When does North Carolina require an ignition interlock after a DWI?

Under G.S. 20-17.8, when NCDMV restores a license revoked for a DWI conviction, an interlock restriction is required if the person had an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more, had another impaired-driving offense within the preceding seven years, or was sentenced under G.S. 20-179(f3). It also applies after habitual impaired driving convictions.

How long does the interlock restriction last?

G.S. 20-17.8(c) sets the period at one year from restoration if the original revocation was one year, three years if the original revocation was four years, and seven years if the original revocation was permanent. Time spent on a limited driving privilege with an interlock under G.S. 20-179.3(g5) is credited toward this period.

Which interlock providers are listed by NCDMV?

The NCDMV License Suspension and Restoration page lists three ignition interlock providers: Smart Start Inc., Monitech Inc., and Intoxalock. The page states that ignition interlock devices are installed at the expense of the driver.

What fees does NCDMV charge to reinstate after a DWI suspension?

NCDMV's Driver License Restoration page lists, for July 1, 2024 to present, a DWI reinstatement fee of $167.75 (required when a DWI suspension term is complete), a restoration fee of $83.50, and a $50 service fee unless the license was surrendered to the court or mailed to NCDMV before the effective date.

Is there help with interlock costs for people who cannot afford them?

Under G.S. 20-179.5(b)-(c), a person ordered by a court or required by statute to install an interlock who cannot afford it may apply to an authorized vendor for a waiver of a portion of the costs, using an NCDMV affidavit stating income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line or enrollment in TANF, SSI, SNAP, LIHEAP or Medicaid.

NCVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

North Carolina ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in North Carolina, cited to the statute and the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.

IID on first offense: Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period (first): 1 year from the date of restoration
SR-22 filing: Required · 3 yr
Reinstatement fee: $167.75

What North Carolina law requires

North Carolina'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: N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-17.8

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in North Carolina by offense
Item	North Carolina rule
IID on first offense	Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period, first offense	1 year from the date of restoration (where the original revocation period was one year)
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	3 years from restoration if the original revocation was four years; 7 years if the original revocation was permanent

Under G.S. 20-17.8(a)(1), the interlock restriction on restoration applies to a first DWI (G.S. 20-138.1) conviction only when the person had an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more (also if a prior impaired-driving offense within seven years, or sentencing under G.S. 20-179(f3)). Separately, under G.S. 20-179.3(g5) a judge shall include an interlock requirement in any limited driving privilege order where the alcohol concentration was 0.15 or more.

Approved interlock providers

Vendors listed here appear on the North Carolina 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: North Carolina agency vendor list

Approved interlock vendors in North Carolina
Vendor	Website	Location finder
Intoxalock	Intoxalock website	Find a location
Monitech Inc.	Monitech Inc. 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 North Carolina does, the sources below say so.

SR-22 requirement in North Carolina
SR-22 filing required after a DUI	Yes
Filing period	3 years

North Carolina does not use the SR-22 form; the required filing is 'proof of financial responsibility' — in NCDMV practice the DL-123 certificate from a North Carolina-licensed insurer (or an insurance binder/policy). Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-19(k), before the Division restores a license suspended or revoked under any provision of Article 2 of Chapter 20 (the Uniform Driver's License Act, which includes the mandatory DWI revocation in G.S. 20-17), the person must submit proof that they have notified their insurer of the restoration and are financially responsible, in the form of an insurer's certificate or a binder/policy; that financial responsibility must be kept in effect for not less than three years after the date the license is restored, and failure to maintain it is grounds for a 30-day suspension of the restored license. NCDMV's License Suspension & Restoration page states that some suspensions require proof of insurance at the time of reinstatement, and its Proving Liability Insurance page lists the DL-123 as the acceptable form. Article 9A (G.S. 20-279.1 et seq.) separately requires proof of financial responsibility after unsatisfied judgments and accident-security suspensions.

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 North Carolina
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$167.75	2026-08-28
DWI reinstatement fee (July 1, 2024-present), required when a DWI suspension term is complete	$167.75	2026-08
Restoration fee (July 1, 2024-present)	$83.50	2026-08
Service fee (unless license surrendered to court or mailed to NCDMV before effective date)	$50	2026-08
Interlock cost waiver (G.S. 20-179.5): persons at or below 150% of the federal poverty line or enrolled in TANF, SSI, SNAP, LIHEAP or Medicaid may apply to an authorized vendor for a waiver of a portion of interlock costs	Partial waiver available (effective June 1, 2022)	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

When does North Carolina require an ignition interlock after a DWI?: Under G.S. 20-17.8, when NCDMV restores a license revoked for a DWI conviction, an interlock restriction is required if the person had an alcohol concentration of 0.15 or more, had another impaired-driving offense within the preceding seven years, or was sentenced under G.S. 20-179(f3). It also applies after habitual impaired driving convictions.
How long does the interlock restriction last?: G.S. 20-17.8(c) sets the period at one year from restoration if the original revocation was one year, three years if the original revocation was four years, and seven years if the original revocation was permanent. Time spent on a limited driving privilege with an interlock under G.S. 20-179.3(g5) is credited toward this period.
Which interlock providers are listed by NCDMV?: The NCDMV License Suspension and Restoration page lists three ignition interlock providers: Smart Start Inc., Monitech Inc., and Intoxalock. The page states that ignition interlock devices are installed at the expense of the driver.
What fees does NCDMV charge to reinstate after a DWI suspension?: NCDMV's Driver License Restoration page lists, for July 1, 2024 to present, a DWI reinstatement fee of $167.75 (required when a DWI suspension term is complete), a restoration fee of $83.50, and a $50 service fee unless the license was surrendered to the court or mailed to NCDMV before the effective date.
Is there help with interlock costs for people who cannot afford them?: Under G.S. 20-179.5(b)-(c), a person ordered by a court or required by statute to install an interlock who cannot afford it may apply to an authorized vendor for a waiver of a portion of the costs, using an NCDMV affidavit stating income at or below 150% of the federal poverty line or enrollment in TANF, SSI, SNAP, LIHEAP or Medicaid.