Indiana ignition interlock & OWI (DUI) requirements
Indiana does not mandate an ignition interlock for every first DUI: a court may order one, or it is required to obtain a restricted license during the suspension.
In Indiana the offense is called OWI, operating while intoxicated; this page uses the statute's term. Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Indiana, cited to the statute and Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV).
- IID on first offense
- Court's discretion
- Minimum IID period (first)
- Set by the court
- SR-22 filing
- Required · 3 years
- Reinstatement fee
- No fixed amount, per BMV record
The short answers
Do I need an interlock?
- First offense
- At the court's discretion
- Minimum period
- Set by the court
What the source says (2)
- First offense
“Sec. 16. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the court may, in granting specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-16-3 or IC 9-30-16-4, also order that the specialized driving privileges include the requirement that a person may not operate a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is equipped”
- Minimum period
“the court shall set the time that the installation must remain in effect. However, the term may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment the court could have imposed. The person shall pay the cost of installation unless the sentencing court determines that the person is indigent.”
What it costs here
- State reinstatement fee
- No fixed amount, per BMV record
- Restricted-license fee
- $10 specialized driving privileges charge (IC 9-30-16-7); court filing fees not stated
- Reduced-cost rule
- Available — see exemptions below
- Interlock lease, national range
- $50–$150 per month
What the source says (7)
- State reinstatement fee
“The exact dollar amount for each suspension is within the Suspension Information section of your ODR. Reinstatement fees that are due will be indicated within the Reinstatement Requirements section, along with your reinstatement fee access code.”
- reinstatementFee_scope
“Sec. 15. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e), an individual: (1) whose driving privileges are suspended under this article; and (2) who seeks the reinstatement of the driving privileges; must pay a reinstatement fee to the bureau as provided in subsection (b).”
- reinstatementFee_ic9-25-6-15
“IC 9-25-6-15 Driving privileges reinstatement fee Sec. 15. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e), an individual: (1) whose driving privileges are suspended under this article; and (2) who seeks the reinstatement of the driving privileges; must pay a reinstatement fee to the bureau as provided in”
- reinstatementFee_ic9-25-6-15_amounts
“(b) The reinstatement fee under subsection (a) is as follows: (1) For a first suspension, two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (2) For a second suspension, five hundred dollars ($500). (3) For a third or subsequent suspension, one thousand dollars ($1,000).”
- reinstatementFee_ic9-30-6-11
“(c) A person whose driving privileges are reinstated under this section is not required to pay a reinstatement fee.”
- Restricted-license fee
“An individual who has been granted specialized driving privileges shall: (1) maintain proof of future financial responsibility insurance during the period of specialized driving privileges; (2) carry a copy of the order granting specialized driving privileges”
- Reduced-cost rule
“The person shall pay the cost of installation unless the sentencing court determines that the person is indigent.”
How to drive legally now
- Restricted license
- Available in some first-offense cases · Specialized Driving Privileges
- Waiting period
- No waiting period
- Driving after a OWI in Indiana: the restricted license
- How to get a license back in Indiana
- Date the hearing deadline with the timeline calculator
What the source says (1)
- Restricted license
“If a court orders a suspension of driving privileges under this chapter, or imposes a suspension of driving privileges under IC 9-30-6-9(c), the court may stay the suspension and grant a specialized driving privilege as set forth in this section.”
Approved interlock providers
Vendors listed here appear on the Indiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| A&A Product Company | A&A Product Company website | Find a location |
| Alcohol Detection Systemslisted by the agency as “Alcohol Detection Systems Technology, LLC” | Alcohol Detection Systems website | Find a location |
| Guardian Interlock | Guardian Interlock website | Find a location |
| Intoxalock | Intoxalock website | Find a location |
| LifeSafer | LifeSafer website | Find a location |
| Low Cost Interlocklisted by the agency as “Low Cost Interlock, Inc.” | Low Cost Interlock website | Find a location |
| Monitech, LLC | Monitech, LLC website | Find a location |
| RoadGuard Interlocklisted by the agency as “RoadGuard Interlock, LLC.” | RoadGuard Interlock website | Find a location |
| Simple Interlocklisted by the agency as “A Simple Interlock, LLC” | Simple Interlock website | Find a location |
| Smart Start | Smart Start website | Find a location |
What Indiana law requires
Indiana'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: Ind. Code § 9-30-8 (IC 9-30-8-1 et seq.)
Ignition interlock requirement
| Item | Indiana rule |
|---|---|
| IID on first offense | At the court's discretion |
| Minimum IID period, first offense | Set by the court; may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment the court could have imposed (IC 9-30-8-1) |
| Minimum IID period, repeat offense | Set by the court; may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment the court could have imposed (IC 9-30-8-1) — no separate statutory minimum for repeat offenders was found |
No Indiana statute located mandates an interlock for every first OWI conviction. IC 9-30-5-16(a) provides that the court 'may', in granting specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-16-3 or 9-30-16-4, require that the person operate only a vehicle equipped with a functioning certified ignition interlock device under IC 9-30-8; IC 9-30-6-8(d) lets the court recommend an interlock restriction as an alternative to the pre-conviction probable-cause suspension. The BMV states the court 'may also require the installation of an ignition interlock device'.
Periods, extensions and device rules from the fee and program pages
- Renders vehicle inoperable at an alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 g per 100 mL blood or 210 L breath — Device setpoint (IC 9-30-8-2) (as of 2026-08)
What the source says (5)
- IID on first offense
“Sec. 16. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the court may, in granting specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-16-3 or IC 9-30-16-4, also order that the specialized driving privileges include the requirement that a person may not operate a motor vehicle unless the vehicle is equipped”
- Minimum IID period, first offense
“the court shall set the time that the installation must remain in effect. However, the term may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment the court could have imposed. The person shall pay the cost of installation unless the sentencing court determines that the person is indigent.”
- Minimum IID period, repeat offense
“the court shall set the time that the installation must remain in effect. However, the term may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment the court could have imposed.”
- Ignition interlock statute
“IC 9-30-8Chapter 8. Ignition Interlock Devices 9-30-8-1Term of installation; costs 9-30-8-2Blood alcohol level rendering vehicle inoperable 9-30-8-3Standards and specifications; approval of ignition interlock devices”
- IID on first offense
“(d) If it is determined under subsection (a) that there is probable cause to believe that a person violated IC 9-30-5, the court may, as an alternative to any suspension of the person's driving privileges under subsection (c), issue an order recommending that the person be prohibited from operating”
Removal: Indiana's interlock term is set by the sentencing court, not by a compliance formula. 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 Indiana does, the sources below say so.
| SR-22 filing required after a DUI | Yes |
|---|---|
| Filing period | 3 years |
Under IC 9-30-6-12(c), if a court recommends suspension of driving privileges for a conviction under IC 9-30-5 (operating while intoxicated), then during the three years following termination of the suspension the person's driving privileges remain suspended until the person provides proof of future financial responsibility in force under IC 9-25; proof is not required unless and until the person is convicted. IC 9-30-7-5(c) applies the same three-year rule after a chemical-test-refusal suspension. The BMV's Proof of Financial Responsibility page identifies the SR22 form as 'proof of future financial responsibility' and refers to 3-year or 5-year SR22 requirement periods. Separately, IC 9-30-16-3 requires an SR22 to be maintained during specialized driving privileges. sr22Years = 3 (the IC 9-30-6-12(c) period).
What the source says (5)
- SR-22 filing required after a DUI
“for a conviction under IC 9-30-5, during the three (3) years following the termination of the suspension the person's driving privileges remain suspended until the person provides proof of future financial responsibility in force under IC 9-25”
- Filing period
“(c) During the three (3) years following the termination of the suspension, the person's driving privileges remain suspended until the person provides proof of future financial responsibility in force under IC 9-25.”
- SR-22 requirement
“nviction under section 5 of this chapter. (f) An individual who has been granted specialized driving privileges shall: (1) maintain proof of future financial responsibility insurance during the period of specialized driving privileges; (2) carry a copy of the order granting specialized driving privi”
- sr22Note_bmv
“If your driving privileges are suspended upon conviction of certain court-related offenses, or for insurance violations, Indiana law may require you to hold SR22 insurance to regain your driving privileges.”
- sr22Note_bmv_form
“The SR22 form, also known as proof of future financial responsibility, demonstrates that you have a motor vehicle insurance policy that meets the state's minimum standards, and it cannot be cancelled without prior notice given to the Indiana BMV.”
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 | Shown on the individual's BMV driver record; no fixed statutory OWI amount | 2026-08-29 |
| Interlock installation cost(IC 9-30-8-1) | Paid by the person unless the sentencing court determines the person is indigent | 2026-08 |
| Calibration and maintenance of a court-mandated device(IC 9-30-8-4) | Responsibility of the manufacturer | 2026-08 |
| No-insurance suspension reinstatement feesNOT OWI-specific(IC 9-25-6-15; BMV Driver's Manual) | $250 first suspension; $500 second; $1,000 third or subsequent | 2026-08 |
What the source says (5)
- License reinstatement fee
“The exact dollar amount for each suspension is within the Suspension Information section of your ODR. Reinstatement fees that are due will be indicated within the Reinstatement Requirements section, along with your reinstatement fee access code.”
- License reinstatement fee
“Sec. 15. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e), an individual: (1) whose driving privileges are suspended under this article; and (2) who seeks the reinstatement of the driving privileges; must pay a reinstatement fee to the bureau as provided in subsection (b).”
- License reinstatement fee
“IC 9-25-6-15 Driving privileges reinstatement fee Sec. 15. (a) Except as provided in subsection (e), an individual: (1) whose driving privileges are suspended under this article; and (2) who seeks the reinstatement of the driving privileges; must pay a reinstatement fee to the bureau as provided in”
- License reinstatement fee
“(b) The reinstatement fee under subsection (a) is as follows: (1) For a first suspension, two hundred fifty dollars ($250). (2) For a second suspension, five hundred dollars ($500). (3) For a third or subsequent suspension, one thousand dollars ($1,000).”
- License reinstatement fee
“(c) A person whose driving privileges are reinstated under this section is not required to pay a reinstatement fee.”
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 Indiana's interlock program page or statute states them.
| Question | Indiana rule |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | Not addressed on the official pages read IC 9-30-8 (ignition interlock devices), IC 9-30-8.1, IC 9-30-5-16 and IC 9-30-6-8 refer only to a "motor vehicle" or "vehicle"; 205 IAC 4 (Criminal Justice Institute interlock rule), the ISDT Certified Device Models page and the BMV Restriction 6 (Ignition Interlock Device) description do not mention motorcycles. |
| Employer-owned vehicle | Exempt with conditions IC 9-30-5-16(b): a court may not order the installation of an ignition interlock device on a vehicle operated by an employee who is employed as the operator of a vehicle owned, leased or provided by the employee's employer, or who is subject to a labor agreement that prohibits an employee convicted of an alcohol-related offense from operating the employer's vehicle; subsection (b)(1) also lists an employee who has been convicted of violating IC 9-30-5-1 or 9-30-5-2. The limit applies to the court's specialized-driving-privileges interlock order; no employer-notice, written-proof or work-hours condition is stated. What the source says“on a vehicle operated by an employee to whom any of the following apply: (1) Has been convicted of violating section 1 or 2 of this chapter. (2) Is employed as the operator of a vehicle owned, leased, or provided by the employee's employer.” |
| Unable to provide a breath sample | Not addressed on the official pages read No medical waiver, physician certification or reduced-sample alternative appears in IC 9-30-8, IC 9-30-8.1, IC 9-30-5-16, IC 9-30-6-8, 205 IAC 4, the ISDT Certified Device Models page or the BMV Restriction 6 description. IC 9-13-2-76 defines the device by a deep lung breath sample. |
| Reduced-cost / indigent program | Available IC 9-30-8-1(a): the person pays the cost of installation unless the sentencing court determines the person is indigent. No state fund, named program, income threshold or application procedure is stated, and the statute does not say who pays if the court finds indigency. IC 9-30-8-6(b) separately provides that a person required to have a device as part of probation, a specialized driving permit or any other court order must pay for installation, leasing, maintenance and removal plus any additional expenses ordered by the court. What the source says“The person shall pay the cost of installation unless the sentencing court determines that the person is indigent.” |
| Labor-agreement limit on interlock orders (IC 9-30-5-16(b)(3)) | A court may not order a device on a vehicle operated by an employee who is subject to a labor agreement that prohibits an employee convicted of an alcohol-related offense from operating the employer's vehicle. What the source says“(3) Is subject to a labor agreement that prohibits an employee who is convicted of an alcohol related offense from operating the employer's vehicle.” |
| Cost responsibility for court-ordered devices (IC 9-30-8-6(b)) | A person required to use a device under probation, a specialized driving permit or any other court order pays for installation, leasing, maintenance and removal and any additional expenses ordered by the court. What the source says“Any person who is required to have an ignition interlock device installed as part of probation, a specialized driving permit, or any other order of a court is required to pay for the installation, leasing, maintenance, and removal of the ignition interlock device” |
| BMV Restriction 6 – Ignition Interlock Device | The BMV describes the interlock restriction as court-imposed after an OWI conviction or, pretrial, in lieu of a suspension; it lasts for the period set by the court or Indiana law. What the source says“A court can require an ignition interlock device for a driver convicted of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated or in lieu of a suspension when there is probable cause to believe a driver was operating a vehicle while intoxicated prior to conviction.” |
Compare: motorcycles by state · employer, medical and reduced-cost exemptions by state
Frequently asked questions
- Is an ignition interlock mandatory after a first OWI in Indiana?
- Indiana law makes it a court option rather than an automatic requirement. Under IC 9-30-5-16(a), a court granting specialized driving privileges under IC 9-30-16-3 or 9-30-16-4 may require that the person operate only a vehicle equipped with a functioning certified ignition interlock device under IC 9-30-8; under IC 9-30-6-8(d) a court may recommend an interlock restriction instead of the probable-cause suspension.
- How long does an Indiana court-ordered interlock stay installed?
- IC 9-30-8-1 provides that when a court orders a certified ignition interlock device, the court shall set the time the installation must remain in effect, and the term may not exceed the maximum term of imprisonment the court could have imposed. The person pays the installation cost unless the sentencing court determines the person is indigent.
- Who certifies ignition interlock devices in Indiana?
- IC 9-30-8-3 directs the director of the State Department of Toxicology to adopt standards and specifications and provides that after July 1, 2015 all ignition interlock devices used in Indiana must be certified under those rules. The State Department of Toxicology publishes the list of certified device models, listed by certification date without endorsement or preference.
- At what breath alcohol level does an Indiana interlock block the vehicle?
- IC 9-30-8-2 states that an ignition interlock device shall be set to render a motor vehicle inoperable if it detects an alcohol concentration equivalent to at least 0.02 gram of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath.
- Is an SR22 required with Indiana specialized driving privileges?
- IC 9-30-16-3 requires a person granted specialized driving privileges to maintain proof of future financial responsibility insurance during the privileges, and the BMV Driver's Manual states that such a person shall maintain an effective SR22 on file with the BMV for the duration of specialized driving privileges.
Sources
- Indiana Code Title 9 (2025) – IC 9-30-8 Ignition Interlock Devices; IC 9-30-5-16; IC 9-30-6-8; IC 9-30-16; IC 9-25-6-15 (Indiana General Assembly, static title file)
- Indiana Code Title 9 (2025) – IC 9-30-8 (Indiana General Assembly, user-facing page; JavaScript app)
- Indiana State Department of Toxicology – Certified Device Models
- Indiana BMV – Common Traffic Violations (Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated)
- Indiana BMV – Reinstating Your Driving Privileges
- Indiana BMV – Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR22)
- Indiana BMV Driver's Manual, Chapter 5 – Points, Suspension, and Insurance Requirements (PDF)
- Indiana Criminal Justice Institute – Highway Safety Interlock Rule 2017 (205 IAC 4) (PDF)
- Indiana BMV – Suspension Guide
- Indiana BMV – Fee Chart (PDF; contains no reinstatement fees)
Record history
- — suspension.statute: http://iac.iga.in.gov/iac/T01400/A00010.PDF → https://iar.iga.in.gov/code/current/140/1
- — Record verified against primary sources.