If you have been ordered to get an ignition interlock device and you are still waiting, you are not alone. Thousands of drivers drag their feet, sometimes for months or even years. On the surface it feels easier to delay, especially when you have heard rumors, horror stories, and confusing information about what happens after a DUI. But here is the truth, waiting is not making your life easier, it is making your path back to freedom longer.
Let’s talk about the real reasons people wait, the myths that keep them stuck, and why Clear2Drive is the fastest way to cut through the noise and get back on the road legally.
The rumor mill: Stories that scare people into waiting
First Ask around and you will hear wild stories. A friend of a friend had their car shut down at their wedding. Someone’s uncle swears he was locked out of his car because he had mouthwash after brushing his teeth. Stories spread fast, but here is what they leave out. Modern ignition interlock devices are more accurate, more user-friendly, and far less intrusive than the rumor mill makes them sound. Yes, you need to blow into it to start your car, but technicians show you exactly how to avoid errors.
At Clear2Drive, we train every driver before they leave the shop. No guessing, no surprise errors at the worst possible time.
The money myth: thinking the cost is unbearable
One of the biggest reasons people delay is fear of cost. Rumors swirl about thousands of dollars upfront. The truth is much less dramatic. Typical ignition interlock installation fees run about the cost of a night out, and monthly monitoring is closer to a streaming subscription than a mortgage payment. Many states, including California and Kansas, even have income-based assistance programs that reduce costs. Providers like Clear2Drive also offer payment plans.
Compare that to the cost of waiting. Daily rideshare trips, missed work shifts, or risking fines for driving suspended all add up to far more than the device itself. The rumor of “too expensive” keeps people trapped, but the reality is it is usually more affordable than not installing.
Paperwork paralysis: DMV confusion keeps people frozen
Another reason drivers wait is the maze of DMV instructions. One letter says call the court, another says call the DMV, and by the time you finally get someone on the phone, you are on hold until your lunch break is gone. It is easier to toss the letter in a drawer and tell yourself you will figure it out later.
Here is the problem. Later never comes, and the interlock requirement does not vanish while you avoid it. The only way forward is to tackle it directly. Clear2Drive helps by cutting through that paperwork confusion. We know the right office to call, the right forms to file, and the right timing to make sure your installation unlocks your restricted license as soon as possible.
The shame factor: not wanting to be seen using an IID
Blowing into a device to start your car can feel embarrassing, especially when you picture friends, family, or coworkers watching. This shame keeps people from installing, even if they are otherwise ready. But here is the perspective shift, most people are far more focused on their own day than what you are doing in your car. And more importantly, using the IID is a step toward responsibility and freedom. Every clean test is a step toward full license reinstatement.
Clear2Drive technicians walk you through discreet use and explain how quick the process really is. What feels like a huge deal in your head is usually just a few seconds at the wheel.
The false hope: thinking the problem will go away with time
Perhaps the most common myth is that waiting it out will make the requirement disappear. Some drivers convince themselves that if they ignore the letters long enough, the DMV will eventually give up. That is not how it works. In almost every state, the ignition interlock requirement does not even start until the device is installed and DL reinstated by DMV. If you had a 12 month requirement in 2018, you still have a 12 month requirement in 2025. The clock is frozen until you act.
This means every week you wait is just another week you are not moving closer to freedom. Installing today starts the countdown. Waiting keeps you stuck.
The hidden costs of waiting
Waiting feels easier in the moment, but it actually makes life harder. Here is what waiting really costs you:
– More money spent on rideshares, cabs, or bumming gas money from friends.
– Missed job opportunities because you cannot legally drive.
– Risk of new charges if you drive without a valid license or without an interlock.
– Emotional stress of constantly feeling stuck and avoiding letters or calls.
The choice is simple. Keep waiting and keep paying the hidden costs, or install and start moving toward your finish line.
The real path to freedom
The day you install your ignition interlock device and reinstate you DL is the day your clock starts ticking down. With your SR-22 insurance filed, many states let you apply for a restricted license immediately. That means you can legally drive to work, school, and appointments while the countdown runs in the background.
Instead of being frozen in place, you are logging sober miles, finishing your program, and moving toward full reinstatement.
How Clear2Drive makes it easier
Clear2Drive exists to break this cycle of waiting. We offer:
– Certified ignition interlock installation locations near you.
– Same day and next day appointments.
– Step by step paperwork guidance so you do not waste time on hold.
– Payment plans and help with assistance programs.
– Friendly training so you know exactly how to use your device without fear.
We have seen every kind of driver. People who avoided their DUI requirements for years, people who moved states hoping it would go away, people who thought the cost was
impossible. Every single one found out the same thing, it was easier and cheaper to install than to keep waiting.
Today’s action plan
If you are tired of waiting, today is the day to act. Call Clear2Drive and say you need an ignition interlock device installed today. We will match you with the closest shop, get your appointment on the books, and guide you through the DMV steps. The moment you install, the clock starts. The moment your proof is filed, your restricted license path opens. And the moment you take that first clean test, you are back on the path to freedom.
TL;DR
Rumors and horror stories keep people from installing an ignition interlock, but waiting only delays freedom. The requirement does not shrink with time, it just sits frozen until you act. Costs are manageable, paperwork is navigable, and Clear2Drive makes it simple. Call today, install today, and start driving legally again.
Sources
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Countermeasures That Work: Alcohol Ignition Interlocks, 2019 provider survey usage estimates and program best practices.
U.S. Government Accountability Office, Traffic Safety: Alcohol Ignition Interlocks Are Effective While Installed; Less Is Known about How to Increase Installation Rates, GAO-14-559.
National Conference of State Legislatures, States Identify Effective Ignition Interlock Countermeasures to Fight DUIs, including compliance-based removal and cost ranges.
Insurance Information Institute, DUI Costs and SR-22 Requirements, 2024.
