When does Michigan require an ignition interlock after a first drunk-driving conviction?

Under MCL 257.319(8)(g)-(h), a first conviction for operating with a 'high BAC' of 0.17 grams or more (MCL 257.625(1)(c)) brings a 1-year suspension; the Secretary of State may issue a restricted license after the first 45 days, and the driver may not operate under it unless the vehicle has an approved breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). For a standard first offense, MCL 257.625(24) allows a court to order an interlock as a probation condition.

How long does the interlock stay on after a high-BAC conviction in Michigan?

MCL 257.319(8)(h) states the device may be removed after the interlock provider verifies to the Department of State that the individual operated the vehicle with no instances reaching or exceeding 0.025 grams per 210 liters of breath. The Department's removal instructions note that the Ignition Interlock Report must show a service date after the period of restriction is complete.

What is the license reinstatement fee after an OWI suspension in Michigan?

MCL 257.320e(1) requires an individual whose license is suspended, revoked, or restricted under sections 303, 319, 320, 324, 625, 625b, 625f, or 904 to pay a license reinstatement fee of $125.00 to the Secretary of State before a license is issued or returned. The Department of State's reinstatement-fee page describes payment online, by mail, or at an office.

Is there help with interlock costs for low-income drivers in Michigan?

MCL 257.625k(5)(c) requires each listed manufacturer to agree to provide an ignition interlock device without cost to a person whose gross income for the preceding tax year was less than 150% of the official poverty line; that person pays the installer a maintenance fee of not more than $2.00 per day.

Who is approved to install ignition interlock devices in Michigan?

The Michigan Department of State's Ignition Interlock Manufacturers List page states that manufacturers currently authorized to install devices for Michigan drivers are listed there, that each has been approved according to MCL 257.625k, and that the State does not endorse or recommend manufacturers. The page currently lists Smart Start, LifeSafer Interlock, Intoxalock, Alcohol Detection Systems, and RoadGuard Interlock.

MIVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

Michigan ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Michigan, cited to the statute and the Michigan Department of State (Secretary of State).

IID on first offense: Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period (first): High-BAC
SR-22 filing: No
Reinstatement fee: $125

What Michigan law requires

Michigan'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: Mich. Comp. Laws § 257.319(8)(g)-(h)

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in Michigan by offense
Item	Michigan rule
IID on first offense	Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period, first offense	High-BAC (0.17+) first offense: 1-year suspension, restricted license with BAIID available after the first 45 days for the remainder of the suspension; removal after the provider verifies no readings of 0.025 g/210 L or more. Standard first offense: none required by statute.
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	Not less than 1 year of documented BAIID operation before an unrestricted license (specialty-court restricted license, MCL 257.304(6)(c)); otherwise a repeat offender's license is revoked and any BAIID-restricted license is set by a Secretary of State hearing officer.

Under MCL 257.319(8)(g)-(h), an individual convicted of operating with an alcohol content of 0.17 grams or more (MCL 257.625(1)(c), 'high BAC') with no prior convictions within 7 years receives a 1-year suspension; the Secretary of State may issue a restricted license after the first 45 days, and shall order that the individual not drive under that restricted license unless the vehicle has an approved ignition interlock device (BAIID). For a standard first OWI (0.08-0.169) the statute contains no mandatory IID; MCL 257.625(24) lets the court order an IID as a condition of probation at its discretion.

Approved interlock providers

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

Approved interlock vendors in Michigan
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
RoadGuard Interlock	RoadGuard Interlock 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 Michigan does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in Michigan
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	No
Filing period	Not applicable

The Michigan Department of State's 'Financial responsibility restricted licenses' FAQ ties proof-of-financial-responsibility filings to a financial-responsibility judgment (an unpaid court judgment after an at-fault, uninsured crash); an OWI conviction or suspension is not among the described triggers. The Michigan Vehicle Code's 'Proof of Financial Responsibility for the Future' subdivision (MCL 257.511-257.528) is likewise organized around nonpayment of judgments. No Department of State page was found that requires an SR-22 after an alcohol-related suspension; reviewers may wish to confirm with the Department.

Compare SR-22 rules in every state

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 Michigan
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$125	2026-08-28
License reinstatement fee (suspension/revocation/restriction under MCL 257.303, 319, 320, 324, 625, 625b, 625f or 904)	$125.00	2026-08
Indigent program: manufacturer must provide the device without cost if prior-year gross income was under 150% of the federal poverty line	Device at no cost; maintenance fee to installer capped at $2.00 per day	2026-08
Device pricing	The Department of State states that rates and policies vary by manufacturer and that it does not endorse or recommend manufacturers	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

When does Michigan require an ignition interlock after a first drunk-driving conviction?: Under MCL 257.319(8)(g)-(h), a first conviction for operating with a 'high BAC' of 0.17 grams or more (MCL 257.625(1)(c)) brings a 1-year suspension; the Secretary of State may issue a restricted license after the first 45 days, and the driver may not operate under it unless the vehicle has an approved breath alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID). For a standard first offense, MCL 257.625(24) allows a court to order an interlock as a probation condition.
How long does the interlock stay on after a high-BAC conviction in Michigan?: MCL 257.319(8)(h) states the device may be removed after the interlock provider verifies to the Department of State that the individual operated the vehicle with no instances reaching or exceeding 0.025 grams per 210 liters of breath. The Department's removal instructions note that the Ignition Interlock Report must show a service date after the period of restriction is complete.
What is the license reinstatement fee after an OWI suspension in Michigan?: MCL 257.320e(1) requires an individual whose license is suspended, revoked, or restricted under sections 303, 319, 320, 324, 625, 625b, 625f, or 904 to pay a license reinstatement fee of $125.00 to the Secretary of State before a license is issued or returned. The Department of State's reinstatement-fee page describes payment online, by mail, or at an office.
Is there help with interlock costs for low-income drivers in Michigan?: MCL 257.625k(5)(c) requires each listed manufacturer to agree to provide an ignition interlock device without cost to a person whose gross income for the preceding tax year was less than 150% of the official poverty line; that person pays the installer a maintenance fee of not more than $2.00 per day.
Who is approved to install ignition interlock devices in Michigan?: The Michigan Department of State's Ignition Interlock Manufacturers List page states that manufacturers currently authorized to install devices for Michigan drivers are listed there, that each has been approved according to MCL 257.625k, and that the State does not endorse or recommend manufacturers. The page currently lists Smart Start, LifeSafer Interlock, Intoxalock, Alcohol Detection Systems, and RoadGuard Interlock.