How long must the interlock stay installed in Texas?

Under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42A.408(f), when ordered as a community-supervision condition the device must remain installed for not less than 50 percent of the supervision period, and evidence of installation is due within 30 days of conviction. Under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.246(d), an interlock ordered with an occupational license remains installed for the duration of the suspension period unless the court finds good cause for removal.

Does Texas require an SR-22 after a DWI, and for how long?

Texas DPS states that a person convicted of DWI must obtain a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) from an authorized insurance company and that the SR-22 must be maintained for two years from the date of conviction. DPS also lists a $100 reinstatement fee in addition to any other outstanding fees.

What does a Texas interlock-restricted license cost?

Under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2465(a), on application and payment of a $10 fee DPS issues a special restricted license indicating the person may operate only a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. DPS's FAQ states the $10 interlock license fee may be paid online on the License Eligibility page or by mail, and that all reinstatement fees must be paid before an interlock license is issued.

Who approves ignition interlock devices in Texas?

Under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2476, DPS sets minimum standards for interlock vendors by rule, and art. 42A.408(g) directs DPS to approve devices. DPS's Regulatory Services Division publishes an Approved Ignition Interlock Devices list (revised December 2025) and states that all court-ordered installations must be performed by Department-certified service centers.

TXVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

Texas ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Texas, cited to the statute and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

IID on first offense: Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period (first): When ordered as a community-supervision condition
SR-22 filing: Required · 2 yr
Reinstatement fee: $100

What Texas law requires

Texas'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: Tex. Transp. Code § 521.246

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in Texas by offense
Item	Texas rule
IID on first offense	Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period, first offense	When ordered as a community-supervision condition: not less than 50 percent of the supervision period (art. 42A.408(f)); when ordered with an occupational license: the duration of the period of suspension (§ 521.246(d))
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	Mandatory for repeat offenders; not less than 50 percent of the community-supervision period (art. 42A.408(c)(3), (f)), or the duration of the license suspension for an occupational license (§ 521.246(d))

Threshold: alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more. Under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42A.408(b), for a DWI defendant placed on community supervision the court 'may' require an ignition interlock as a condition; under art. 42A.408(c) the court 'shall' require it if the trial showed an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more, if the defendant is punished as a repeat offender under Penal Code § 49.09(a) or (b), or if the defendant has a prior conviction within 10 years (art. 42A.408(d)). Separately, under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.246(a)(2), a judge granting an occupational license to a person whose license was suspended after a DWI conviction shall restrict the person to an interlock-equipped vehicle, subject to waiver under § 521.246(b-1); art. 42A.408(e)-(e-1) also mandate the device for defendants under 21 and for deferred adjudication.

Approved interlock providers

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

Approved interlock vendors in Texas
Vendor	Website	Location finder
A&A Product Company	A&A Product Company website	Find a location
Agent Monitoring LLC	Agent Monitoring LLC website	Find a location
Alcohol Analytics Systems	Listed on the agency list	—
Alcohol Countermeasures Systems	Alcohol Countermeasures Systems website	Find a location
Alcohol Detection Systems	Alcohol Detection Systems website	Find a location
AlcoPatrol	AlcoPatrol website	Find a location
America’s Alcohol Testing Inc.	America’s Alcohol Testing Inc. website	Find a location
Autosense International, Inc	Listed on the agency list	—
B.E.S.T. Labs, Inc	B.E.S.T. Labs, Inc website	Find a location
Blow and Drive Interlock	Listed on the agency list	—
Clean Start Systems	Listed on the agency list	—
Dräger US Interlock LLC	Dräger US Interlock LLC website	Find a location
Guardian Interlock	Guardian Interlock website	Find a location
Instant Interlock	Listed on the agency list	—
Intoxalock	Intoxalock website	Find a location
LifeSafer	LifeSafer website	Find a location
Low Cost Interlock	Low Cost Interlock website	Find a location
Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems	Monitech Ignition Interlock Systems website	Find a location
Simple Interlock	Simple Interlock website	Find a location
Smart Alco Solutions LLC	Listed on the agency list	—
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 Texas does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in Texas
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	Yes
Filing period	2 years

SR-22. Texas DPS states that after an adult DWI conviction a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) from an authorized insurance company is required and must be maintained for two years from the date of conviction.

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 Texas
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$100	2026-08-28
Driver license reinstatement fee after a DWI suspension (Texas DPS)	$100	2026-08
Restricted interlock license fee (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2465(a); DPS FAQ)	$10	2026-08
SR-22 must be maintained for two years from the date of conviction (Texas DPS)	2 years	2026-08
Indigent defendants on deferred adjudication: judge may waive the installation charge and reduce the monthly monitoring fee by 50 percent (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42A.408(e-1))	installation waived; 50% monthly fee reduction	2026-08
Inability to pay: court may impose a reasonable payment schedule not exceeding twice the period of the court's order (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.246(c); art. 42A.408(f))	payment schedule	2026-08
Occupational-license supervision by a personal bond office: administrative fee (Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2462(a-3))	$25–$60 per month	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

Is an ignition interlock required after a first DWI in Texas?: Under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42A.408(b), a court may require an ignition interlock as a condition of community supervision after a DWI conviction; under art. 42A.408(c) it must do so if the trial showed an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more or the defendant has a prior DWI conviction. Under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.246, an occupational license after a DWI suspension carries an interlock restriction unless the court waives it.
How long must the interlock stay installed in Texas?: Under Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 42A.408(f), when ordered as a community-supervision condition the device must remain installed for not less than 50 percent of the supervision period, and evidence of installation is due within 30 days of conviction. Under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.246(d), an interlock ordered with an occupational license remains installed for the duration of the suspension period unless the court finds good cause for removal.
Does Texas require an SR-22 after a DWI, and for how long?: Texas DPS states that a person convicted of DWI must obtain a Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (SR-22) from an authorized insurance company and that the SR-22 must be maintained for two years from the date of conviction. DPS also lists a $100 reinstatement fee in addition to any other outstanding fees.
What does a Texas interlock-restricted license cost?: Under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2465(a), on application and payment of a $10 fee DPS issues a special restricted license indicating the person may operate only a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device. DPS's FAQ states the $10 interlock license fee may be paid online on the License Eligibility page or by mail, and that all reinstatement fees must be paid before an interlock license is issued.
Who approves ignition interlock devices in Texas?: Under Tex. Transp. Code § 521.2476, DPS sets minimum standards for interlock vendors by rule, and art. 42A.408(g) directs DPS to approve devices. DPS's Regulatory Services Division publishes an Approved Ignition Interlock Devices list (revised December 2025) and states that all court-ordered installations must be performed by Department-certified service centers.