Is an ignition interlock device required after a first OUI in Maine?

No. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2508(1)(A-1), a person with one OUI offense may have the license reinstated after 30 days of the suspension if an approved ignition interlock device is installed for the time remaining. The Maine BMV states that installation of the device is voluntary for early restoration; otherwise the full 150-day suspension applies.

How long must a repeat offender keep the device?

The BMV states that a person with two OUI offenses may be reinstated after serving nine months of the three-year suspension if the person installs and maintains an approved device for two years; three offenses: after three years of a six-year suspension with the device for three years; four or more: after four years of an eight-year suspension with the device for four years.

What state fees apply to reinstatement with an interlock in Maine?

Under 29-A M.R.S. §2486(1-A), a $50 fee must be paid before an OUI suspension is terminated. Under §2508(1), a person reinstated with an ignition interlock pays an additional $50 administrative fee. The BMV also lists a $50 application fee for the ignition interlock petition.

Is there a reduced-cost program for the device?

Yes. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2508(1-A), a certified installer must reduce total fees and charges by at least 50% if the individual shows, using the most recent federal income tax return, an adjusted gross household income of not more than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for that family size.

Which vendors are approved in Maine?

The Maine BMV's Ignition Interlock Device Information page lists Alcohol Detection System, Intoxalock Ignition Interlock, LifeSafer, Sens-o-Lock of America, LLC, and Smart Start as vendors with installation sites in the state. The BMV states the device must be approved by the Secretary of State and that a petition must be approved before installation.

MEVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

Maine ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Maine, cited to the statute and the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Department of the Secretary of State).

IID on first offense: At the court's discretion
Minimum IID period (first): Remainder of the 150-day suspension after 30 days served
SR-22 filing: Repeat offenses only · 3 yr
Reinstatement fee: $50

What Maine law requires

Maine'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: 29-A M.R.S. §2508

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in Maine by offense
Item	Maine rule
IID on first offense	At the court's discretion
Minimum IID period, first offense	Remainder of the 150-day suspension after 30 days served (only if early reinstatement with an IID is elected)
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	2 years (second OUI: reinstatement after 9 months of the 3-year suspension with an IID for two years, per BMV)

Not mandatory for a first OUI. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2508(1)(A-1) and the BMV, a first offender's 150-day suspension may be shortened to 30 days if the person installs an approved ignition interlock device for the remainder of the suspension; the BMV states installation is voluntary for early restoration.

Approved interlock providers

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

Approved interlock vendors in Maine
Vendor	Website	Location finder
Alcohol Detection System	Alcohol Detection System website	Find a location
Intoxalock	Intoxalock website	Find a location
LifeSafer	LifeSafer website	Find a location
Sens-o-Lock of America, LLC	Sens-o-Lock of America, LLC 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 Maine does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in Maine
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	Repeat offenses only
Filing period	3 years (repeat offenses)

Mandatory for repeat OUI only. 29-A M.R.S. §1603(2): on receipt of the court record of an OUI conviction when the person has been previously convicted of OUI within a 10-year period, the Secretary of State may not reinstate the license until the person gives proof of financial responsibility; §1603(3) requires the proof to be maintained for at least 3 years after reinstatement. The BMV Motorist Handbook states that all 2nd and subsequent OUI offenders must demonstrate proof of liability insurance before their license is reinstated. A first OUI conviction is not a listed trigger: §1603(1) (discretionary suspension until proof is given) applies to violations 'other than OUI'. Proof may be given by filing an insurer's certificate with the Secretary of State (§1605(3)(A)); the BMV Financial Responsibility page refers to this as the Certificate of Insurance (SR-22). sr22Years = 3 (§1603(3)).

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 Maine
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$50	2026-08-28
License reinstatement fee for OUI or failure-to-submit suspension (29-A M.R.S. §2486(1-A))	$50	2026-08
Ignition interlock administrative fee on reinstatement (29-A M.R.S. §2508(1)), in addition to the §2486 fee	$50	2026-08
Ignition interlock petition/application fee (BMV)	$50	2026-08
Installer discount for household income at or below 150% of federal poverty guidelines (29-A M.R.S. §2508(1-A))	At least 50% reduction in total fees and charges	2026-08
Processing fee for paying a reinstatement fee online (BMV)	$5	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock device required after a first OUI in Maine?: No. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2508(1)(A-1), a person with one OUI offense may have the license reinstated after 30 days of the suspension if an approved ignition interlock device is installed for the time remaining. The Maine BMV states that installation of the device is voluntary for early restoration; otherwise the full 150-day suspension applies.
How long must a repeat offender keep the device?: The BMV states that a person with two OUI offenses may be reinstated after serving nine months of the three-year suspension if the person installs and maintains an approved device for two years; three offenses: after three years of a six-year suspension with the device for three years; four or more: after four years of an eight-year suspension with the device for four years.
What state fees apply to reinstatement with an interlock in Maine?: Under 29-A M.R.S. §2486(1-A), a $50 fee must be paid before an OUI suspension is terminated. Under §2508(1), a person reinstated with an ignition interlock pays an additional $50 administrative fee. The BMV also lists a $50 application fee for the ignition interlock petition.
Is there a reduced-cost program for the device?: Yes. Under 29-A M.R.S. §2508(1-A), a certified installer must reduce total fees and charges by at least 50% if the individual shows, using the most recent federal income tax return, an adjusted gross household income of not more than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines for that family size.
Which vendors are approved in Maine?: The Maine BMV's Ignition Interlock Device Information page lists Alcohol Detection System, Intoxalock Ignition Interlock, LifeSafer, Sens-o-Lock of America, LLC, and Smart Start as vendors with installation sites in the state. The BMV states the device must be approved by the Secretary of State and that a petition must be approved before installation.