California ignition interlock & DUI requirements
Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in California, cited to the statute and the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
What California law requires
California's ignition interlock, SR-22, and reinstatement rules are set by the statute and agency rules cited below. The values in the tables on this page are taken from those sources and are not interpretations of how they apply to any particular case.
Primary source: Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3
Ignition interlock requirement
| Item | California rule |
|---|---|
| IID on first offense | At the court's discretion |
| Minimum IID period, first offense | Court-ordered: up to 6 months from conviction (court's discretion); otherwise optional IID-restricted license for up to 6 or 10 months (DMV) |
| Minimum IID period, repeat offense | 12 months (one prior within 10 years, § 23575.3(h)(1)(B)); 24 months with two priors; 36 months with three or more priors |
For a first non-injury DUI conviction (Veh. Code § 23152, punishable under § 23536), § 23575.3(h)(1)(A) provides that only one of the following may occur: the court MAY order an ignition interlock for a term it sets not to exceed six months from conviction; or the person may apply to DMV for an IID-restricted license under § 13352.4; or the person may apply for a restricted (to/from work and DUI program) license under § 13352(a)(1) or § 13352.1(c). DMV states: 'You are not required to install an IID unless the court orders you to do so.' The IID becomes mandatory for a first DUI causing injury (§ 23153, 12 months) and for repeat offenses. No BAC threshold changes the first-offense rule; § 23575.3 applies to violations on or after January 1, 2019.
Approved interlock providers
Vendors listed here appear on the California licensing agency's approved-device list. Listing order is alphabetical and is not a ranking or endorsement. Installation locations are on each vendor's own locator.
Official approved-vendor list: California agency vendor list
| Vendor | Website | Location finder |
|---|---|---|
| A Simple Interlock, LLC | A Simple Interlock, LLC website | Find a location |
| A&A Interlock, LLC | Listed on the agency list | — |
| Alcohol Detection Systems, Inc. | Listed on the agency list | — |
| ALCOLOCK | ALCOLOCK website | Find a location |
| Autosense International, Inc | Listed on the agency list | — |
| Best Labs, Inc. | Listed on the agency list | — |
| Clear2Drive | Listed on the agency list | — |
| Guardian Interlock | Guardian Interlock website | Find a location |
| Intoxalock | Intoxalock website | Find a location |
| LifeSafer | LifeSafer website | Find a location |
| Low Cost Interlock, Inc. | Low Cost Interlock, Inc. website | Find a location |
| RoadGuard Interlock | RoadGuard Interlock website | Find a location |
| Smart Start | Smart Start website | Find a location |
SR-22 requirement
An SR-22 is a certificate an insurer files with the state to confirm that a driver carries the liability coverage the state requires. Some states use an FR-44 or a different form for alcohol-related offenses; where California does, the sources below say so.
| SR-22 filing required after a DUI | Yes |
|---|---|
| Filing period | 3 years |
SR-22. DMV states a license is reinstated after a DUI suspension/revocation only on payment of the $125 reissue fee and filing proof of financial responsibility (insurance); the DMV DUI First Offenders flyer (DL 1046A) states 'You will be required to maintain the SR 22 for 3 years.'
Program costs
Fees set by the state are cited to the fee schedule. Vendor charges vary by vendor and are shown as published ranges with the month they were checked.
| Item | Amount | As of |
|---|---|---|
| License reinstatement fee | $125 | 2026-08-28 |
| Reissue fee to reinstate after a DUI suspension/revocation, incl. APS suspension (Cal. Veh. Code § 14905; DMV DUI page). $100 for under-21 Zero Tolerance suspensions | $125 | 2026-08 |
| Reissue fee plus restriction fee for a restricted license after a first DUI conviction (DMV flyer DL 1046A) | $55 reissue + $15 restriction | 2026-08 |
| Additional administrative service fees when subject to a mandatory IID restriction period (DMV Statewide IID Program page) | $103 | 2026-08 |
| Income-based IID cost schedule (Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(k)): offender pays 10% at or below 100% of federal poverty level; 25% at 101–200%; 50% at 201–300% or if receiving CalFresh; 90% at 301–400%; 100% otherwise; manufacturer pays the remainder | 10% / 25% / 50% / 90% / 100% | 2026-08 |
| SR-22 must be maintained for 3 years after a DUI (DMV flyer DL 1046A) | 3 years | 2026-08 |
Frequently asked questions
- Is an ignition interlock mandatory after a first DUI in California?
- Not automatically. Under Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(h)(1)(A), for a first non-injury DUI conviction the court may order an IID for up to six months, or the person may apply to DMV for an IID-restricted license under § 13352.4, or for a restricted license to drive to work and the DUI program. DMV's IID program page states a first offender is not required to install an IID unless the court orders it; a first DUI with injury requires 12 months.
- How long is the interlock term for repeat DUI offenders in California?
- Under Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(h)(1), a DUI conviction with one prior within 10 years carries a mandatory 12-month IID term, two priors 24 months, and three or more priors 36 months. For DUI causing injury (§ 23153), terms are 12, 24, 36, or 48 months depending on priors. Under § 23575.3(h)(4), the term begins after proof of installation and reinstatement or issuance of a restricted license.
- What does California charge to reinstate a license after a DUI?
- Cal. Veh. Code § 14905 sets a $125 fee before a license is reissued after an administrative (APS) suspension or revocation under §§ 13353 or 13353.2, and DMV states a license is reinstated after the suspension on payment of the $125 reissue fee and filing proof of financial responsibility. DMV's first-offender flyer lists a $55 reissue fee and $15 restriction fee for a post-conviction restricted license, and DMV notes $103 in additional administrative service fees for mandatory IID restrictions.
- Does California require an SR-22 after a DUI, and for how long?
- Yes. DMV states that reinstatement after a DUI suspension or revocation requires filing proof of financial responsibility (insurance), and its DUI First Offenders flyer (DL 1046A) states that full reinstatement requires proof of insurance (SR 22) and that the SR 22 must be maintained for 3 years.
- Is there help paying for an ignition interlock in California?
- Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(k) requires every DMV-certified IID manufacturer to adopt an income-based fee schedule: offenders at or below 100% of the federal poverty level pay 10% of standard program costs, 101–200% pay 25%, 201–300% (or CalFresh recipients) pay 50%, 301–400% pay 90%, and all others pay 100%; the manufacturer covers the remainder. DMV's IID program page reproduces this schedule.
Sources
- Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3 – ignition interlock device requirement for DUI convictions (California Legislative Information)
- Cal. Veh. Code § 14905 – $125 fee after administrative suspension/revocation (California Legislative Information)
- California DMV – Ignition Interlock Device List (approved manufacturers and BAIIDs)
- California DMV – Driving Under the Influence (DUI) (reissue fee, financial responsibility)
- California DMV – Statewide Ignition Interlock Device Program (first-offender rules, administrative service fees, income-based schedule)
- California DMV – DUI First Offenders, Alcohol Involved – Non-Injury, 21 and Older (flyer DL 1046A; SR-22 3 years, restricted-license fees)
- California DMV – Ignition Interlock Device Program FAQ (PDF)