Is an ignition interlock required after a first DUI in South Carolina?

Yes, for violations dated on or after May 19, 2024. S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(A)(2) states that for a first offense a person 'shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941 ... and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license,' with the device required for six months. SCDMV states the IID is required to clear DUI/DUAC and felony DUI suspensions for such violations; § 56-1-400(E) provides the license otherwise remains suspended indefinitely.

How long must the device stay installed?

Under S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(A): six months for a first offense, two years for a second, three years for a third (four years if the third offense is within five years of the first), and for life for a fourth or subsequent offense. SCDPPPS states program time begins only when SCDMV issues the ignition interlock restricted license, and that points for violations can extend the term (§ 56-5-2941(E)).

Who runs the program and which devices are allowed?

S.C. Code § 56-5-2941(Q) provides that only devices certified by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may be used, that devices must be set to prevent starting at an alcohol concentration of .02 or more, and that SCDPPPS must maintain a current list of certified devices, manufacturers and installers. SCDPPPS's May 2024 brochure lists four manufacturers: A-1 Smart Start, Intoxalock, LifeSafer and Alcohol Detection Systems.

What does the state charge, and is help available for the device cost?

S.C. Code § 56-1-390 sets a $100 reinstatement fee per suspension and § 56-1-400(C) a $100 fee for the ignition interlock restricted license. Under § 56-5-2941(G) the service provider remits up to $30 per month to the Ignition Interlock Device Fund. Under § 56-5-2941(F), a person determined indigent by SCDPPPS may have initial installation and standard use paid from that fund; SCDPPPS's Financial Assistance page describes Form 1307 for that request.

Does South Carolina require an SR-22 after a DUI?

S.C. Code § 56-9-500 provides that when SCDMV suspends a license upon a record of conviction, no license may be issued until the person gives 'and thereafter maintain[s] proof of financial responsibility,' which under § 56-9-550 may be an insurer's certificate filed with SCDMV; § 56-9-620 allows cancellation after three years without a further qualifying conviction. SCDMV refers to this filing as a Certificate of Insurance (SR-22).

SCVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

South Carolina ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in South Carolina, cited to the statute and the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV); Ignition Interlock Device Program administered by the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services (SCDPPPS).

IID on first offense: Required
Minimum IID period (first): 6 months
SR-22 filing: Required · 3 yr
Reinstatement fee: $100

What South Carolina law requires

South Carolina'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: S.C. Code Ann. § 56-5-2941

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in South Carolina by offense
Item	South Carolina rule
IID on first offense	Required
Minimum IID period, first offense	6 months
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	2 years (second offense); 3 years for a third offense (4 years if within five years of the first); lifetime for a fourth or subsequent offense

For violations dated on or after May 19, 2024 (2023 Act No. 55, the 'All Offender Law'), S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(A)(2) provides that for a first offense a person 'shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941, end the suspension, and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license'; the person is not eligible for a provisional license. SCDMV states the IID 'will be required to install to clear DUI/DUAC and Felony DUI suspensions for violations dated on or after' May 19, 2024. Under § 56-1-400(E), a person who chooses not to install the device remains suspended indefinitely. Exceptions: § 56-5-2941(A)(1) exempts a person who took a breath test with an alcohol concentration of .00; a medical waiver (§ 56-5-2941(A)(2)) and an employer-vehicle exemption (§ 56-5-2941(L); § 56-1-400(G)) exist. For first-offense DUI with BAC below .15 and an offense date before May 19, 2024, SCDPPPS states participation is optional.

Approved interlock providers

Vendors listed here appear on the South Carolina 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: South Carolina agency vendor list

Approved interlock vendors in South Carolina
Vendor	Website	Location finder
Alcohol Detection Systems	Alcohol Detection Systems website	Find a location
Intoxalock	Intoxalock website	Find a location
LifeSafer	LifeSafer 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 South Carolina does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in South Carolina
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	Yes
Filing period	3 years

SR-22 (Certificate of Insurance). S.C. Code § 56-9-500 provides that whenever SCDMV suspends or revokes a license 'upon receiving a record of conviction,' the license and registration remain suspended and no license may be issued 'until he shall give and thereafter maintain proof of financial responsibility'; § 56-9-550 provides that proof may be furnished by the insurer's certificate filed with SCDMV, and § 56-9-620(1) allows cancellation of the proof three years after it was required if no further qualifying conviction occurred. SCDMV describes this filing as a 'Certificate of Insurance (SR-22)' filed by the insurance company and, for uninsured-driving suspensions, states it runs 'for three years starting with the date of suspension.' No SCDMV page located expressly enumerates DUI as an SR-22 trigger; the requirement is derived from the statute's application to conviction-based suspensions.

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 South Carolina
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$100	2026-08-28
License reinstatement fee per suspension (S.C. Code § 56-1-390; SCDMV 'Pay Reinstatement Fees')	$100	2026-08
Ignition interlock restricted license fee (S.C. Code § 56-1-400(C))	$100	2026-08
Monthly fee collected by the service provider and remitted to the Ignition Interlock Device Fund (S.C. Code § 56-5-2941(G) caps it at $30/month; SCDPPPS Program Procedures state the manufacturer collects $30.00)	up to $30 per month	2026-08
Indigent assistance: Ignition Interlock Device Fund may pay initial installation and standard use of the device for a person determined indigent by SCDPPPS (S.C. Code § 56-5-2941(F); SCDPPPS Form 1307)	cost of initial installation and standard use (six-month authorization periods per SCDPPPS Program Procedures)	2026-08
Alcohol and Drug Safety Action Program (ADSAP) cost caps (S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(C))	not more than $500 education / $2,000 treatment / $2,500 total	2026-08
Temporary alcohol license (TAL) fee while awaiting an implied-consent hearing (S.C. Code § 56-5-2951(B)(1)(c); SCDMV)	$100	2026-08
Provisional driver's license (first-offense DUI/DUAC, BAC .14 or less, violation date on or before May 18, 2024 only) and route-restricted license (SCDMV)	$100 each	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock required after a first DUI in South Carolina?: Yes, for violations dated on or after May 19, 2024. S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(A)(2) states that for a first offense a person 'shall enroll in the Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to Section 56-5-2941 ... and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license,' with the device required for six months. SCDMV states the IID is required to clear DUI/DUAC and felony DUI suspensions for such violations; § 56-1-400(E) provides the license otherwise remains suspended indefinitely.
How long must the device stay installed?: Under S.C. Code § 56-5-2990(A): six months for a first offense, two years for a second, three years for a third (four years if the third offense is within five years of the first), and for life for a fourth or subsequent offense. SCDPPPS states program time begins only when SCDMV issues the ignition interlock restricted license, and that points for violations can extend the term (§ 56-5-2941(E)).
Who runs the program and which devices are allowed?: S.C. Code § 56-5-2941(Q) provides that only devices certified by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services may be used, that devices must be set to prevent starting at an alcohol concentration of .02 or more, and that SCDPPPS must maintain a current list of certified devices, manufacturers and installers. SCDPPPS's May 2024 brochure lists four manufacturers: A-1 Smart Start, Intoxalock, LifeSafer and Alcohol Detection Systems.
What does the state charge, and is help available for the device cost?: S.C. Code § 56-1-390 sets a $100 reinstatement fee per suspension and § 56-1-400(C) a $100 fee for the ignition interlock restricted license. Under § 56-5-2941(G) the service provider remits up to $30 per month to the Ignition Interlock Device Fund. Under § 56-5-2941(F), a person determined indigent by SCDPPPS may have initial installation and standard use paid from that fund; SCDPPPS's Financial Assistance page describes Form 1307 for that request.
Does South Carolina require an SR-22 after a DUI?: S.C. Code § 56-9-500 provides that when SCDMV suspends a license upon a record of conviction, no license may be issued until the person gives 'and thereafter maintain[s] proof of financial responsibility,' which under § 56-9-550 may be an insurer's certificate filed with SCDMV; § 56-9-620 allows cancellation after three years without a further qualifying conviction. SCDMV refers to this filing as a Certificate of Insurance (SR-22).