Ohio ignition interlock & DUI requirements

What Ohio law requires

Ohio'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: Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.13

Ignition interlock requirement

For a first OVI conviction (R.C. 4511.19(G)(1)(a)), R.C. 4510.13(A)(5)(a)(i) provides that on or after the 16th day of the suspension 'the court may grant limited driving privileges, but the court may require' a certified ignition interlock device. Under R.C. 4510.022 a first-time offender may petition for unlimited driving privileges with a certified interlock, and if granted the court may reduce the suspension by up to half and must suspend the jail term. The interlock becomes mandatory ('shall require') for a first OVI only where the offender had a physical-control (R.C. 4511.194) conviction within ten years (§ 4510.13(A)(5)(a)(ii)). For a second OVI within ten years (§ 4511.19(G)(1)(b)), § 4510.13(A)(5)(e)(i) requires the court to order the interlock for the remainder of the suspension when the conviction is alcohol-related.

Approved interlock providers

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

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 Ohio does, the sources below say so.

The Ohio BMV First Offense OVI Suspension page enumerates the reinstatement requirements as: serve the suspension, pay a reinstatement fee, and 'Provide proof of insurance that covers through the length of the suspension'; an SR-22/bond filing is not among them. R.C. 4511.191(F)(1) likewise requires 'proof of financial responsibility, a policy of liability insurance in effect that meets the minimum standards' rather than an SR-22 certificate. The BMV SR-22/Bond page describes SR-22 filings and the BMV Non-Compliance (insurance) suspension page requires them for non-compliance suspensions; neither lists OVI as a trigger.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock mandatory after a first OVI conviction in Ohio?

Not automatically. Under R.C. 4510.13(A)(5)(a)(i), after the first 15 days of a first-offense OVI suspension the court may grant limited driving privileges and 'may require' that the offender drive only vehicles equipped with a certified ignition interlock device. A first-time offender may also petition under R.C. 4510.022 for unlimited driving privileges conditioned on an interlock.

What does Ohio's R.C. 4510.022 unlimited-privileges option do for a first-time offender?

R.C. 4510.022(C) lets a court grant a first-time OVI offender unlimited driving privileges with a certified ignition interlock device wherever it could grant limited privileges. If it does, the court may reduce the suspension by up to half the period imposed (§ 4510.022(C)(2)(b)) and shall suspend any jail term for the offense (§ 4510.022(C)(2)(c)); the BMV issues a restricted license once the installation certificate is presented (§ 4510.022(D)).

When is an interlock mandatory in Ohio?

R.C. 4510.13(A)(5)(e)(i) provides that for a second OVI within ten years (R.C. 4511.19(G)(1)(b)), if the conviction is alcohol-related the court 'shall issue an order' that for the remainder of the suspension the offender may not drive unless the vehicle has a certified interlock. The same 'shall' language applies to third and later offenses and to first offenses where the person had a physical-control conviction within ten years (§ 4510.13(A)(5)(a)(ii)).

What is the Ohio reinstatement fee after an OVI conviction or ALS?

R.C. 4511.191(F)(2) sets a license reinstatement fee of $315, and § 4511.191(F)(3) provides that ALS and OVI suspensions arising from a single incident require only one fee. The Ohio BMV fee table (last updated 4/30/2025) lists $315.00 for an ALS added on or after 4/9/25 and for an OVI/physical control suspension with a conviction date on or after 4/9/25. A $10 deputy registrar service fee applies if paid at a deputy registrar (§ 4511.191(F)(5)).

Who certifies ignition interlock devices in Ohio?

Under R.C. 4510.43(A)(1), the director of public safety certifies immobilizing and disabling devices and 'shall publish and make available to the courts, without charge, a list of licensed manufacturers of ignition interlock devices and approved devices.' Ohio Adm. Code 4501-45-03 and 4501-45-04 set the licensing and certification requirements, and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office maintains the approved manufacturers directory.

Sources

1. Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.13 - Limited driving privileges; ignition interlock conditions (Ohio Laws)
2. Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.022 - Petition for unlimited driving privileges with certified ignition interlock device
3. Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.43 - Director of public safety certification of immobilization and disabling devices
4. Ohio Rev. Code § 4510.45 - Licensing of ignition interlock manufacturers
5. Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.19 - Operating vehicle under the influence (OVI); penalties
6. Ohio Rev. Code § 4511.191 - Implied consent; reinstatement fee; indigent interlock fund
7. Ohio Adm. Code 4501-45-03 - Licensing requirements for manufacturers of ignition interlock devices
8. Ohio Adm. Code 4501-45-04 - Certification requirements for ignition interlock devices
9. Ohio BMV - Alcohol & Drug Suspensions (First Offense OVI Suspension, ALS)
10. Ohio BMV - Documents & Fees (Reinstatement Fees table)
11. Ohio BMV - Reinstatement Fees & Amnesty (SR-22/Bond section)
12. Ohio BMV - Non-Compliance (insurance) Suspension
13. Ohio Traffic Safety Office - Interlock Devices program page
14. Ohio Traffic Safety Office - Approved Manufacturers directory (JavaScript-rendered; directory rows not retrievable)
15. ODPS form OTS 0029 - Ignition Interlock Manufacturer Application for Device Certification
16. Ohio Traffic Safety Office - Approved Service Centers and Manufacturers (manufacturer directory; table data embedded in page source)