Is an ignition interlock required after a first DUI conviction in New Jersey?

Yes. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.17 (as amended by P.L.2023, c.191), the court shall order installation of an ignition interlock device for a first offender: 3 months where BAC was 0.08% to under 0.10%, 7 months to 1 year where BAC was 0.10% to under 0.15%, and during the license forfeiture period plus 12 to 15 months where BAC was 0.15% or higher.

How long must a repeat offender keep the interlock installed?

Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.17(b), a second or subsequent offender must have the device installed during the license forfeiture period and, after the license is returned, for not less than two years nor more than four years.

Which interlock providers are approved in New Jersey?

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission publishes an approved list of ignition interlock manufacturers and a separate list of licensed installers; per the MVC, only an installer licensed by the MVC may be used. The manufacturer list is at nj.gov/mvc/license/interlock-manufacturers.htm.

What is the fee to restore a New Jersey license after a DUI suspension?

The MVC Suspensions and Restorations page states that a $100 restoration fee is required for each privilege affected (registration and license). The MVC penalties table also lists a $1,000-per-year surcharge for three years for a DUI conviction.

What happens at the end of the interlock period?

Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.18(c), the device may be removed on the date the installation period ends only if the vendor certifies that during the final 30 days there was not more than one failed or missed test at 0.08% or higher (subject to a five-minute retest) and that all maintenance and monitoring requirements were met.

NJVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

New Jersey ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in New Jersey, cited to the statute and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.

IID on first offense: Required
Minimum IID period (first): 3 months
SR-22 filing: No
Reinstatement fee: $100

What New Jersey law requires

New Jersey'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: N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.17 (P.L.1999, c.417, s.2, as amended by P.L.2023, c.191)

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in New Jersey by offense
Item	New Jersey rule
IID on first offense	Required
Minimum IID period, first offense	3 months (BAC 0.08-<0.10%); 7 months to 1 year (BAC 0.10-<0.15%); license forfeiture period plus 12-15 months (BAC 0.15%+)
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	During license forfeiture plus not less than 2 years nor more than 4 years after license return

Under C.39:4-50.17 as amended by P.L.2023, c.191, the court shall order an ignition interlock device for every first offender: 3 months for BAC 0.08% to under 0.10% (or otherwise under the influence); not less than 7 months nor more than 1 year for BAC 0.10% to under 0.15%; and, for BAC 0.15% or higher, installation during the license forfeiture period plus 12 to 15 months after license return.

Approved interlock providers

Vendors listed here appear on the New Jersey 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: New Jersey agency vendor list

Approved interlock vendors in New Jersey
Vendor	Website	Location finder
A & A Interlock	A & A Interlock website	Find a location
Alcohol Detection Systems	Alcohol Detection Systems website	Find a location
Best Labs	Best Labs website	Find a location
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, Inc.	Roadguard, Inc. website	Find a location
Shark Unlock	Shark Unlock 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 New Jersey does, the sources below say so.

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

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission's Suspensions and Restorations page enumerates the DUI penalties and restoration requirements (fines; $230/day IDRC fee and 12-hour minimum IDRC program; $100 drunk driving fund and $100 AERF assessments; $75 Neighborhood Services Fund; $1,000/year surcharge for 3 years; ignition interlock device; license suspension; and the $100 restoration fee per privilege); an SR-22 or other insurance/financial-responsibility filing is not among the listed requirements. The MVC Insurance Requirements page lists only when the insurance ID card must be produced (inspection, accident, traffic stop, police spot check) and does not mention SR-22. A search of the NJ Legislature's official statute database (N.J. Legislative Statutes, updated through P.L.2025, c.405) for 'SR-22' returned no documents, and its Title 39 hits for 'proof of financial responsibility' (39:6-48, 39:6-55, 39:8-16, 39:8-45, 39:4-14.10) concern policy form, forgery, and business licensing rather than a post-DUI filing. New Jersey's restoration requirement on the MVC page is the $100 restoration fee plus surcharge/IDRC compliance.

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 New Jersey
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$100	2026-08-28
MVC driver license restoration fee	$100 (per privilege affected)	2026-08
DUI insurance surcharge (first and second offense), per MVC penalties table	$1,000/year for 3 years	2026-08
Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) fee, per MVC penalties table	$230/day	2026-08
Statutory DUI assessments per MVC penalties table	$100 to drunk driving fund; $100 to AERF; $75 to Neighborhood Services Fund	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock required after a first DUI conviction in New Jersey?: Yes. Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.17 (as amended by P.L.2023, c.191), the court shall order installation of an ignition interlock device for a first offender: 3 months where BAC was 0.08% to under 0.10%, 7 months to 1 year where BAC was 0.10% to under 0.15%, and during the license forfeiture period plus 12 to 15 months where BAC was 0.15% or higher.
How long must a repeat offender keep the interlock installed?: Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.17(b), a second or subsequent offender must have the device installed during the license forfeiture period and, after the license is returned, for not less than two years nor more than four years.
Which interlock providers are approved in New Jersey?: The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission publishes an approved list of ignition interlock manufacturers and a separate list of licensed installers; per the MVC, only an installer licensed by the MVC may be used. The manufacturer list is at nj.gov/mvc/license/interlock-manufacturers.htm.
What is the fee to restore a New Jersey license after a DUI suspension?: The MVC Suspensions and Restorations page states that a $100 restoration fee is required for each privilege affected (registration and license). The MVC penalties table also lists a $1,000-per-year surcharge for three years for a DUI conviction.
What happens at the end of the interlock period?: Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.18(c), the device may be removed on the date the installation period ends only if the vendor certifies that during the final 30 days there was not more than one failed or missed test at 0.08% or higher (subject to a five-minute retest) and that all maintenance and monitoring requirements were met.