• Interlock

    Florida Interlock Program

    Learn about the interlock's
    background and discover providers
    Here's the details.

  • Myths about Interlocks

    We've tackle the biggest myths
    about interlocks, so you don't
    have to.

  • FAQs

    Frequent Questions

    The popular questions people
    ask about the ignition interlock.

Welcome to FloridaIgnitionInterlocks.com

On July 1, 2003 Florida legislation went into effect mandating that many persons convicted of DUI install an ignition interlock device prior to seeking driver's license reinstatement. Ignition interlock devices are no longer discretionary sentencing options. Rather, this new body of law made the ignition interlock device a mandatory DHSMV administrative prerequisite to reinstating your privilege to drive.

How This Specialized Website Can Help You

FloridaIgnitionInterlocks.com is provided as a courtesy by the Law Offices of Russo & Russo, P.A. The Law Firm's more comprehensive criminal defense website can be found at www.defensehelp.com. Access our website dedicated just to DUI Defense at www.duistpetersburglawyer.com.

Attorneys Frank Russo and Marc Pelletier are former state prosecutors whose practice is limited to criminal and DUI cases arising out of the St. Petersburg / Clearwater / Pinellas County area.  These lawyers hold a host of specialized DUI credentials that include certification as Intoxilyzer operators andNHTSA certification in the proper administration of field sobriety testing.  Theirknowledge of Florida Ignition Interlock devicesand DUI legislation is extensive.

When Florida Ignition Interlock legislation was first introduced to the Pinellas County legal system, Attorney Frank Russo was called upon to present an Ignition Interlock Symposium designed to educate defense attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement, judges, and the local media on the ramifications of this sweeping new law. This website will provide you with a great deal of information on Florida's Ignition Interlock law, including:

blue bullet How Florida's Ignition Interlock device works
blue bullet Will I Be Required to Have an Ignition Interlock?
blue bullet Ignition Interlock Installation facilities in St. Petersburg / Clearwater
blue bullet Cost of Installing and Leasing an Ignition Interlock device in the Tampa Bay area
blue bullet How Long am I Required to Have an Interlock?
blue bullet Violations of Florida's Ignition Interlock Law
blue bullet Myths associated with Florida's Ignition Interlock Device
blue bullet The Background and History of Florida's Ignition Interlock Legislation
blue bullet What if I'm Caught Driving without an Interlock?
blue bullet Can an Interlock be "Cheated" or "By-Passed?"
blue bullet Will Anyone Know if My Breath Test Exceeds the Limit?

What are Interlocks?

  • Woman using interlock and car key

  • Its appearance looks innocent enough. A passerby might even conclude that the driver is simply holding a cell phone with a power cord connected to the dashboard cigarette lighter outlet. But... the driver knows otherwise. The standard ignition interlock device is an in-car breath screening apparatus that requires the driver to pass a breath-alcohol test before his motor vehicle will start.

    Typically, it is located inside the passenger compartment, near the driver’s seat, and hard wired to the engine’s ignition system. Once the driver blows into a mouthpiece, the device will determine if his breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) exceeds a pre-set limit. If the driver’s BrAC exceeds the prohibited level, the ignition interlock will effectively prevent the vehicle from being started.

    read more

  • Get help with a suspended license arrest

  • learn about multiple offender hardship licenses

MADD Interlock Demo



Video: Learn How to Operate an Ignition Interlock

Websites of Interest

About Russo & Russo






Pinellas County DUI & Criminal Defense Attorneys