When is an ignition interlock required after a Rhode Island DUI?

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2(d)(1)(iii), a first-offense conviction with a BAC of .15 or above (or under the influence of drugs) requires the judge or magistrate to prohibit driving a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock and/or blood and urine testing. For first offenses below .15 the court 'may' impose it. Second and subsequent convictions 'shall' carry the prohibition (§ 31-27-2(d)(2)–(3)).

How long does the interlock period last?

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(b) sets ranges: three months to one year for a first violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1); six months to two years for a second violation (§ 31-27-2(d)(2)) or a first refusal; one to four years for a third violation or second refusal; and two to ten years for a third refusal.

Who issues the interlock restriction and hardship license?

The RI DMV states that 'Only a Rhode Island court can issue a hardship license or ignition interlock restriction upon conviction of an alcohol related offense in accordance with RIGL 31-27-2.8,' and that the DMV 'only ensures that the hardship and interlock restrictions are added to the Rhode Island driver's license.' Under 280-RICR-30-15-9, the DMV places a 'U' restriction on the record and license.

What DMV fees apply after an alcohol-related suspension?

The RI DMV Adjudication Fees table lists License Reinstatement and Refusals (DUI) at $353.50, an Ignition Interlock Device fee of $100.00, Registration Reinstatement at $253.50, and Alcohol Education at $405.00, each including a $3.50 technology surcharge. The DMV's Hardship License Instructions also list a $27.50 fee to update the license with the interlock restriction. The DMV states it does not offer payment plans.

RIVerified against primary sources · August 28, 2026

Rhode Island ignition interlock & DUI requirements

Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Rhode Island, cited to the statute and the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Revenue).

IID on first offense: Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period (first): 3 months to 1 year
SR-22 filing: No
Reinstatement fee: $353.50

What Rhode Island law requires

Rhode Island'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: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8

Ignition interlock requirement

Ignition interlock requirements in Rhode Island by offense
Item	Rhode Island rule
IID on first offense	Required only above a high-BAC threshold
Minimum IID period, first offense	3 months to 1 year (first offense under § 31-27-2(d)(1), per § 31-27-2.8(b)(1)); 6 months to 2 years for a first refusal (§ 31-27-2.1(c)(1), per § 31-27-2.8(b)(2))
Minimum IID period, repeat offense	6 months to 2 years (second offense under § 31-27-2(d)(2), per § 31-27-2.8(b)(3)); 1 to 4 years for a second refusal (§ 31-27-2.8(b)(4)); 1 to 4 years for a third or subsequent DUI (§ 31-27-2.8(b)(5))

Threshold: BAC of 0.15 or above (or under the influence of drugs). Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2(d)(1)(iii), for a first offense with BAC .15 or above the sentencing judge or magistrate 'shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle ... that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8.' For a first offense below .15 (§ 31-27-2(d)(1)(i)–(ii)) the judge or magistrate 'may' impose the interlock (discretionary). Separately, § 31-27-2.8(b) lets any mandatory suspension be reduced 'upon request' by imposition of an interlock, and § 31-27-2.8(c) provides that a hardship license 'shall only be granted in conjunction with the installation of an ignition interlock device and/or blood and urine testing.' The interlock is ordered by the court, not the DMV; the DMV adds the restriction to the license.

Approved interlock providers

Vendors listed here appear on the Rhode Island 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: Rhode Island agency vendor list

Approved interlock vendors in Rhode Island
Vendor	Website	Location finder
Alcohol Detection Systems	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 Interlock	Low Cost Interlock website	Find a location
Sens-O-Lock of America	Sens-O-Lock of America 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 Rhode Island does, the sources below say so.

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

The RI DMV's GU-1338 Special Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate page states: 'Please be advised that Financial Responsibility (SR-22) is no longer required by the State of Rhode Island.' The GU-1338 certificate is required only for certain business plate types and minors registering vehicles; a DUI conviction is not among the listed triggers.

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 Rhode Island
Item	Amount	As of
License reinstatement fee	$353.50	2026-08-28
License Reinstatement and Refusals (DUI) — RI DMV Adjudication Fees table (includes $3.50 technology surcharge; the DMV's Hardship License Instructions PDF lists $352.50)	$353.50	2026-08
Ignition Interlock Device — DMV fee paid at the Adjudication Office	$100.00	2026-08
Registration Reinstatement (Adjudication Fees table; Hardship License Instructions PDF lists $252.50)	$253.50	2026-08
Alcohol Education program fee (Adjudication Fees table)	$405.00	2026-08
Updated/duplicate license to add the hardship or interlock restriction (Hardship License Instructions PDF says $27.50; DMV license fees table lists Duplicate License $28.50)	$27.50–$28.50 (see label)	2026-08

Frequently asked questions

When is an ignition interlock required after a Rhode Island DUI?: Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2(d)(1)(iii), a first-offense conviction with a BAC of .15 or above (or under the influence of drugs) requires the judge or magistrate to prohibit driving a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock and/or blood and urine testing. For first offenses below .15 the court 'may' impose it. Second and subsequent convictions 'shall' carry the prohibition (§ 31-27-2(d)(2)–(3)).
How long does the interlock period last?: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(b) sets ranges: three months to one year for a first violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1); six months to two years for a second violation (§ 31-27-2(d)(2)) or a first refusal; one to four years for a third violation or second refusal; and two to ten years for a third refusal.
Who issues the interlock restriction and hardship license?: The RI DMV states that 'Only a Rhode Island court can issue a hardship license or ignition interlock restriction upon conviction of an alcohol related offense in accordance with RIGL 31-27-2.8,' and that the DMV 'only ensures that the hardship and interlock restrictions are added to the Rhode Island driver's license.' Under 280-RICR-30-15-9, the DMV places a 'U' restriction on the record and license.
Does Rhode Island require an SR-22 after a DUI?: No. The RI DMV's GU-1338 Special Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate page states that 'Financial Responsibility (SR-22) is no longer required by the State of Rhode Island.' The GU-1338 certificate applies only to certain business plate types and to minors registering a vehicle.
What DMV fees apply after an alcohol-related suspension?: The RI DMV Adjudication Fees table lists License Reinstatement and Refusals (DUI) at $353.50, an Ignition Interlock Device fee of $100.00, Registration Reinstatement at $253.50, and Alcohol Education at $405.00, each including a $3.50 technology surcharge. The DMV's Hardship License Instructions also list a $27.50 fee to update the license with the interlock restriction. The DMV states it does not offer payment plans.