Is an ignition interlock device required after a first DUI conviction in Connecticut?

Yes. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(1)(C), a first conviction carries a 45-day license suspension, and as a condition of restoration the person must install an ignition interlock device on each vehicle owned or operated and may drive only IID-equipped vehicles for one year after restoration.

How long is the IID period after a second Connecticut DUI conviction?

Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(2)(C), a second conviction within ten years requires an IID for three years following restoration; during the first year, driving is limited to work, school, treatment programs, an IID service center, or probation appointments.

Does a failed or refused chemical test also trigger an IID requirement?

Yes. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227b(i), the administrative per se suspension requires an IID as a condition of restoration: six months for a first suspension (age 21 or older, failed test), one year for a second, two years for a third; one year, two years, and three years for refusals. The CT DMV applies the longer of the per se period or the conviction period.

What fees does the Connecticut DMV charge to restore a license with an IID?

The CT DMV lists a $175 license reinstatement fee (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-50b) and a $100 IID administration fee. The DMV states there is no fixed cost for the device itself; vendors set their own prices.

Is there a reduced-cost IID option for low-income drivers in Connecticut?

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227o allows an IID provider to reduce or eliminate service charges for an indigent person who provides a valid participation card or Department of Social Services letter showing SNAP or LIHEAP participation. The CT DMV IID page describes the same documentation.

CTVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

Connecticut ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Connecticut, cited to the statute and the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

IID on first offense: Required
Minimum IID period (first): 1 year
SR-22 filing: No
Reinstatement fee: $175

What Connecticut law requires

Connecticut'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: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in Connecticut by offense
Item	Connecticut rule
IID on first offense	Required
Minimum IID period, first offense	1 year (conviction, § 14-227a(g)(1)); 6 months for a first administrative per se suspension (age 21+, failed test, § 14-227b(i)(2))
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	3 years (second conviction, § 14-227a(g)(2)); 1 year for a second administrative per se suspension (§ 14-227b(i)(2))

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(1)(C) makes IID installation a condition of license restoration after a first conviction, with a one-year IID period following restoration. Separately, the administrative per se suspension under § 14-227b(i) also requires an IID for restoration (six months for a first suspension, age 21+, failed test; one year for refusal or under-21). DMV applies whichever period is longer.

Approved interlock providers

Vendors listed here appear on the Connecticut 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: Connecticut agency vendor list

Approved interlock vendors in Connecticut
Vendor	Website	Location finder
Alcohol Detection Systems	Alcohol Detection Systems website	Find a location
ALCOLOCK	ALCOLOCK website	Find a location
Intoxalock	Intoxalock website	Find a location
LifeSafer	LifeSafer website	Find a location
Low Cost Interlock	Low Cost Interlock website	Find a location
RoadGuard Interlock	RoadGuard Interlock website	Find a location
Sensolock of America	Sensolock of America website	Find a location
Simple Interlock	Simple 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 Connecticut does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in Connecticut
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	No
Filing period	Not applicable

Discretionary, not mandatory. Connecticut has no statute or DMV rule that conditions DUI reinstatement on an SR-22 or other financial-responsibility filing. Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-112(a) lets the commissioner require proof of financial responsibility only 'when, in the opinion of the commissioner, such person has a record on file with the commissioner which is sufficient ... to require evidence of financial responsibility' (case-by-case; proof may be an insurance certificate, surety bond, or deposit under § 14-112(b)). The CT DMV 'Reinstate your CT driver's license after a suspension' page enumerates the reinstatement steps (complete the requirements on the suspension notice, the work-zone course if applicable, pay the $175 reinstatement fee plus any IID administration fee of $100, check license status) and the CT DMV IID Program page lists what is required to restore a license after an OUI/chemical-test suspension (install an IID through an approved vendor, pay the $175 reinstatement fee and $100 IID administration fee, serve the suspension); an SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing is not among the listed requirements.

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.

Post-DUI program costs in Connecticut
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$175	2026-08-28
License reinstatement (restoration) fee	$175 (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-50b; CT DMV)	2026-08
IID administration fee (CT DMV)	$100	2026-08
IID device cost	Not fixed by the state; set by vendors and paid directly to the vendor (CT DMV)	2026-08
Indigent discount	Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227o allows providers to reduce or eliminate charges for indigent persons who show SNAP or LIHEAP participation	2026-08
IID violation extension	DMV extends the IID requirement by 30 days for each reported violation (CT DMV)	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock device required after a first DUI conviction in Connecticut?: Yes. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(1)(C), a first conviction carries a 45-day license suspension, and as a condition of restoration the person must install an ignition interlock device on each vehicle owned or operated and may drive only IID-equipped vehicles for one year after restoration.
How long is the IID period after a second Connecticut DUI conviction?: Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)(2)(C), a second conviction within ten years requires an IID for three years following restoration; during the first year, driving is limited to work, school, treatment programs, an IID service center, or probation appointments.
Does a failed or refused chemical test also trigger an IID requirement?: Yes. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227b(i), the administrative per se suspension requires an IID as a condition of restoration: six months for a first suspension (age 21 or older, failed test), one year for a second, two years for a third; one year, two years, and three years for refusals. The CT DMV applies the longer of the per se period or the conviction period.
What fees does the Connecticut DMV charge to restore a license with an IID?: The CT DMV lists a $175 license reinstatement fee (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-50b) and a $100 IID administration fee. The DMV states there is no fixed cost for the device itself; vendors set their own prices.
Is there a reduced-cost IID option for low-income drivers in Connecticut?: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227o allows an IID provider to reduce or eliminate service charges for an indigent person who provides a valid participation card or Department of Social Services letter showing SNAP or LIHEAP participation. The CT DMV IID page describes the same documentation.