one option (see the ALS hearing guide):
- request an appeal (the ALS hearing),
- request an ignition interlock device limited permit,
- do nothing, in which case the suspension begins on the 46th day, or
- if you consented to the state test, possibly a non-interlock permit.
You may choose only one. Choosing the interlock permit waives the hearing.
Who DDS says can choose it
The DDS information sheet lists the factors as your age, your license status, and your driving record. Based on that sheet, the interlock permit is listed as an option for drivers who are:
- 21 or older, or will be 21 within 30 days of the serve date;
- holding a valid Georgia license, or an expired one with Georgia residency and eligibility to renew;
- with no active suspensions, cancellations, denials, or revocations on the Georgia license; and
- with no DUI conviction in the past five years, counted from the dates of the incidents.
The sheet does not list the interlock permit as an option for drivers under 21, drivers currently licensed in another state, or unlicensed drivers. For them, the listed options are the appeal or doing nothing.
What DDS needs before it issues the permit
DDS says it cannot issue the permit until:
- the DDS 1205 has been received by the department, and
- the ignition interlock device has been installed in the vehicle.
DDS adds that it is not financially responsible to customers who install a device and are then not eligible for the permit.
Finding a certified provider
Only DDS-certified provider centers may install devices for Georgia permits. DDS keeps the list of certified providers on its website. Providers serving Helen that ask to be listed appear under interlock in the directory. Ask each provider about installation and monthly costs, how often you must come in for calibration, and what happens after a failed test.
Costs to plan for
Interlock providers charge for installation, a monthly lease or service fee, regular calibration visits, and removal. Prices vary between providers, so ask several for a written quote. Ask too what happens after a failed or missed test, how often you must come in, and whether there are fees for lockouts. DDS also charges its own permit fee; check the current amount on the DDS website.
Questions to write down
- Am I eligible for the interlock permit, given my license and record?
- If I choose the permit, what happens to my right to an ALS hearing?
- How long must the device stay installed?
- What does the permit let me drive, and when?
DDS can answer questions about eligibility. A lawyer can help you weigh the permit against an ALS hearing.
Who cannot use it
DDS says drivers licensed in another state and drivers under 21 have only two choices after a DDS 1205: request an ALS hearing, or do nothing. The interlock permit is not available to them. A limited or interlock permit also does not let anyone drive a commercial motor vehicle; commercial drivers should ask DDS and a lawyer about their separate disqualification.
When the device comes off
The device stays on for the period DDS sets for your permit. Removing it early, or driving a vehicle without one while the permit restricts you to interlock-equipped vehicles, can lead to the permit being cancelled. Keep every service record the provider gives you, since you may need to show them to DDS.
Thinking about the choice
The hearing and the permit are mutually exclusive, and the choice has to be made within 30 days. A lawyer can look at your arrest paperwork and record and explain what each option means for you. Local DUI lawyers are in the directory.
Eligibility rules and program details can change; confirm with DDS before you install a device.
Find local help
Listings come from public records or from the business itself. A listing is not a recommendation.
Common questions
If I get the interlock permit, can I still have an ALS hearing?
No. Georgia law says getting the ignition interlock device limited permit waives the ALS hearing, and DDS says you may choose only one option.
Should I install the device before DDS approves me?
DDS says it cannot issue the permit until it has received the DDS 1205 and the device has been installed, and that it is not financially responsible to customers who install a device and turn out not to be eligible. Confirm eligibility with DDS first.
What happens to the permit if I am found not guilty?
Under O.C.G.A. § 40-5-67.1, if a driver with this type of permit is acquitted, or the charge ends other than by a conviction or nolo contendere plea, the permit is revoked and the license reinstated without a fee. A different rule applies to some permits tied to court-ordered monitoring; ask DDS or a lawyer which applies.
Sources
Official sources checked on October 28, 2026.