Virginia ignition interlock & DUI requirements
Virginia 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.
Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Virginia, cited to the statute and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
- IID on first offense
- Court's discretion
- Minimum IID period (first)
- 12 consecutive months
- SR-22 filing
- Required · 3 years
The short answers
Do I need an interlock?
- First offense
- At the court's discretion
- Minimum period
- 12 consecutive months
What the source says (2)
- First offense
“the only restriction of a restricted license that the court shall impose is to prohibit the offender from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock system for not less than 12 consecutive months”
- Minimum period
“Upon motion of an offender, a court may require a minimum of six consecutive months without alcohol-related violations of the interlock requirements if additional restrictions are ordered for the duration of the restricted license.”
What it costs here
- State reinstatement fee
- $220
- Restricted-license fee
- $220
- State fee cap
- $65 standard installation ($130 hybrid/push-button start)…
- Interlock lease, national range
- $50–$150 per month
What the source says (5)
- State reinstatement fee
“$220 Fee Required if your driving privilege is suspended, revoked or disqualified for: Financial responsibility requirement Manslaughter resulting from operating a motor vehicle Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol”
- reinstatementFee_split
“Of the $220 collected, the law requires DMV to: Transfer $40 to the Alcohol Safety Action Program Transfer $25 to the Neurotrauma Fund Transfer $100 to Virginia's Trauma Center Fund Keep $55 to cover DMV expenses”
- State reinstatement fee
“pays to the Commissioner a reinstatement fee of $30. The reinstatement fee shall be increased by $30 whenever such suspension or revocation results from conviction of involuntary manslaughter”
- Restricted-license fee
“Such restricted license shall be conditioned upon enrollment within 15 days in, and successful completion of, a program as described in subsection A and the installation of an ignition interlock system pursuant to § 18.2-270.1.”
- State fee cap
How to drive legally now
- Restricted license
- Available in some first-offense cases · Restricted Driving Privileges
- Waiting period
- 7 days
- Hearing-request deadline
- 7 days from the notice
- Driving after a DUI in Virginia: the restricted license
- How to get a license back in Virginia
- Date the hearing deadline with the timeline calculator
What the source says (3)
- Restricted license
“The court may grant you restricted driving privileges at the time of conviction if you were convicted, or found not innocent (if you are a juvenile), of the following violations: Driving Under the Influence (DUI), 1st Offense”
- Waiting period
“such restricted permit shall not be issued to the person before the expiration of the first seven days of the suspension imposed under subsection A.”
- Hearing-request deadline
“Any person whose license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle has been suspended under subsection A may, during the period of the suspension, request the general district court or, as appropriate, the court with jurisdiction over juveniles of the jurisdiction in which the arrest was made”
Approved interlock providers
Vendors listed here appear on the Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| LifeSafer | LifeSafer website | Find a location |
| RoadGuard Interlocklisted by the agency as “RoadGuard” | RoadGuard Interlock website | Find a location |
| Smart Start | Smart Start website | Find a location |
What Virginia law requires
Virginia'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: Va. Code § 18.2-270.1
Ignition interlock requirement
| Item | Virginia rule |
|---|---|
| IID on first offense | At the court's discretion |
| Minimum IID period, first offense | Not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations (as a condition of a restricted license); on the offender's motion the court may set a minimum of six consecutive months if additional restrictions are ordered |
| Minimum IID period, repeat offense | Not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations, installed on each motor vehicle owned by or registered to the offender |
For a first adult conviction under § 18.2-266, Va. Code § 18.2-270.1(C) provides that the only restriction the court shall impose on a restricted license is the ignition interlock requirement (not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations). The interlock is therefore mandatory to drive on a restricted license during the license revocation, but is not otherwise a condition of restoring an unrestricted license after a first offense; under § 18.2-271.1(C) restoration is conditioned on an interlock only for an offense other than a first offense. For second or subsequent offenses (or a § 18.2-51.4 conviction) the court must require an interlock on each vehicle owned or registered to the offender (§ 18.2-270.1(B)).
What the source says (5)
- IID on first offense
“the only restriction of a restricted license that the court shall impose is to prohibit the offender from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock system for not less than 12 consecutive months”
- Minimum IID period, first offense
“Upon motion of an offender, a court may require a minimum of six consecutive months without alcohol-related violations of the interlock requirements if additional restrictions are ordered for the duration of the restricted license.”
- Minimum IID period, repeat offense
“require that such a system be installed on each motor vehicle, as defined in § 46.2-100 , owned by or registered to the offender, in whole or in part, for any period of time not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations of the interlock requirements”
- Ignition interlock statute
“§ 18.2-270.1 . Ignition interlock systems; penalty.”
- IID on first offense
“if the conviction was for an offense other than a first offense, the court shall order that restoration”
Removal: Compliance-based, authorized by the local ASAP. Under Va. Code § 18.2-270.1(C), for an adult first § 18.2-266 offense the restricted-license interlock condition runs not less than 12 consecutive months without… 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 Virginia does, the sources below say so.
| SR-22 filing required after a DUI | Yes |
|---|---|
| Filing period | 3 years |
FR-44 (not SR-22). Virginia DMV requires an FR-44 Uniform Financial Responsibility Certificate for DUI-related convictions (§ 18.2-266, § 18.2-51.4, § 18.2-272), with liability limits double the SR-22 minimums in § 46.2-472. DMV's reinstatement guide (DMV 292) states the certificate must be in effect for three years from the suspension/revocation end date, and while holding restricted driving privileges.
What the source says (4)
- SR-22 filing required after a DUI
“FR-44 certification is required for the following convictions: Maiming while under the influence Driving while under the influence of intoxicants or drugs”
- Filing period
“you must have a SR-22, or if applicable, a FR-44 in effect [...] For three years from the: [...] Suspension/revocation end date”
- SR-22 requirement
“FR-44 liability insurance coverage limits are double the SR-22 insurance coverage limits set forth in the Code of Virginia § 46.2-472 .”
- sr22Note_form
“Use this form to comply with Virginia Code §46.2-316 C for a motor vehicle liability insurance policy with coverage that is double the minimum limits generally required by Virginia Code §46.2-472.”
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 | $220 | 2026-08-29 |
| DMV license reinstatement fee for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol (DMV Reinstatement Fees page; $40 to ASAP, $25 Neurotrauma Fund, $100 Trauma Center Fund, $55 DMV) | $220 | 2026-08 |
| Multiple-order fee for each additional active suspension/revocation order(DMV) | $5 per additional order | 2026-08 |
| Court/administrative fee for the ignition interlock system, paid to the clerk of court(Va. Code § 18.2-270.1(B)) | $20 | 2026-08 |
| VASAP (alcohol safety action program) entry fee set by the courtmay be reduced or waived on a finding of indigency(Va. Code § 18.2-271.1(B)) | $250–$300 | 2026-08 |
| Maximum offender charge for a standard ignition interlock installation (24VAC35-60-50(C)(1)) | $65 (hybrid/push-button start: $130) | 2026-08 |
| Maximum monthly ignition interlock calibration/monitoring charge, inclusive of the $20 monthly administrative fee providers remit to the Commission (24VAC35-60-50(C)(5), (B)(4)) | $95 plus applicable taxes per month | 2026-08 |
| Ignition interlock removal charge (24VAC35-60-50(C)(4))change-of-vehicle installation (C)(3); violation reset (C)(9); missed appointment (C)(10) | $0 removal; $75 change of vehicle; $50 violation reset; $35 missed appointment | 2026-08 |
| Indigency:every service provider must maintain an indigency fund for offenders declared indigent by the court and approved by the Commission (24VAC35-60-50(E)) | fee reduction for approved indigent offenders | 2026-08 |
What the source says (10)
- License reinstatement fee
“$220 Fee Required if your driving privilege is suspended, revoked or disqualified for: Financial responsibility requirement Manslaughter resulting from operating a motor vehicle Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol”
- Multiple-order fee for each additional active suspension/revocation order (DMV)
“Individuals with two or more active suspension/revocation/disqualification orders must pay a $5 MULTIPLE ORDER fee for each order after the first one.”
- Court/administrative fee for the ignition interlock system, paid to the clerk of court (Va. Code § 18.2-270.1(B))
“A fee of $20 to cover court and administrative costs related to the ignition interlock system shall be paid by any such offender to the clerk of the court.”
- VASAP (alcohol safety action program) entry fee set by the court (Va. Code § 18.2-271.1(B)); may be reduced or waived on a finding of indigency
“The court shall require the person entering such program under the provisions of this section to pay a fee of no less than $250 but no more than $300. [...] Upon a positive finding that the defendant is indigent, the court may reduce or waive the fee.”
- Maximum offender charge for a standard ignition interlock installation (24VAC35-60-50(C)(1))
“1. $65 for a standard ignition interlock installation; 2. $130 for the installation of an ignition interlock on a hybrid motor vehicle, motor vehicle with a push button starter, or other vehicle requiring more than four hours of installation labor time when approved by the commission;”
- Maximum monthly ignition interlock calibration/monitoring charge, inclusive of the $20 monthly administrative fee providers remit to the Commission (24VAC35-60-50(C)(5), (B)(4))
“5. $95 plus applicable taxes for monthly ignition interlock calibrations or monitoring, inclusive of the monthly administrative fees to be paid to the commission; [...] 4. A $20 monthly ignition interlock administrative fee for each offender.”
- Ignition interlock removal charge (24VAC35-60-50(C)(4)); change-of-vehicle installation (C)(3); violation reset (C)(9); missed appointment (C)(10)
“3. $75 for a change of vehicle ignition interlock installation; 4. $0 for an ignition interlock removal; [...] 9. $50 for violation resets, when the violation is determined to be due to the fault of the offender; 10. $35 for missed appointments;”
- Indigency: every service provider must maintain an indigency fund for offenders declared indigent by the court and approved by the Commission (24VAC35-60-50(E))
“All service providers shall create and maintain an indigency fund for offenders who are eligible for a reduction in fees based upon a declaration of indigency by the court and approval by the commission.”
- License reinstatement fee
“Of the $220 collected, the law requires DMV to: Transfer $40 to the Alcohol Safety Action Program Transfer $25 to the Neurotrauma Fund Transfer $100 to Virginia's Trauma Center Fund Keep $55 to cover DMV expenses”
- License reinstatement fee
“pays to the Commissioner a reinstatement fee of $30. The reinstatement fee shall be increased by $30 whenever such suspension or revocation results from conviction of involuntary manslaughter”
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 Virginia's interlock program page or statute states them.
| Question | Virginia rule |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | A device may be installed on a motorcycle The only reference to motorcycles is in the Commission on VASAP's device specifications, 24VAC35-60-70(F)(21): the requirement that an interlock be installed with a camera recording the driver's seat 'shall not pertain to motorcycles and mopeds', which contemplates interlock installation on a motorcycle without a camera. Va. Code § 18.2-270.1 and the VASAP FAQ do not otherwise state whether a person under the interlock requirement may operate a motorcycle. What the source says“This requirement shall not pertain to motorcycles and mopeds. In addition, service providers are required to present a reference photo of the offender to confirm the offender's identity.” |
| Employer-owned vehicle | Exempt with conditions Va. Code § 18.2-270.1(I): a person under the interlock requirement may, solely in the course of employment, operate a vehicle owned or provided by the employer without an interlock if the court expressly permits it as a condition of the restricted license at the employer's request; the person may not operate any other vehicle without a functioning interlock and may never operate a school bus, school vehicle or commercial motor vehicle (§ 46.2-341.4); the exemption does not apply if the employer is an entity wholly or partially owned or controlled by the person. Per the VASAP FAQ and 2024 procedure manual, the employer must provide a notarized signature on the Employer Vehicle Verification Form (Employer Ignition Interlock Acknowledgement & Owner Verification Form) returned to the ASAP within 10 calendar days, and the client must still install an interlock in a personal vehicle to satisfy the requirement. What the source says“Any person prohibited from operating a motor vehicle under subsection B may, solely in the course of his employment, operate a motor vehicle that is owned or provided by his employer without installation of an ignition interlock system, if the court expressly permits such operation” |
| Unable to provide a breath sample | Available A breath-volume reduction, not a waiver of the requirement. 24VAC35-60-70(F)(4): devices require a 1.5 L sample, and the Commission may authorize service providers to adjust the breath volume to as low as 1.0 L on documentation from a licensed physician verifying an applicable medical condition. VASAP FAQ / 2024 manual Part XIII: the client signs the VASAP Breath Reduction Form, completes a pulmonary exam, and the physician's statement of lung capacity in liters goes through the ASAP case manager to the Commission on VASAP for approval, which then notifies the interlock vendor. What the source says“The commission may authorize service providers to adjust the breath volume requirement to as low as 1.0 L upon receipt of documentation from a licensed physician verifying the existence of an applicable medical condition.” |
| Reduced-cost / indigent program | Available Indigency fund maintained by every service provider (no state program name). 24VAC35-60-50(E): all service providers must create and maintain an indigency fund for offenders eligible for a fee reduction based on a declaration of indigency by the court and approval by the Commission, and may not deny service to such offenders; 24VAC35-60-80(K) and -90(F) state that a portion of the capped installation and monthly monitoring fees funds offender indigency. Per the 2024 VASAP procedure manual, the court marks indigent status on the DC-266 Ignition Interlock Form; the client completes the notarized 'VASAP Unaffordability Request Form' with two months of bank statements, submitted through the ASAP to the Commission, which decides on a full or partial waiver and its length; indigent status never covers months added for violations or months beyond the restricted-license end date. What the source says“All service providers shall create and maintain an indigency fund for offenders who are eligible for a reduction in fees based upon a declaration of indigency by the court and approval by the commission.” |
| School buses and commercial motor vehicles | Even under the employer exemption, a person under the interlock requirement may never operate a school bus, school vehicle or a commercial motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-341.4. What the source says“in no event, shall such person be permitted to operate a school bus, school vehicle, or a commercial motor vehicle as defined in § 46.2-341.4” |
| Non-owned vehicle installation | A person who does not own a vehicle may have the interlock installed in a friend's or family member's vehicle; all operators must attend the installation appointment and the owner must sign the notarized VASAP Consent to Install Form. What the source says“a person, subject to a Virginia ignition interlock requirement, can have an interlock installed in a friend or family member’s vehicle but it is imperative that any operators of the vehicle are in attendance at the interlock installation appointment” |
Compare: motorcycles by state · employer, medical and reduced-cost exemptions by state
Frequently asked questions
- Is an ignition interlock required after a first DUI conviction in Virginia?
- Under Va. Code § 18.2-270.1(C), for a first adult conviction under § 18.2-266 the only restriction the court imposes on a restricted license is that the offender may not operate a vehicle without a functioning, certified ignition interlock for not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations. On the offender's motion the court may require a minimum of six months if additional restrictions are ordered.
- What are the ignition interlock requirements for a second DUI in Virginia?
- Under Va. Code § 18.2-270.1(B), for a second or subsequent § 18.2-266 offense, or as a condition of license restoration under § 18.2-271.1(C), the court shall require an ignition interlock on each motor vehicle owned by or registered to the offender for not less than 12 consecutive months without alcohol-related violations of the interlock requirements.
- Does Virginia require an SR-22 or FR-44 after a DUI?
- Virginia DMV states that an FR-44 Uniform Financial Responsibility Certificate is required for convictions including driving under the influence of intoxicants or drugs, with liability limits double the SR-22 limits in Va. Code § 46.2-472. DMV's reinstatement guide (DMV 292) states the certificate must be in effect for three years from the suspension/revocation end date.
- What is the Virginia DMV reinstatement fee after a DUI?
- Virginia DMV's Reinstatement Fees page lists a $220 fee when the driving privilege is suspended or revoked for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol; of that, $40 goes to the Alcohol Safety Action Program, $25 to the Neurotrauma Fund, $100 to the Trauma Center Fund and $55 to DMV. A $5 multiple-order fee applies to each additional active order.
- What are the state-capped ignition interlock charges in Virginia?
- Under 24VAC35-60-50(C), Virginia service providers may charge offenders no more than $65 for a standard installation ($130 for hybrid or push-button-start vehicles), $95 plus applicable taxes per month for calibration/monitoring, $75 for a change-of-vehicle installation, $0 for removal, $50 for violation resets and $35 for missed appointments. Under subsection E, each provider must maintain an indigency fund.
Sources
- Va. Code § 18.2-270.1 – Ignition interlock systems; penalty (Virginia Law / LIS)
- Va. Code § 18.2-271.1 – Probation, education, and rehabilitation of person charged or convicted; ASAP
- Va. Code § 46.2-411 – Reinstatement of suspended or revoked license; reinstatement fee
- 24VAC35-60-50 – Ignition Interlock Program Regulations: Fees (Virginia Administrative Code)
- Virginia DMV – Reinstatement Fees
- Virginia DMV – Financial Responsibility Certifications (SR-22 / FR-44)
- Virginia DMV – A Guide to Reinstating Your Virginia Driving Privilege (DMV 292)
- Virginia DMV – FR-44 Uniform Financial Responsibility Certificate form
- Commission on VASAP – Certified Interlock & RAMD Devices / Approved Manufacturers-Service Providers (May 28, 2025)
- Commission on VASAP – Ignition Interlock & Remote Alcohol Monitoring Process and Procedure Manual (May 1, 2024)
Record history
- — Record verified against primary sources.