Connecticut Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): Costs & Approved Providers
Connecticut requires an ignition interlock for every DUI conviction — and after any administrative per se suspension, even without a conviction. The structure is a 45-day hard suspension followed by an IID period, and the clock starts from your license restoration date, not your install date. Here’s what you need to know.
| All-offender state? | Yes — IID required for all DUI convictions (C.G.S. §14-227a(g)) and after any administrative per se suspension (§14-227b) |
| Structure | 45-day hard suspension → license restoration → IID term begins (clock runs from restoration, not install) |
| Duration — 1st offense (conviction) | 1 year after the 45-day suspension |
| Duration — 1st offense (admin per se test failure only, age 21+) | 6 months IID after 45-day suspension |
| Duration — 1st offense (refusal) | 1 year IID after 45-day suspension |
| Duration — 2nd offense | 3 years after 45-day suspension; year 1 driving limited to work, school, treatment, IID service, or probation |
| Duration — 3rd offense | Permanent revocation; petition allowed after 2 years; if reinstated, IID for life (petition to remove after 15 years) |
| Child passenger (under 18) | Separate crime under §14-227m with enhanced penalties; IID terms follow standard 1-year/3-year schedule |
| Who approves devices | CT DMV — Ignition Interlock Program |
| DMV fees | $175 license restoration fee + $100 IID administration fee |
| SR-22 required? | No — Connecticut does not require SR-22 or FR-44 filings after a DUI |
| Governing law | C.G.S. §14-227a(g); §14-227b(i); §14-227j/k; §14-227m; §14-111(i) |
| Offense term | DUI (statute: “operating under the influence”; locally also called OUI) |
How Connecticut’s IID program works
Connecticut’s structure is consistent across all offenses: a 45-day hard suspension with no driving, followed by license restoration with an IID requirement. The IID term begins on your license restoration date — not the date you install the device. If you delay installing after restoration, those days do not count toward your term. Install as soon as your 45 days are up.
For a first conviction, the IID term is 1 year. For a second offense, it’s 3 years, with the first year restricted to driving for work, school, treatment, IID service appointments, or probation. A third offense is permanent revocation — the IID is effectively lifetime if you’re ever reinstated, with a petition process available after 15 years.
Connecticut DMV-approved providers
Connecticut’s approved list currently includes four major national brands. Note: Guardian and Dräger/RoadGuard are not on Connecticut’s approved provider list.
| Provider | Monthly est. | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intoxalock | $60–100 | Statewide | 888-283-5899 |
| Smart Start | $70–100 | Statewide | 800-831-3299 |
| LifeSafer | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-634-3077 |
| ALCOLOCK | $60–90 | Statewide | 866-700-9300 |
Monthly estimates are market ranges. Confirm your provider’s current approval on the CT DMV IID page before signing. An unapproved provider will not satisfy your requirement. If cost is a barrier, ask vendors directly about discounted or waived fees — CT DMV directs low-income applicants to contact providers.
What an interlock costs in Connecticut
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly lease + monitoring | $60–100 |
| Removal | $50–75 |
| CT DMV license restoration fee | $175 |
| CT DMV IID administration fee | $100 |
Over a 1-year first-offense term, expect roughly $1,000–1,500 in device costs before the $275 in DMV fees. Estimate your exact cost →
How to get installed — 5 steps
- Serve your 45-day hard suspension — no driving during this period under any circumstances.
- At the end of 45 days, apply to CT DMV for license restoration and pay the $175 restoration fee and $100 IID administration fee.
- Call an approved provider immediately and schedule installation — your IID term clock starts at restoration, not install. Don’t delay.
- Bring your vehicle and DMV paperwork. Installation takes 60–90 minutes.
- Complete the full term from your restoration date, keeping every calibration appointment and service visit.
Violations that extend your term
Connecticut adds 30 days per violation to your IID term. Violations include a missed 25–30 day service appointment, a failed rolling retest, tampering or circumvention, and driving a non-IID vehicle during your restriction period. There is no distinction between violation types — each one costs you 30 days. Keep every service appointment and never drive a vehicle without the device while your restriction is active.