Minnesota ignition interlock & DWI (DUI) requirements
Minnesota 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. A repeat offense carries 2 years.
In Minnesota the offense is called DWI, driving while impaired; this page uses the statute's term. Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Minnesota, cited to the statute and Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS).
- IID on first offense
- Court's discretion
- Minimum IID period (first)
- 90 days, 1 year at 2× limit (optional)
- SR-22 filing
- Not required
The short answers
Do I need an interlock?
- First offense
- At the court's discretion
- Minimum period
- 90 days, 1 year at 2× limit (optional)
What the source says (3)
- First offense
“Optional participants If you are a first-time alcohol offender who has had your license revoked, you may be eligible for a limited license and have the option of regaining your driving privileges by participating in the program.”
- Minimum period
“Participating in the program ensures safe and legal driving, as well as allowing eligible alcohol or drug offenders to drive during the withdrawal period.”
- firstOffenseIid_mandate
“(1) a person whose license or permit to drive, or nonresident operating privilege, is revoked as described in subdivision 3, 4, or 5, at a time when the person has one qualified prior impaired driving incident within the past 20 years, or two or more qualified prior impaired driving incidents”
What it costs here
- State reinstatement fee
- $680
- Reduced-cost rule
- Reduced Fee for Ignition Interlock Service and Monitoring
- Interlock lease, national range
- $50–$150 per month
What the source says (3)
- State reinstatement fee
“Reinstatement Fee **Revoked licenses: alcohol/drugs/criminal vehicular operation (7/1/03) $680 Other revocation offenses, including revocation for no-fault insurance $30”
- State reinstatement fee
“A person whose driver's license has been revoked under section 169A.52, 169A.54, ... must pay a $250 fee plus a $430 surcharge for each instance of revocation before the driver's license is reinstated, except as provided in paragraph (f).”
- Reduced-cost rule
“provide device installation, servicing, and monitoring to indigent program participants at a discounted rate, according to the standards established by the commissioner;”
How to drive legally now
- Restricted license
- Available in some first-offense cases · Limited license
- Waiting period
- 15 days
- Hearing-request deadline
- 60 days from the notice
- Driving after a DWI in Minnesota: the restricted license
- How to get a license back in Minnesota
- Date the hearing deadline with the timeline calculator
What the source says (3)
- Restricted license
“Implied consent or driving while intoxicated (DWI) conviction - first offense on record or second on record with the first being more than 10 years old, only if you tested 0.15 blood alcohol concentration or below, or you refused the test”
- Waiting period
“a limited license must not be issued for a period of: (1) 15 days, to a person whose license or privilege has been revoked or suspended for a first violation of section 169A.20, sections 169A.50 to 169A.53, section 171.177”
- Hearing-request deadline
“Within 60 days following receipt of a notice and order of revocation or disqualification pursuant to section 169A.52 (revocation of license for test failure or refusal), a person may petition the court for review.”
Approved interlock providers
Vendors listed here appear on the Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Intoxalock | Intoxalock website | Find a location |
| LifeSafer | LifeSafer website | Find a location |
| Low Cost Interlocklisted by the agency as “LowCost Interlock” | Low Cost Interlock website | Find a location |
| RoadGuard Interlock | RoadGuard Interlock website | Find a location |
| Smart Start | Smart Start website | Find a location |
What Minnesota law requires
Minnesota'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: Minn. Stat. § 171.306
Ignition interlock requirement
| Item | Minnesota rule |
|---|---|
| IID on first offense | At the court's discretion |
| Minimum IID period, first offense | Optional; if elected, for the revocation period (not less than 90 days for a first test failure; not less than 1 year if the alcohol concentration is twice the legal limit or more) |
| Minimum IID period, repeat offense | 2 years (one qualified prior within 20 years); 6 years with two priors; 10 years with three or more |
Minn. Stat. § 171.178, subd. 8 mandates the ignition interlock program only for a person with one qualified prior impaired driving incident within 20 years (or two or more priors). DPS states a first-time alcohol offender whose license is revoked 'may be eligible for a limited license and have the option of regaining your driving privileges by participating in the program.' The revocation for a first test failure is not less than 90 days, or not less than one year if the alcohol concentration is twice the legal limit or more (§ 171.178, subd. 4).
What the source says (5)
- IID on first offense
“Optional participants If you are a first-time alcohol offender who has had your license revoked, you may be eligible for a limited license and have the option of regaining your driving privileges by participating in the program.”
- Minimum IID period, first offense
“Participating in the program ensures safe and legal driving, as well as allowing eligible alcohol or drug offenders to drive during the withdrawal period.”
- Minimum IID period, repeat offense
“participates in the ignition interlock device program in compliance with section 171.306 for a period of not less than: (1) two years ... when the person has one qualified prior impaired driving incident within the past 20 years”
- Ignition interlock statute
“171.306 Ignition Interlock Device Program”
- IID on first offense
“(1) if the person has no qualified prior impaired driving incidents within the past 20 years: (i) not less than 90 days; ... (iii) not less than one year if the test results indicate an alcohol concentration of twice the legal limit or more”
Removal: Compliance-based, authorized by a DVS full reinstatement letter. 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 Minnesota does, the sources below say so.
| SR-22 filing required after a DUI | No |
|---|---|
| Filing period | Not applicable |
Minnesota has no SR-22 form; DVS uses an 'Insurance Certification' (form PS35016). The form states the trigger: 'Minnesota statutes require that before reinstatement of revoked driving privileges or revoked registration for no insurance, the operator shall file a certificate of insurance', and that insurance must be maintained for one calendar year. The statutory source of that filing is Minn. Stat. § 169.797, subd. 4(f) and 4a (penalties for failure to provide vehicle insurance), and § 171.30, subd. 1(g) ties the insurance-card condition for a limited license to revocations under §§ 169.792 and 169.797 (no-insurance revocations). The alcohol-revocation reinstatement statute, § 171.29, contains no insurance or financial-responsibility requirement; § 169A.55 contains none; § 65B.67 was repealed in 1992. No DPS/DVS page or statute requires an insurance certification for a DWI or implied-consent revocation, and the DVS IIDP request-for-reinstatement page lists only form PS3001 and a certified driving record. Caveat: the form's opening sentence ('This certificate of insurance is required before an operator's revoked license can be reinstated') is phrased generally; DVS practice for DWI revocations has not been confirmed. Ignition-interlock participants must separately carry insurance on the interlock-equipped vehicle (§ 171.306, subd. 4).
What the source says (7)
- SR-22 filing required after a DUI
“Minnesota statutes require that before reinstatement of revoked driving privileges or revoked registration for no insurance, the operator shall file a certificate of insurance with the Commissioner of Public Safety.”
- sr22Note_iidp
“(2) the participant has insurance coverage on the vehicle equipped with the ignition interlock device.”
- SR-22 requirement
“Before reinstatement of a driver's license or registration, the operator shall file with the commissioner of public safety the written certificate of an insurance carrier authorized to do business in this state stating that security has been provided by the operator as required by section 65B.48.”
- sr22Note_form_general
“This certificate of insurance is required before an operator's revoked license can be reinstated. It is to be completed by an authorized representative of the insurance company (not the agent).”
- sr22Note_form_duration
“Insurance must be maintained for one calendar year.”
- sr22Note_limited_license
“If the person's driver's license or permit to drive has been revoked under section 169.792 or 169.797, the commissioner may only issue a limited license to the person after the person has presented an insurance identification card, policy, or written statement”
- sr22Note_iidp_reinstatement
“Request for Reinstatement (form PS3001)”
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 | $680 | 2026-08-29 |
| Reinstatement for revoked license:alcohol/drugs/criminal vehicular operation (DVS fee page; § 171.29, subd. 2(b): $250 fee plus $430 surcharge) | $680 | 2026-08 |
| Reduced service and monitoring fees for indigent participants, applied for yearly through DVS(§ 171.306, subd. 2(b)(1); Program Guidelines) | Discounted rate set by manufacturer | 2026-08 |
| State fees collected from manufacturers for device service | None; DVS does not regulate prices | 2026-08 |
Payment terms
- Partial payment permitted — Installment option under § 171.29, subd. 2(f): pay 50% of the fee and 50% of the surcharge plus $25; the license then expires after two years and the balance (50% less $25) extends it (as of 2026-08)
- Deferred until full reinstatement — Interlock participants may receive a restricted license before paying the $680 reinstatement fee and surcharge, but full reinstatement requires payment (§ 171.306, subd. 4(a)) (as of 2026-08)
What the source says (2)
- License reinstatement fee
“Reinstatement Fee **Revoked licenses: alcohol/drugs/criminal vehicular operation (7/1/03) $680 Other revocation offenses, including revocation for no-fault insurance $30”
- License reinstatement fee
“A person whose driver's license has been revoked under section 169A.52, 169A.54, ... must pay a $250 fee plus a $430 surcharge for each instance of revocation before the driver's license is reinstated, except as provided in paragraph (f).”
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 Minnesota's interlock program page or statute states them.
| Question | Minnesota rule |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | May not operate a motorcycle while interlock-restricted DVS states that a person in the Ignition Interlock Device Program cannot drive a motorcycle or have a motorcycle permit. The DVS Program Guidelines (October 2024) state the device can be installed on cars, pickup trucks and vans that can be operated with a standard class D license requiring no further endorsements, that a participant may operate an off-road recreational vehicle or motorboat only if it is equipped with an approved device, and that commercial vehicles are not allowed. What the source says“If you are in the Ignition Interlock Device Program (IIDP), you cannot drive a motorcycle or have a motorcycle permit.” |
| Employer-owned vehicle | Exempt with conditions Minn. Stat. § 171.306, subd. 4(b): a participant may drive an employer-owned vehicle not equipped with a device while in the normal course and scope of employment duties, pursuant to the program guidelines and with the employer's written consent. Minn. R. 7503.1775 and the DVS Program Guidelines: the participant applies to DVS for an employment exception variance, with a letter from the employer that describes the need for the vehicle, specifies the normal course and scope of duties, avers that the vehicle must display special registration plates under § 169A.60, and is notarized or completed before a DVS representative. The variance is not granted to a self-employed participant or to a participant who wholly or partially owns the entity that owns the vehicle. A participant with a variance may not drive a rental car in the course of employment, an employer-owned vehicle for personal use, or a Type III vehicle transporting children under 18 or vulnerable adults; must notify DVS within 15 days of changing or terminating employment; and must still have a device installed on the personal vehicle. What the source says“A participant may drive an employer-owned vehicle not equipped with an interlock device while in the normal course and scope of employment duties pursuant to the program guidelines established by the commissioner and with the employer's written consent.” |
| Unable to provide a breath sample | Not available The DVS Program Guidelines state there are no medical exemptions to waive an Ignition Interlock Device Program requirement on a driver's record. For diminished lung capacity, DPS may on written direction authorize the manufacturer to adjust the device, case by case, on a written request that includes the participant's name, address and driver's license number, the device manufacturer, and documentation from a licensed physician verifying and explaining the extent of the diminished lung capacity, including the lung capacity and Forced Vital Capacity; DPS contacts the vendor directly to authorize the adjustment. What the source says“If you have an Ignition Interlock Device Program requirement on your record, there are no medical exemptions to waive this requirement.” |
| Reduced-cost / indigent program | Available — Reduced Fee for Ignition Interlock Service and Monitoring Minn. Stat. § 171.306, subd. 2(b)(1) requires certified device manufacturers to provide installation, servicing and monitoring to indigent program participants at a discounted rate according to standards established by the commissioner. Per the DVS Program Guidelines, the participant applies to DVS using the Reduced Fee for Ignition Interlock Service and Monitoring form; DVS reviews the application and notifies the participant of eligibility; a participant may apply once per tax year and must reapply yearly; the reduced fee takes effect on the date of approval, is not retroactive to installation or earlier fees, applies to only one vehicle, and the participant must give the approval letter to the manufacturer. The state collects no fees from manufacturers and does not set prices; the participant still pays the license reinstatement fee. What the source says“provide device installation, servicing, and monitoring to indigent program participants at a discounted rate, according to the standards established by the commissioner;” |
| No-vehicle exemption for a second offense in 10 years / third on record (DVS Program Guidelines) | For a second alcohol, drug or refusal offense within 10 years (or third on record), the guidelines state a driver may be exempt from installing the device if the driver did not own or lease a vehicle at the time of the offense or at any time between the offense and the request for reinstatement, and did not commit a violation of chapters 169, 169A or 171; the written reinstatement request is submitted after the revocation period expires, with no driving during that period. What the source says“You may be exempt from installing the ignition interlock device if you did not own or lease a vehicle at time of offense, or at any time between time of the offense and your request for reinstatement, or committed a violation of chapter 169, 169A, or 171 in Minnesota State Statute.” |
| Commercial vehicles and CDL privileges | The device is installed only on vehicles operable with a standard class D license ('No commercial vehicles'); CDL privileges are not allowed while participating, and CDL holders must apply for a class D license. What the source says“Commercial Driving License (CDL) privileges are not allowed while participating in the ignition interlock device program. Any CDL class holders must apply for a class D license.” |
| Employment exception variance - persons not eligible (Minn. R. 7503.1775, subp. 2) | The commissioner may not grant the employment exception variance to a self-employed participant or to a person who wholly or partially owns the entity that owns the employer-owned vehicle. What the source says“The commissioner shall not grant an employment exception variance to a program participant who is self-employed, or to a person who wholly or partially owns an entity that owns an employer-owned motor vehicle.” |
Compare: motorcycles by state · employer, medical and reduced-cost exemptions by state
Frequently asked questions
- Is an ignition interlock required after a first DWI in Minnesota?
- Not as a mandate. Under Minn. Stat. § 171.178, subd. 8, the program is required for a person who has one qualified prior impaired driving incident within 20 years or two or more priors. DPS states that a first-time alcohol offender whose license is revoked may be eligible for a limited license and has the option of regaining driving privileges by participating in the program.
- How long must a repeat offender use the device?
- Under Minn. Stat. § 171.178, subd. 8(b), full driving privileges are not reinstated until the person completes treatment and participates in the ignition interlock program for not less than two years with one qualified prior within 20 years, six years with two priors, and ten years with three or more priors, subject to extensions for violations.
- What is the reinstatement fee after an alcohol-related revocation?
- The DVS fee page lists $680 for reinstatement of a license revoked for alcohol, drugs, or criminal vehicular operation. Minn. Stat. § 171.29, subd. 2(b) sets this as a $250 fee plus a $430 surcharge for each revocation, and subd. 2(f) allows a partial-payment option. Under § 171.306, subd. 4, a program participant is not eligible for full reinstatement until the fee and surcharge are paid.
- Does the state set interlock device prices?
- No. The DPS Program Guidelines state that Minnesota does not collect any fees from the manufacturer or service center, that costs are set by the manufacturer, and that DVS does not regulate prices. Under Minn. Stat. § 171.306, subd. 2(b), certified manufacturers must provide installation, servicing and monitoring to indigent participants at a discounted rate.
- Which manufacturers are certified in Minnesota?
- The DPS certified-manufacturers page lists Intoxalock, LifeSafer Interlock, Inc., LowCost Interlock, RoadGuard Interlock, and Smart Start MN. DPS states that the state does not endorse any manufacturers, vendors or products and that their appearance confirms only that the products have been certified by the Department of Public Safety.
Sources
- Minn. Stat. § 171.306 Ignition Interlock Device Program (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.178 Revocation, denial, and reinstatement; DWI (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.29 Revoked license; conditions for reinstatement (Revisor of Statutes)
- Minn. Stat. § 171.30 Limited license (Revisor of Statutes)
- DPS DVS: Ignition Interlock Device Program (IIDP)
- DPS DVS: Certified ignition interlock manufacturers
- DPS DVS: Ignition Interlock Program Guidelines (PDF, October 2024)
- DPS DVS: Driver's license and ID card fees
- DPS DVS: Insurance Certification form PS35016
- Minnesota House Research: An Overview of Minnesota's DWI Laws (PDF)
- Minn. Stat. § 169.797 Penalties for failure to provide vehicle insurance (certificate-of-insurance filing before reinstatement)
- Minn. Stat. § 169.792 Revocation of license for failure to produce proof of insurance
- Minn. Stat. § 169A.55 License revocation termination; license reinstatement (no insurance provision)
- Minn. Stat. § 65B.67 (repealed 1992)
- DPS DVS: Ignition Interlock Device Program request for reinstatement
- DPS DVS: Reintegration driver's license
Record history
- — Record verified against primary sources.