When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction, state by state?
Every state’s answer, and the District of Columbia’s, from its own manual or code: 36 have a rule on this, quoted below with where it is written; 15 say nothing on it.
Statutes fetched between 6 and 9 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
| State | The rule | Where it is written | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | (i)(1) When the court imposes the use of an ignition interlock device as required by Section 32-5A-191, the court shall require that the person provide proof of installation of a device to the court or a probation officer within 30 days of the date the defendant becomes eligible to receive an ignition interlock-restricted license from the agency. If the person fails to provide proof of installation within that period, absent a finding by the court of good cause for that failure which is entered into the court record, the court may revoke the person’s probation where applicable after a petition to revoke probation has been filed and the defendant has been given notice and an opportunity to be heard on the petition. The court in which the defendant is convicted shall notify the agency that the defendant is restricted to the operation of a motor vehicle only when an approved ignition interlock device is installed and properly operating. Nothing in this subsection shall permit a person who does not own a vehicle or otherwise have an ignition interlock device installed on a motor vehicle to operate a motor vehicle without an approved ignition interlock device installed and properly operating. | Alabama law, Ala. Code § 32-5A-191.4(i) | 6 Oct 2026 |
| Alaska | After a DUI or Refusal conviction in Alaska, an ignition interlock device is required on any vehicle you operate. | Alaska Driver Manual, p.23 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| California | A driver convicted of a DUI may be required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle. | California Driver’s Handbook, p.74 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Colorado | (a) The following persons shall hold an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section for at least one year following reinstatement prior to being eligible to obtain any other driver's license issued under this article: (I) A person whose license has been revoked for excess BAC pursuant to the provisions of section 42-2-126 when the person's BAC was 0.15 or more at the time of driving or within two hours after driving or whose driving record otherwise indicates a designation of persistent drunk driver as defined in section 42-1-102 (68.5); (II) A person whose privilege to drive was revoked as an habitual offender under section 42-2-203 in which the revocation was due in part to a DUI, DUI per se, or DWAI conviction; or (III) A person whose privilege to drive was revoked for interlock circumvention pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of subsection (7) of this section. | Colorado law, C.R.S. § 42-2-132.5(1)(a) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Connecticut | (g) Penalties for operation while under the influence. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j; (2) for conviction of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer; and (3) for conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person's revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under the provisions of either subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, a conviction under the provisions of section 14-227m, a conviction under the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, a conviction under the provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, section 14-227m, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense. | Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Delaware | (2) An offender covered under paragraph (d)(1) of this section must have the IID installed on each vehicle the offender will, or does, operate during the period under § 4177C(d)(4) of this title before the Secretary is authorized to reinstate that person’s driver’s license or driving privileges, regardless of whether the vehicle is owned by the person. | Delaware law, 21 Del. C. § 4177G(d)(2) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| District of Columbia | (b) Except as provided in §§ 50-2206.13(d-1), 50-2206.15(c-1), and 50-2206.55(a-1)(2), a person who holds a driver's license issued by the District and commits a covered offense shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock System Program ("Program") established by this section for: (1) Upon the first commission of a covered offense, a period of 6 months; (2) Upon the second commission of a covered offense, a period of one year; and (3) Upon the third or subsequent commission of a covered offense, a period of 2 years. | District of Columbia law, D.C. Code § 50-2201.05a(b) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Idaho | An ignition interlock restriction will likely be required after the suspension for a DUI conviction. | July 2026 Idaho Driver's Handbook, p.132 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Illinois | (h) The Secretary of State shall require the use of ignition interlock devices for a period not less than 5 years on all vehicles owned by a person who has been convicted of a second or subsequent offense under Section 11-501 of this Code or a similar provision of a local ordinance. The person must pay to the Secretary of State DUI Administration Fund an amount not to exceed $30 for each month that he or she uses the device. The Secretary shall establish by rule and regulation the procedures for certification and use of the interlock system, the amount of the fee, and the procedures, terms, and conditions relating to these fees. During the time period in which a person is required to install an ignition interlock device under this subsection (h), that person shall only operate vehicles in which ignition interlock devices have been installed, except as allowed by subdivision (c)(5) or (d)(5) of this Section. Regardless of whether an exemption under subdivision (c) (5) or (d) (5) applies, every person subject to this subsection shall not be eligible for reinstatement until the person installs an ignition interlock device and maintains the ignition interlock device for 5 years. | Illinois law, 625 ILCS 5/6-205(h) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Indiana | A court may require an ignition interlock device, which tests the driver's blood alcohol before the car will start. | Indiana Driver's Manual, p.24 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Iowa | 1. If a defendant is convicted of a violation of section 321J.2 and the defendant’s driver’s license or nonresident operating privilege has not been revoked under section 321J.9 or 321J.12 for the occurrence from which the arrest arose, the department shall revoke the defendant’s driver’s license or nonresident operating privilege for one hundred eighty days if the defendant submitted to chemical testing and has had no previous conviction or revocation under this chapter and shall revoke the defendant’s driver’s license or nonresident operating privilege for one year if the defendant refused to submit to chemical testing and has had no previous conviction or revocation under this chapter. The department shall require the defendant to install an ignition interlock device of a type approved by the commissioner of public safety on all vehicles operated by the defendant if the defendant seeks a temporary restricted license. | Iowa law, Iowa Code § 321J.4(1) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Kentucky | (3) When the court orders the suspension of a license pursuant to: (a) Subsection (1)(a) of this section, the court may, in addition to any other conditions the court may order, require that the person apply to the Transportation Cabinet for issuance of an ignition interlock license under KRS 189A.340 for the period of the suspension; (b) Subsection (1)(b) or (c) of this section, the court shall, in addition to any other conditions the court may order, require that the person apply to the Transportation Cabinet for issuance of an ignition interlock license under KRS 189A.340 for the period of suspension; and (c) Subsection (1) of this section and the person is required to apply for an ignition interlock license pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) of this subsection, the person shall present the completed ignition interlock license application to the court. | Kentucky law, KRS 189A.200(3) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Louisiana | (i) Upon first conviction, if the offender had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or greater, his driver's license shall be suspended for two years, and the offender shall be issued a restricted driver's license for the entire period of the suspension after the offender has provided proof to the department that his motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device. A functioning ignition interlock device shall remain installed on his vehicle during the period of the suspension of his driver's license. | Louisiana law, La. R.S. 32:414(A)(1) | 7 Oct 2026 |
| Maine | A-1. The license of a person with one OUI offense may be reinstated after 30 days of the suspension period has been served if the person has installed for the length of time remaining for the suspension an ignition interlock device approved by the Secretary of State in the motor vehicle the person operates. | Maine law, 29-A M.R.S. § 2508(1)(A-1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Maryland | 4. § 21–902(d) of this article of driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while impaired by a controlled dangerous substance. (2) In the notice of proposed revocation, the Administration shall advise an individual who is convicted under § 21–902(a) of this article that the individual, if eligible, is required to participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program for the following periods: (i) 6 months the first time the individual is required to participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program; (ii) 1 year the second time the individual is required to participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program; and (iii) 3 years the third or any subsequent time the individual is required to participate in the Ignition Interlock System Program. | Maryland law, Md. Code, Transp. § 16-205(a)(1)–(2) | 6 Oct 2026 |
| Massachusetts | A driver with two or more operating under the influence offenses who becomes eligible for a hardship license or reinstatement must have an Ignition Interlock Device. | Massachusetts Driver's Manual, p.73 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Michigan | (h) Beginning October 31, 2010, the department shall order an individual convicted of violating section 625(1)(c) not to operate a motor vehicle under a restricted license issued under subdivision (g) unless the vehicle is equipped with an ignition interlock device approved, certified, and installed as required under sections 625k and 625l. The ignition interlock device may be removed after the interlock device provider provides the department with verification that the individual has operated the vehicle with no instances of reaching or exceeding a blood alcohol level of 0.025 grams per 210 liters of breath. This subdivision does not prohibit the removal of the ignition interlock device for any of the following: | Michigan law, Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.319(8)(h) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Minnesota | (2) if the person has one qualified prior impaired driving incident within the past 20 years, or two or more qualified prior impaired driving incidents, until the commissioner determines that the person used an ignition interlock device in compliance with section 171.306 for the period of time described in subdivision 8. | Minnesota law, Minn. Stat. § 171.178, subd. 5(a)(2) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Missouri | An ignition interlock device must be kept for at least six months from the date of reinstatement where a driver has more than one intoxication-related contact, a BAC of .15% or higher, or caused property damage or bodily harm. | Missouri Driver Guide, p.70 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Montana | (b) if recommending that a probationary license be issued to the person, restrict the person to driving only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device during the probationary period and require the person to pay the reasonable cost of leasing, installing, and maintaining the device; or | Montana law, Mont. Code Ann. § 61-8-1010(2)(b) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Nebraska | (b) As an alternative to subdivision (1)(a) of this section, the court shall order the convicted person, in order to operate a motor vehicle, to obtain an ignition interlock permit and install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by the convicted person if he or she was sentenced to an operator's license revocation of at least one year. If the person's operator's license has been revoked for at least a one-year period, after a minimum of a forty-five-day no driving period, the person may operate a motor vehicle with an ignition interlock permit and an ignition interlock device pursuant to this subdivision and shall retain the ignition interlock permit and ignition interlock device for not less than a one-year period or the period of revocation ordered by the court, whichever is longer. No ignition interlock permit may be issued until sufficient evidence is presented to the department that an ignition interlock device is installed on each vehicle and that the applicant is eligible for use of an ignition interlock device. If the person has an ignition interlock device installed as required under this subdivision, the person shall not be eligible for reinstatement of his or her operator's license until he or she has had the ignition interlock device installed for the period ordered by the court. | Nebraska law, Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,197.01(1)(b) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Nevada | 9. If the Department receives a copy of an order requiring a person to install an ignition interlock device in a motor vehicle pursuant to NRS 484C.460, the Department shall issue an ignition interlock privilege to the person after he or she submits proof of compliance with the order. A person who is required to install an ignition interlock device pursuant to NRS 484C.210 or 484C.460 shall install the device not later than 14 days after the date on which the order was issued. A driver who violates any condition of an ignition interlock privilege issued pursuant to this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished in the same manner provided in subsection 2 of NRS 483.560 for driving a vehicle while a driver’s license is cancelled, revoked or suspended. | Nevada law, NRS 483.490(9) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| New Mexico | O. Upon a conviction pursuant to this section, an offender shall be required to obtain an ignition interlock license and have an ignition interlock device installed and operating on all motor vehicles driven by the offender, pursuant to rules adopted by the bureau. Unless determined by the bureau to be indigent, the offender shall pay all costs associated with having an ignition interlock device installed on the appropriate motor vehicles. The offender shall operate only those vehicles equipped with ignition interlock devices for: (1) a period of one year, for a first offender; (2) a period of two years, for a second conviction pursuant to this section; (3) a period of three years, for a third conviction pursuant to this section; or (4) the remainder of the offender's life, for a fourth or subsequent conviction pursuant to this section. | New Mexico law, NMSA 1978, § 66-8-102(O) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| New York | Courts must order all persons convicted of driving while intoxicated or aggravated driving while intoxicated to install and maintain an ignition interlock on any vehicle they own or operate for at least 12 months. | New York State Driver's Manual, p.59 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| North Carolina | A DWI conviction with a BAC of 0.15 or more, or another DWI conviction within the past seven years, requires an ignition interlock device on the vehicle. | North Carolina Driver Handbook, p.32 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Ohio | (i) If the underlying conviction is alcohol-related, the court shall issue an order that, except as provided in division (C) of section 4510.43 of the Revised Code, for the remainder of the period of suspension the offender shall not exercise the privileges unless the vehicles the offender operates are equipped with a certified ignition interlock device. (ii) If the underlying conviction is drug-related, the court in its discretion may issue an order that, except as provided in division (C) of section 4510.43 of the Revised Code, for the remainder of the period of suspension the offender shall not exercise the privileges unless the vehicles the offender operates are equipped with a certified ignition interlock device. | Ohio law, Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.13(A)(5) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Oregon | (1) At the end of the suspension or revocation resulting from a conviction for driving while under the influence of intoxicants in violation of ORS 813.010 or of a municipal ordinance, the Department of Transportation shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges of a person who has not submitted proof to the department that an ignition interlock device has been installed in any vehicle operated by the person or who tampers with an ignition interlock device after it has been installed. | Oregon law, ORS 813.620(1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Rhode Island | (1) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day (30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for three (3) months to one year. | Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(b)(1) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Tennessee | A person with 2 DUIs in a 5-year period must drive with an ignition interlock device for 6 months after their driving privileges are reinstated. | Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.82 | 14 Sep 2026 |
| Texas | (a) Subject to Subsection (b-1), the judge shall restrict the person to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device if: (1) the person is currently under an order restricting the person to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device, including an order imposed as a condition of bond; or (2) the person's license has been suspended, revoked, or canceled after a conviction for an offense under Sections 49.04-49.08, Penal Code. | Texas law, Tex. Transp. Code § 521.246(a) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Vermont | (2) In the case of a second suspension, a license or privilege to operate shall not be reinstated until: (A) the individual has successfully completed an alcohol and driving rehabilitation program; (B) the individual has completed or shown substantial progress in completing a therapy program at the individual’s own expense agreed to by the individual and the Driver Rehabilitation Program Director; (C) after the individual operates under an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate for 18 months or, in the case of someone subject to the one-year hard suspension prescribed in subdivision 1213(a)(1)(C) of this title, for one year, plus any extension of the relevant period arising from a violation of section 1213 of this title, except if otherwise provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection (a); and | Vermont law, 23 V.S.A. § 1209a(a)(2) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Virginia | F. The offender shall be ordered to provide the appropriate ASAP program, within 30 days of the effective date of the order of court, proof of the installation of the ignition interlock system, and, if applicable, proof that the offender is using a remote alcohol monitoring device. The Program shall require the offender to have the system and device monitored and calibrated for proper operation at least every 30 days by an entity approved by the Commission under the provisions of § 18.2-273.9 and to demonstrate proof thereof. The offender shall pay the cost of leasing or buying and monitoring and maintaining the ignition interlock system and the remote alcohol monitoring device. Absent good cause shown, the court may revoke the offender's driving privilege for failing to (i) timely install such system or use such device or (ii) have the system or device properly monitored and calibrated. | Virginia law, Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-270.1(F) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Washington | (d) Postconviction. After any applicable period of mandatory suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges, or upon fulfillment of day-for-day credit under RCW 46.61.5055(9)(b)(ii) for a suspension, revocation, or denial of driving privileges: | Washington law, RCW 46.20.720(1)(d) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| West Virginia | (d) Notwithstanding any provision of the code to the contrary, a person shall participate in the program if the person is convicted under §17C-5-2 of this code or the person’s license is revoked under §17C-5A-2 or §17C-5-7 of this code and the person was previously either convicted or his or her license was revoked under any provision cited in this subsection within the past 10 years. The minimum revocation period for a person required to participate in the program under this subsection is one year and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is two years, except that the minimum revocation period for a person required to participate because of a violation for driving while under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent, or more, by weight, but less than 0.08 percent, or more, by weight, is two months and the minimum period of participation is one year. The division shall add an additional two months to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device if the offense was committed while a minor was in the vehicle. The division shall add an additional six months to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device if a person other than the driver received injuries. The division shall add an additional two years to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device if a person other than the driver is injured and the injuries result in that person’s death. The division shall add one year to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device for each additional previous conviction or revocation within the past 10 years. Any person required to participate under this subsection must have an ignition interlock device installed on every vehicle he or she owns or operates. | West Virginia law, W. Va. Code § 17C-5A-3a(d) | 9 Oct 2026 |
| Wisconsin | 2. The person violated s. 346.63 (1) or (2), 940.09 (1), or 940.25 and either of the following applies: a. The person had an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more at the time of the offense. b. The person has a total of one or more prior convictions, suspensions, or revocations, counting convictions under ss. 940.09 (1) and 940.25 in the person’s lifetime and other convictions, suspensions, and revocations counted under s. 343.307 (1). (am) A court shall order one or more of the following: | Wisconsin law, Wis. Stat. § 343.301(1g)(a)–(am) | 8 Oct 2026 |
| Wyoming | On a first DWUI, a BAC of .15% or greater at arrest means you must hold an ignition interlock restricted driver license. | Wyoming Rules of the Road Driver License Manual, p.20 | 14 Sep 2026 |
Download this comparison as CSV
No rule found
No rule found in the manual or code of: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah.
Monthly: what changed in state driving law. Get it by email
Ask a question across every state
The ask box answers “When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?” for every state at once when Nationwide is ticked: each state’s figure from its own manual or code, cited, and the states that say nothing named.