Hawaii ignition interlock & OVUII (DUI) requirements
Hawaii requires an ignition interlock after a first DUI.
In Hawaii the offense is called OVUII, operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant; this page uses the statute's term. Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Hawaii, cited to the statute and Hawaii Department of Transportation (Ignition Interlock Program); driver licensing is administered by the county driver licensing offices, and administrative revocations by the Hawaii State Judiciary's Administrative Driver's License Revocation Office (ADLRO).
- IID on first offense
- Required
- Minimum IID period (first)
- 1 year to 18 months (revocation)
- SR-22 filing
- Repeat offenses only · 3 years
The short answers
Do I need an interlock?
- First offense
- Required
- Minimum period
- 1 year to 18 months (revocation)
What the source says (2)
- First offense
“(1) Except as provided in paragraph (4), for the first offense ... (B) Revocation of license to operate a vehicle for no less than one year and no more than eighteen months; (C) Installation during the revocation period of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person;”
- Minimum period
“installed and maintained an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person for a continuous period of six months, after which the person maintained the ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person for a continuous period of three months without violation”
What it costs here
- State reinstatement fee
- $20
- Reduced-cost rule
- Available — see exemptions below
- Interlock lease, national range
- $50–$150 per month
What the source says (3)
- State reinstatement fee
“Reactivation (Renewing After 90-Day Grace Period) $ 5 per 30-day period Reinstatement $ 20”
- reinstatementFee_faq
“You will also need to submit a reinstatement fee of $20.00 certified check or money order payable to “City and County of Honolulu” to clear your driver record.”
- Reduced-cost rule
“Individuals who are receiving current EBT/SNAP benefits from the State of Hawai’i may have their cost reduced by Smart Start.”
How to drive legally now
- Restricted license
- Available after a first offense · Ignition interlock permit
- Hearing-request deadline
- 6 days from the notice
- Driving after a OVUII in Hawaii: the restricted license
- How to get a license back in Hawaii
- Date the hearing deadline with the timeline calculator
What the source says (2)
- Restricted license
“upon proof that the respondent has installed an ignition interlock device in any vehicle the respondent operates and obtained motor vehicle insurance or self-insurance that complies with the requirements of section 431:10C-104 or 431:10C-105, the director shall issue an ignition interlock permit”
- Hearing-request deadline
“If the director administratively revokes the respondent's license and privilege to operate a vehicle after the administrative review, the respondent may request an administrative hearing to review the decision within six days of the date the administrative review decision is mailed.”
Approved interlock providers
Vendors listed here appear on the Hawaii 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.
Where to get it installed — the official approved-installer list: Agency approved-vendor list
| Vendor | Website | Location finder |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Start | Smart Start website | Find a location |
What Hawaii law requires
Hawaii'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: Haw. Rev. Stat. § 291E-61
Ignition interlock requirement
| Item | Hawaii rule |
|---|---|
| IID on first offense | Required |
| Minimum IID period, first offense | Duration of the revocation period: 1 year to 18 months (court, § 291E-61(b)(1)); 1 year (administrative, § 291E-41(b)(1)); early termination motion possible after 6 continuous months plus 3 months without violation (§ 291E-61(b)(6)) |
| Minimum IID period, repeat offense | Duration of the revocation period: 2 to 3 years (court, second offense within 10 years, § 291E-61(b)(2)); 2 years (administrative, one prior contact, § 291E-41(b)(2)) |
HRS § 291E-61(b)(1) sentences a first offender to license revocation of one year to eighteen months and 'Installation during the revocation period of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person.' Under § 291E-61(b)(7), a person who shows they do not own or have use of a vehicle in which an IID can be installed is instead prohibited from driving for the maximum revocation period. Administrative revocation under HRS § 291E-41(b) likewise requires the IID during a one-year first revocation. Subsection (b) of § 291E-61 is subject to repeal and reenactment on June 30, 2028 (L 2023, c 148).
What the source says (6)
- IID on first offense
“(1) Except as provided in paragraph (4), for the first offense ... (B) Revocation of license to operate a vehicle for no less than one year and no more than eighteen months; (C) Installation during the revocation period of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person;”
- Minimum IID period, first offense
“installed and maintained an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person for a continuous period of six months, after which the person maintained the ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person for a continuous period of three months without violation”
- Minimum IID period, repeat offense
“(B) Revocation of license to operate a vehicle for no less than two years and no more than three years; (C) Installation during the revocation period of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person;”
- Ignition interlock statute
“§291E-61 Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant.”
- IID on first offense
“(7) If the person demonstrates to the court that the person: (A) Does not own or have the use of a vehicle in which the person can install an ignition interlock device during the revocation period; ... the person shall be prohibited from driving during the period of applicable revocation”
- firstOffenseIidNote_repeal
“(b) [Repeal and reenactment on June 30, 2028. L 2023, c 148, §8(2).] A person committing the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant shall be sentenced without possibility of probation or suspension of sentence as follows:”
Removal: Hawaii's interlock requirement runs for the revocation period itself (HRS § 291E-41(b) administratively; § 291E-61(b) on conviction) rather than for a fixed post-reinstatement term, so the device obligation ends… Full rule and source
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 Hawaii does, the sources below say so.
| SR-22 filing required after a DUI | Repeat offenses only |
|---|---|
| Filing period | 3 years (repeat offenses only) |
Required for repeat OVUII revocations, not for a first offense. HRS § 287-20(a) (Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act) provides that whenever a license is suspended or revoked (1) under part III of chapter 291E (administrative revocation), except as provided in § 291E-41(f), or (2) upon conviction of any offense, no license may be reissued 'unless and until the person has furnished and thereafter maintains proof of financial responsibility' — but the section expressly does not apply to a revocation under § 291E-61(b)(1) (first OVUII conviction), and § 291E-41(f) excludes a first administrative revocation under § 291E-41(b)(1). § 287-20(b)(1) separately lists 'operating a vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant' among offenses for which the administrator must suspend the license until proof is furnished when a court had discretion to suspend but did not. Under § 287-40(a)(1) the proof may be cancelled after three years if no further qualifying conviction is recorded. The statute uses the term 'proof of financial responsibility' (a certificate of insurance under § 287-22, bond, or deposit), not 'SR-22'; it is filed with the county 'administrator' (chief of police or director of finance, § 287-1). The Honolulu Department of Customer Services handles this through its Financial Responsibility Section.
What the source says (5)
- SR-22 filing required after a DUI
“(a) Whenever a driver's license has been suspended or revoked: (1) Pursuant to section 291E-65 or part III of chapter 291E, except as provided in section 291E-41(f); (2) Upon a conviction of any offense pursuant to law”
- Filing period
“(1) At any time after three years from the date the proof was required when, during the three-year period preceding the request, the administrator has not received record of a conviction that would require or permit the suspension or revocation of the license or nonresident's operating privilege”
- sr22Note_insurance
“(2) Obtained motor vehicle insurance or self-insurance that complies with the requirements under either section 431:10C-104 or section 431:10C-105, the court shall issue an ignition interlock permit that will allow the defendant to drive a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device”
- sr22Note_administrator
“"Administrator" means the chief of police of each county or the director of finance of each county and their authorized subordinates charged with the responsibility of administering this chapter”
- sr22Note_honoluluFR
“How do I clear my driver's license suspension with the Financial Responsibility Section on Oahu? If you are not on Oahu, a signed written request is required in order to obtain information regarding your financial responsibility requirements to reinstate your driving privilege/license reinstatement.”
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.
| Item | Amount | As of |
|---|---|---|
| License reinstatement fee | $20 (City and County of Honolulu driver licensing; fees are set per county) | 2026-08-29 |
| ADLRO administrative hearing fee | $30 non-refundable (waiver available for indigent respondents); $25 returned-check fee | 2026-08 |
| IID cost | Borne by the offender (HRS § 291E-61(k); § 291E-41(b)); the ADLRO FAQ reports vendor-quoted amounts and a possible cost reduction for current EBT/SNAP recipients | 2026-08 |
| Neurotrauma special fund surcharge (first offense) | $25 (HRS § 291E-61(b)(1)(E)); trauma system surcharge up to $25 if ordered | 2026-08 |
What the source says (2)
- License reinstatement fee
“Reactivation (Renewing After 90-Day Grace Period) $ 5 per 30-day period Reinstatement $ 20”
- License reinstatement fee
“You will also need to submit a reinstatement fee of $20.00 certified check or money order payable to “City and County of Honolulu” to clear your driver record.”
Exemptions and special cases
Four questions readers ask once an interlock is ordered — motorcycles, employer vehicles, medical inability to give a breath sample, and reduced-cost programs — answered as Hawaii's interlock program page or statute states them.
| Question | Hawaii rule |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | Not addressed on the official pages read HRS §§ 291E-61, 291E-41 and 291E-44.5, the HDOT 'Ignition Interlock In Hawaii' page and the ADLRO FAQ do not state whether an ignition interlock device can be installed on a motorcycle or whether an ignition interlock permit (IIP) holder may ride one; the IIP allows driving 'a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device'. ADLRO does state that an administrative revocation for OVUII revokes all classes of license the person holds, including Class (1) mopeds and Class (2) motorcycles and motor scooters (see 'other'). |
| Employer-owned vehicle | Exempt with conditions Administrative track — HRS § 291E-44.5(c)-(e): the ADLRO director may issue a separate permit (ADLRO calls it an 'Employee Driver's Permit' (EDP)) to operate a vehicle owned by the respondent's employer during the revocation without an IID if the respondent is gainfully employed in a position that requires driving and will be discharged if prohibited from driving a non-IID vehicle. The request must include a sworn statement from the respondent and a sworn statement from the employer confirming the discharge, identifying the specific vehicle(s) and the hours of the day (not to exceed twelve hours per day, or the specified assigned hours of work). The permit restricts driving to specified hours of employment and activities solely within the scope of employment, only the vehicles specified, and only with the permit in the respondent's possession; the director may impose other restrictions. ADLRO adds: forms #2 and #2a (both required), the employer's business card and copies of the employer-owned vehicle registrations; no EDP for vehicles requiring a CDL or category 4 license; no EDP for a person with any ownership interest in the business. Court track — HRS § 291E-61(d)-(f) contains the same employer permit for court revocations. What the source says“the director may issue a separate permit authorizing a respondent to operate a vehicle owned by the respondent's employer during the period of revocation without installation of an ignition interlock device if the respondent is gainfully employed in a position that requires driving” |
| Unable to provide a breath sample | Available The Hawaii Department of Transportation's Ignition Interlock FAQ states that individuals with low lung capacity due to asthma or pulmonary disorders are generally able to provide the needed breath sample; if they can demonstrate that they are unable, the device settings can be adjusted, and failing that, medical waivers are allowed. HRS §§ 291E-61 and 291E-41 and Hawaii Administrative Rules chapter 19-147 do not set out a medical waiver procedure or form. What the source says“If they can demonstrate that they are unable, the settings on the devices can be adjusted to account for this. Failing that, medical waivers are allowed. Our Hawaii interlock statutes will address such contingencies.” |
| Reduced-cost / indigent program | Available ADLRO (Hawaii State Judiciary) states that all IID costs are charged directly by the state's single approved vendor at the respondent's expense and that ADLRO has nothing to do with the costs, but that individuals receiving current EBT/SNAP benefits from the State of Hawaii may have their cost reduced by the vendor; proof of eligibility from DHS showing name, case number and current benefit amount must be submitted (an EBT card alone is not enough). What is reduced (installation, monthly lease/calibration, lockout fee) and by how much is not stated. HRS § 291E-61(k) states installation and maintenance of the IID are at the defendant's own expense except as provided in § 291E-5. Separately, ADLRO's $30 administrative hearing fee may be waived for indigent respondents on a waiver request form with pay statements and tax returns. What the source says“Individuals who are receiving current EBT/SNAP benefits from the State of Hawai’i may have their cost reduced by Smart Start.” |
| All license classes revoked, including moped and motorcycle | ADLRO: an administrative revocation for OVUII revokes every class of license held, so a person arrested while driving a car under a Class (3) license may not drive a moped (Class 1) or a motorcycle or motor scooter (Class 2) during the revocation. What the source says“No. When your driver’s license is administratively revoked for OVUII, all classes of driver’s licenses that you hold are revoked. Class (1) licenses are for mopeds, Class (2) licenses are for motorcycles and motor scooters, and Class (3) and Class (4) licenses are for cars and other vehicles.” |
| No vehicle for an IID / otherwise unable to drive (court track) | HRS § 291E-61(b)(7): a defendant who shows the court that they do not own or have the use of a vehicle in which an IID can be installed, or is otherwise unable to drive during the revocation, is prohibited from driving, is sentenced to the maximum revocation period, receives no IID permit, and is subject to § 291E-62 penalties for driving. What the source says“the person shall be prohibited from driving during the period of applicable revocation provided in paragraphs (1) to (5); provided that the person shall be sentenced to the maximum license revocation period, the court shall not issue an ignition interlock permit pursuant to subsection (i)” |
| Commercial and category 4 license holders | An ignition interlock permit is not issued to a holder of a category 4 license or a commercial driver's license unless the permit is restricted to a category 1, 2 or 3 license; ADLRO states EDPs are not issued for vehicles requiring a CDL or category 4 license. What the source says“A respondent who holds either a category 4 license under section 286-102(b) or a commercial driver's license under section 286-239(a) unless the ignition interlock permit is restricted to a category 1, 2, or 3 license under section 286-102(b).” |
| Business owners and the employee driver's permit | ADLRO: an EDP is not granted to a person with any ownership interest in the business, because the permit requires that the person would actually be discharged; applications involving businesses owned by family or friends are viewed circumspectly and proof of ownership may be required. What the source says“As the employer and owner of the business, you cannot discharge yourself. If you have any ownership interest in the business, you cannot be granted an EDP for that business.” |
| ADLRO hearing fee waiver for indigent respondents | The $30 non-refundable administrative hearing fee may be waived on a waiver request form and declaration with recent pay statements and the last federal and state tax returns; if denied, the fee must be paid before the hearing. What the source says“If you are indigent, you can request a waiver of the hearing fee by submitting a waiver request form & declaration, along with a copy of your most recent pay statement(s) and your last federal & state tax returns.” |
| IIP valid only in Hawaii | ADLRO states the ignition interlock permit is valid only in the State of Hawaii and other states are not guaranteed to accept it. What the source says“The ignition interlock permit (IIP) issued by the ADLRO is only valid in the state of Hawai’i. There is no guarantee that another state will accept the Hawai’i IIP to allow you to drive in that state with an ignition interlock device.” |
Compare: motorcycles by state · employer, medical and reduced-cost exemptions by state
Frequently asked questions
- Is an ignition interlock device required after a first OVUII conviction in Hawaii?
- Yes. Under HRS § 291E-61(b)(1), a first offense carries license revocation of no less than one year and no more than eighteen months and installation during the revocation period of an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person, in addition to a 14-hour substance abuse rehabilitation program and other penalties.
- Can the Hawaii IID revocation period be ended early?
- Under HRS § 291E-61(b)(6), a first offender not subject to an additional mandatory revocation may move for early termination after installing and maintaining an IID for a continuous six months and then a further three months without violation, supported by a certified statement from the director of transportation; the court is not required to grant it.
- How does Hawaii's administrative revocation interact with the IID?
- Under HRS § 291E-41(b), a respondent must keep an ignition interlock device installed in all vehicles operated during the administrative revocation period, at the respondent's expense: one year with no prior alcohol or drug enforcement contact in ten years, two years with one prior contact, and four years with two or more.
- Who installs ignition interlock devices in Hawaii?
- The Hawaii Department of Transportation's Ignition Interlock page directs drivers to the vendor Smart Start, and the ADLRO FAQ states 'SmartStart is the approved IID vendor for the state of Hawai'i,' with all IID costs charged directly by the vendor.
- What is needed to get a Hawaii ignition interlock permit?
- Per HRS § 291E-61(i), the court issues an ignition interlock permit upon proof that the defendant installed an IID in any vehicle operated and obtained insurance complying with HRS § 431:10C-104 or § 431:10C-105. The ADLRO FAQ lists the IID installation agreement, proof of valid motor vehicle insurance, and an IIP application for administrative cases.
Sources
- HRS § 291E-61 Operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant — Hawaii State Legislature (capitol.hawaii.gov data mirror)
- HRS § 291E-41 Effective date, conditions, and period of administrative revocation — Hawaii State Legislature
- Hawaii DOT — Ignition Interlock In Hawaii (vendor)
- Hawaii DOT — Ignition Interlock Installation Locations
- Hawaii State Judiciary — ADLRO Frequently Asked Questions
- HRS § 287-20 Proof of financial responsibility required upon conviction of certain offenses — Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-40 Duration of proof; when proof may be canceled or returned — Hawaii State Legislature
- HRS § 287-1 Definitions ('administrator') — Hawaii State Legislature
- City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services — Fee Table (driver's license reinstatement $20)
- City and County of Honolulu, Department of Customer Services — Driver's License FAQ (OVUII/DUI clearance; Financial Responsibility Section)
Record history
- — Record verified against primary sources.