How to get your license back after a DUI in California
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the California Department of Motor Vehicles lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the suspension period, or hold a restricted license for the applicable time
DMV's first-offender flyer (DL 1046A) states a first DUI arrest with a BAC of 0.08% or more brings a 4-month Administrative Per Se suspension, and a conviction under Veh. Code § 23152 brings a 6- or 10-month suspension that may run concurrently; a driver becomes eligible for reinstatement with no restrictions after serving the suspension or after maintaining a restricted license for the applicable time. Cal. Veh. Code § 13352(a)(1)(A) sets the first-conviction suspension at six months.
What the source says
“Once you have served your 4-month suspension period, or, if you opted to apply for a restricted license and have maintained the restriction for the applicable amount of time, you will be eligible to reinstate your driving privilege with no restrictions.”
- 2
Complete the licensed DUI program and provide proof of completion
Cal. Veh. Code § 13352(a)(1)(A) provides that the privilege shall not be reinstated until the person gives proof of financial responsibility and proof satisfactory to DMV of successful completion of a driving-under-the-influence program licensed under Health and Safety Code § 11836; DMV's flyer states proof of completion of a DUI program must be provided, and that a BAC greater than 0.20% requires a 9-month program. DMV's IID program page refers to the Notice of Completion Certificate (DL 101).
What the source says
“The privilege shall not be reinstated until the person gives proof of financial responsibility and gives proof satisfactory to the department of successful completion of a driving-under-the-influence program licensed pursuant to Section 11836 of the Health and Safety Code”
- 3
If an ignition interlock is required, install a certified device, file the DL 920 and maintain it for the full term
Where the court orders an IID for a first non-injury offense (up to six months), or where the IID is mandatory (first offense with injury, 12 months; repeat offenses, 12 to 48 months), Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(d)(1) requires the person to have each vehicle they operate equipped by a certified provider, to submit the Verification of Installation form (DL 920) and to pay a DMV administrative fee; DMV states the fee is $103 for mandatory IID restrictions. Under § 13352(f), a person who maintains the device for the mandatory term is reinstated when the other reinstatement requirements are satisfied. DMV states a first offender is not required to install an IID unless the court orders it.
What the source says
“Install an IID on a vehicle the offender operates and provide DMV with a Verification of Installation Ignition Interlock form (DL 920).”
- 4
File proof of financial responsibility (SR 22) and maintain it for 3 years
DMV's flyer states that full reinstatement requires proof of insurance (SR 22), which must be maintained for 3 years; DMV's IID program page states DMV requires a California Insurance Proof Certificate (SR 22) to reinstate the driving privilege after a DUI.
What the source says
“To fully reinstate your driving privilege with no restrictions, you must serve your full suspension or restriction, provide the DMV with proof of completion of a DUI program and provide proof of insurance (SR 22). You will be required to maintain the SR 22 for 3 years.”
- 5
Pay the reissue fee
DMV states the license is reinstated at the end of the suspension or revocation on payment of a $125 reissue fee and filing proof of financial responsibility (Cal. Veh. Code § 14905 sets the $125 fee after an APS suspension; $100 for under-21 Zero Tolerance suspensions). DMV's flyer lists a $55 reissue fee plus a $15 restriction fee (and an IID restriction fee) for a post-conviction restricted license.
What the source says
“Your driver’s license will be reinstated at the end of the suspension or revocation, provided you pay a $125 reissue fee to the DMV and you file proof of financial responsibility (insurance). The reissue fee remains at $100 if you were under age 21 and were suspended under the Zero Tolerance Law.”
- 6
Clear all other outstanding suspensions or revocations
DMV's flyer states that all outstanding suspensions or revocations on the record must be cleared to fully reinstate the driving privilege; DMV's IID program page lists clearing other suspensions or revocations before applying for an IID-restricted license.
What the source says
“Note: You must also clear all outstanding suspensions or revocations on your record in order to fully reinstate your driving privilege.”
Official reinstatement page: California Department of Motor Vehicles
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $125 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | Yes · 3 years — California SR-22 requirements |
| Ignition interlock | California interlock rule |
| Required program | Driving-under-the-influence (DUI) program licensed under Health and Safety Code § 11836 |
| Driving during the suspension | Restricted driver's license: IID-restricted license (Cal. Veh. Code § 13352(a)(1)(A); §§ 13353.6/13353.75 during APS) or employment/DUI-program restricted license (§ 13352.4) |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: required in some cases · road test: required in some cases |
Required program: Driving-under-the-influence (DUI) program licensed under Health and Safety Code § 11836
Cal. Veh. Code § 13352(a)(1)(A) conditions reinstatement after a first § 23152 conviction on proof of successful completion of a DUI program licensed under Health and Safety Code § 11836 and described in Veh. Code § 23538(b); enrollment, participation and completion must occur after the date of the current violation. DMV's flyer states a BAC greater than 0.20% requires a 9-month program; DMV's IID program page refers to the Proof of Enrollment Certificate (DL 107) and Notice of Completion Certificate (DL 101) 'for the appropriate DUI program length', and DMV's DUI page links to a DUI Program Directory of Service Providers. Under § 13352(g), completion means satisfactory completion of all program requirements evidenced by a certificate of completion issued under penalty of perjury by the licensed program.
“(1) Satisfactory completion of all program requirements approved pursuant to program licensure, as evidenced by a certificate of completion issued, under penalty of perjury, by the licensed program.”
Driving during the suspension: Restricted driver's license: IID-restricted license (Cal. Veh. Code § 13352(a)(1)(A); §§ 13353.6/13353.75 during APS) or employment/DUI-program restricted license (§ 13352.4)
DMV's first-offender flyer states that if the court did not order an IID, a convicted first offender has two restricted-license options: an IID restriction allowing driving at any time to any place in an IID-equipped vehicle, or a restriction to driving to, from and during employment and to and from the DUI program for 12 months; both require visiting a DMV office, proof of enrollment in a DUI program, proof of insurance (SR 22), and the $55 reissue and $15 restriction fees (plus proof of IID installation on form DL 920 and an IID restriction fee for the IID option). Under § 13352.4(b)-(c) the employment/program restriction lasts 12 months and until all reinstatement requirements are met and is limited to hours necessary for employment and program activities; under § 13352(e)(1) the IID restriction remains until all reinstatement requirements are satisfied. During the APS suspension the flyer states a driver may apply immediately for an IID restriction (up to 4 months) or, after 30 days, for an employment/treatment restriction (up to 5 months) with a $125 APS fee. Commercial license holders must downgrade to a noncommercial license.
“You may apply for a restricted license with the installation of an IID. With this restriction, you may drive at any time to any place, so long as the vehicle is equipped with an IID. You will have this restriction until you meet all reinstatement requirements*.”
When the interlock can be removed
Term-based; no violation-free window or early-removal provision is stated. Under Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(h)(4) the mandatory IID term begins once the DL 920 is filed and the privilege is reinstated or a restricted license is issued under § 13352, with credit for time on an APS IID-restricted license; under § 23575.3(j) any period of noncompliance is not credited toward the term. Under § 13352(f), if the person maintains a functioning, certified IID for the mandatory term under § 23575.3 (including term credit under §§ 13353.6/13353.75), DMV reinstates the driving privilege when the other reinstatement requirements are satisfied; under § 13352(e)(1) an IID restriction remains in effect until all reinstatement requirements are satisfied. Under § 13352(e)(3), having the device removed before the restriction's termination date, tampering, or three or more calibration/maintenance failures results in suspension or revocation for the remainder of the original period, although DMV may restore the privilege and reimpose the remaining term on proof of compliance; § 23575.3(f)(2) requires the installer to notify DMV of any removal. DMV states a person must serve the full term of the mandatory IID restriction once the IID-restricted license is issued. No removal fee cap is stated; IID program costs follow the income-based schedule in § 23575.3(k).
Compliance period: none stated; the full mandatory term must be served, and periods of noncompliance are not credited (Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(j))
“if the person maintains a functioning, certified ignition interlock device for the mandatory term required under Section 23575.3, inclusive of any term credit earned under Section 13353.6 or 13353.75, the department shall reinstate the person’s privilege to operate a motor vehicle”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in California
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Required in some cases For a DUI suspension or revocation the DMV reinstates the license at the end of the period on the reissue fee and proof of financial responsibility, with no test. A written knowledge test is required only when the DMV orders a re-examination for cause — a reported physical or mental condition, a law-enforcement referral, three accidents in 12 months or other grounds — and the Driver Safety Hearing Officer calls for it. What the source says“The Driver Safety Hearing Officer may require you to submit to a vision test, a written test of your knowledge of the rules of the road, and a drive test.” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Required in some cases A drive test is likewise ordered only at a re-examination, and is scheduled as a separate appointment; the driver brings the vehicle and proof of financial responsibility. What the source says“If a drive test is required, you will be scheduled for a separate drive test appointment.” |
| Vision screening | Required in some cases A vision test is one of the three tests the hearing officer can require at a re-examination. What the source says“The Driver Safety Hearing Officer may require you to submit to a vision test, a written test of your knowledge of the rules of the road, and a drive test.” |
What triggers a re-test
The DUI suspension or revocation itself does not trigger testing: the license is reinstated when the reissue fee is paid and proof of financial responsibility is filed. Testing follows a re-examination, which the DMV opens on information about a physical or mental condition, three accidents in 12 months, traffic convictions, reckless or incompetent driving habits or fraudulent use of a license.
“Your driver’s license will be reinstated at the end of the suspension or revocation, provided you pay a $125 reissue fee to the DMV and you file proof of financial responsibility (insurance).”- Where to take it
- dmv.ca.gov — re-examinations are held at Driver Safety offices; a drive test is a separate appointment
- Official driver manual
- California Driver's Handbook
- The rule
- Cal. Veh. Code §§ 12818, 13800, 13801
“VC §§12818, 13800, and 13801 govern Driver Safety investigations and reexaminations conducted by DMV”
Questions about re-testing in California
- Does a California DUI suspension mean retaking the written or driving test?
- No. The DMV states the license is reinstated at the end of the suspension or revocation when the $125 reissue fee is paid and proof of financial responsibility is filed. Tests come into play only if the DMV orders a re-examination for cause.
- When can the DMV require the tests?
- At a re-examination, which the DMV opens on information about a physical or mental condition, three accidents within 12 months, traffic convictions, reckless or incompetent driving habits or fraudulent use of a license. The hearing officer can then require a vision test, a written test of the rules of the road and a drive test.
Reinstatement knowledge check: California
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
Questions about reinstatement in California
- What does the California DMV require to fully reinstate a license after a first DUI?
- DMV's DUI First Offenders flyer (DL 1046A) states that full reinstatement requires serving the full suspension or restriction, proof of completion of a DUI program, proof of insurance (SR 22) maintained for 3 years, and clearing all outstanding suspensions or revocations. DMV's DUI page states the license is reinstated on payment of a $125 reissue fee and proof of financial responsibility; Cal. Veh. Code § 13352(a)(1)(A) sets the same program and insurance conditions.
- When does an ignition interlock requirement end in California?
- Under Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3(h)(4), the mandatory term starts once DMV receives the Verification of Installation (DL 920) and the privilege is reinstated or a restricted license is issued; noncompliance periods are not credited (§ 23575.3(j)). Under § 13352(f), a person who maintains the device for the mandatory term is reinstated when the other requirements are met; § 13352(e)(3) provides that removing the device early results in suspension for the remainder of the original period.
- What restricted licenses are available after a California DUI conviction?
- DMV's flyer states that if the court did not order an IID, a first offender may apply for an IID-restricted license allowing driving anywhere in an IID-equipped vehicle, or a license restricted to driving to, from and during employment and to and from the DUI program for 12 months (Cal. Veh. Code § 13352.4). Both require DUI program enrollment, an SR 22, and $55 reissue plus $15 restriction fees; the IID option also needs form DL 920.
Sources
- California DMV – DUI First Offenders, Alcohol Involved – Non-Injury, 21 and Older (flyer DL 1046A, 2/2019; APS and conviction suspensions, restricted-license options, full reinstatement requirements)
- California DMV – Driving Under the Influence (DUI) ($125 reissue fee and proof of financial responsibility; restricted-license options; DUI program directory)
- California DMV – Statewide Ignition Interlock Device Program (IID restriction requirements, DL 920/DL 101, $103 administrative service fees, full-term requirement, SR 22)
- Cal. Veh. Code Div. 6, Ch. 2, Art. 3 full text (§ 13352 reinstatement conditions, restricted license, (e)-(g), (j); § 13352.4 employment/program restricted license) – California Legislative Information, as published on 2026-08-28
- Cal. Veh. Code § 23575.3 – ignition interlock requirement, term start, noncompliance not credited, installer reporting (California Legislative Information)
- Cal. Veh. Code § 14905 – $125 fee after administrative suspension/revocation (California Legislative Information)
- California DMV – Ignition Interlock Device Program FAQ (PDF; older pilot-program version, used only for context)