Virginia DUI Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): VASAP, FR-44 & Approved Providers
Virginia mandates an ignition interlock for every alcohol-based DUI conviction — the court “shall” order it as a condition of any restricted license. Virginia’s program is administered by local ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Program) offices under VASAP statewide. The state requires FR-44 insurance (higher limits than standard SR-22), not SR-22. Any reading at or above 0.02% BAC adds 6 months to your term. Here’s how it works.
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Virginia DUI interlock requirements at a glance
| Offense term | DUI (Driving Under the Influence) — Va. Code 18.2-266 |
| All-offender? | Yes for alcohol-based DUI — 18.2-266(i)(ii)(iv). Court “shall” order IID as restricted-license condition. Drug-only clauses (iii)(v) are discretionary. |
| Administrator | Local ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Program) office monitors compliance; VASAP oversees statewide — vasap.virginia.gov |
| 1st offense — IID minimum | Not less than 12 consecutive violation-free months (18.2-270.1(C)); court may reduce to 6-month minimum with added restrictions. Note: DMV guide states 6 months for 1st offense — confirm your specific order with VASAP/court. |
| 2nd offense — IID minimum | Minimum 12 consecutive violation-free months on each vehicle owned/registered (18.2-270.1(B)); license revoked 3 years if prior within 10 years (46.2-391) |
| 3rd offense | Indefinite revocation; on restoration petition (typically after 5 years) IID required — at least 6 months for full restoration, or for the restricted-license term |
| Violation penalty | Any reading at or above 0.02% BAC, skipped/uncleared rolling retests, missed calibration/service, tampering, blocking the camera, or driving a non-equipped vehicle — typically adds 6 months from the violation date |
| IID on all vehicles | 2nd offense: required on each vehicle the driver owns or has registered — not just the primary vehicle (18.2-270.1(B)) |
| Removal authorization | Supervising ASAP office issues removal authorization to the vendor after the required violation-free period is complete. The court order controls the term length. |
| Indigent relief | VASAP “Unaffordability Request” — available for court-ordered interlock cases only (not DMV administrative cases). Approved by Commission on VASAP. Does not cover violation-added months. |
| Indigent eligibility | Court form DC-266 (indigent status) + notarized VASAP Unaffordability Request Form + 2 months bank statements |
| ASAP/DMV fees | ASAP program fee $300 + $100 intervention fee; ASAP interlock/RAMD monitoring $50/month; $20 court cost (18.2-270.1); DMV reinstatement $220 |
| Insurance required | FR-44 (not SR-22) — double the standard Virginia liability minimums; 3 years from end of suspension/revocation (46.2-316(C)) |
| Governing law | Va. Code 18.2-270.1; 18.2-266; 18.2-270; 46.2-316(C); 46.2-391.01 |
How Virginia’s VASAP program works
Virginia’s interlock program runs through local ASAP offices — not just a DMV portal. After conviction:
- Court orders IID as a condition of the restricted license under 18.2-270.1. The court order specifies the minimum term.
- VASAP/local ASAP monitors your compliance throughout. The $50/month ASAP interlock/RAMD monitoring fee is separate from device costs.
- Any violation (0.02%+ reading, missed retest, missed service, tampering, camera blockage, or driving a non-IID vehicle) is reported to ASAP and typically adds 6 months from the violation date.
- Removal requires ASAP authorization to the vendor — the vendor cannot de-install without it.
Virginia’s violation threshold is 0.02% BAC — extremely strict. Any reading at or above 0.02% BAC is treated as a violation and typically adds 6 months from that date. This is one of the strictest violation thresholds in the country. Mouth alcohol from food, mouthwash, or medication can occasionally trigger readings at this level — rinse with water before every test and wait at least 15 minutes after eating, drinking, or using any oral product before blowing. The $50/month ASAP monitoring fee continues during any extension period.
Second offense: IID required on every vehicle you own or have registered. Under 18.2-270.1(B), a second DUI conviction requires the IID on each vehicle owned or registered to the driver — not just the vehicle primarily driven. If you own multiple vehicles, each must be equipped. This applies even to vehicles that are rarely driven. Confirm the full list of vehicles subject to the requirement with your ASAP office.
VASAP Unaffordability Request — indigent cost relief
VASAP’s Unaffordability Request process is available for court-ordered interlock cases (not DMV administrative cases). To apply:
- Required documents: Court form DC-266 showing indigent status + notarized VASAP Unaffordability Request Form + 2 months of bank statements
- Approval: Commission on VASAP reviews and approves
- Important limitation: The Unaffordability Request does not cover months added due to violations — only the court-ordered base term
VASAP-approved providers
Three providers are on VASAP’s approved list. Intoxalock, Guardian, and ALCOLOCK are not on the VASAP list.
| Provider | Monthly est. | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Start | $70–100 | Statewide | 800-831-3299 |
| LifeSafer | $65–95 | Statewide | 800-634-3077 |
| RoadGuard (Dräger) | $65–95 | Statewide | 833-545-0368 |
Confirm current VASAP approval at vasap.virginia.gov before signing. Intoxalock, Guardian, and ALCOLOCK are not on the VASAP list. Monthly estimates are market ranges; ASAP monitoring fee ($50/mo) is separate and required. Note: RoadGuard is listed in VASAP materials as Dräger’s US interlock brand.
What an interlock costs in Virginia
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly device lease + monitoring | $65–100 |
| ASAP interlock/RAMD monitoring fee | $50/month (required, separate from device) |
| Removal | $50–75 (VASAP manual notes no vendor removal charge — confirm with provider) |
| ASAP program fee | $300 |
| ASAP intervention fee | $100 |
| IID court cost | $20 |
| DMV reinstatement fee | $220 |
Over a 12-month first-offense term: roughly $1,600–2,200 including ASAP fees and DMV reinstatement — more than most states due to the $50/month ASAP monitoring fee layered on top of device costs. Estimate your exact cost →
How to enroll — 5 steps
- After conviction, enroll with your local ASAP office — they manage your case throughout. If seeking indigent cost relief, obtain court form DC-266, complete the VASAP Unaffordability Request Form (notarized), and gather 2 months of bank statements. Submit to the Commission on VASAP before installation.
- Contact a VASAP-approved provider, confirm current approval, and schedule installation. Only Smart Start, LifeSafer, and RoadGuard (Dräger) are on the VASAP list — confirm this before signing.
- Obtain your restricted license from DMV. Pay the $220 DMV reinstatement fee, $300 ASAP program fee, $100 ASAP intervention fee, and $20 IID court cost.
- Drive with complete compliance. Virginia’s 0.02% violation threshold is strict — rinse with water before tests, wait 15 minutes after eating or oral hygiene products. Any violation adds 6 months from that date. ASAP monitoring fee ($50/mo) continues through any extension.
- After the required consecutive violation-free months, your ASAP office authorizes removal. The vendor de-installs only after receiving ASAP authorization. Do not request de-installation from the vendor without ASAP authorization.
Virginia requires FR-44 insurance — not standard SR-22. Higher limits, higher cost. See the FR-44 page.
FR-44 quotes →
Virginia uses FR-44 insurance — not SR-22. FR-44 requires double the standard Virginia liability minimums for 3 years from the end of your suspension/revocation. See Virginia FR-44 costs and cheapest carriers →
Virginia DUI interlock FAQ
Is an ignition interlock mandatory for every DUI in Virginia?
Yes for alcohol-based DUI — the court “shall” order an IID as a condition of any restricted license for convictions under 18.2-266(i)(ii)(iv). Drug-only DUI clauses (iii)(v) are discretionary. In practice, any alcohol-involved DUI conviction means the IID is required to drive at all during the suspension/revocation period.
Why is Virginia’s violation threshold 0.02% BAC?
Virginia sets the IID violation trigger at 0.02% BAC — one of the strictest in the country. Any reading at or above that level is treated as a violation and typically adds 6 months from the violation date. This means even trace amounts of alcohol from food, mouthwash, or medication can trigger an extension. Rinse with water before every test and wait at least 15 minutes after eating or using any oral product.
What is the VASAP Unaffordability Request?
VASAP’s cost-relief mechanism for court-ordered interlock cases (not DMV administrative cases). Submit court form DC-266 showing indigent status, a notarized VASAP Unaffordability Request Form, and 2 months of bank statements to the Commission on VASAP for approval. Important: relief does not cover any months added by violations — only the court-ordered base term. Confirm the process with your local ASAP office.
Which providers are approved in Virginia?
Three providers are on VASAP’s approved list: Smart Start, LifeSafer, and RoadGuard (Dräger’s US interlock brand). Intoxalock, Guardian, and ALCOLOCK are not on the VASAP list. Confirm current approval at vasap.virginia.gov before signing — using a non-approved provider means the IID doesn’t satisfy the court order.
Does Virginia require SR-22 or FR-44 after a DUI?
FR-44 — not SR-22. Virginia requires FR-44 (higher limits than standard SR-22) for DUI and related alcohol convictions under 46.2-316(C). SR-22 applies in Virginia only for non-DUI causes such as uninsured motorist incidents or unsatisfied judgments. See our Virginia FR-44 page for limits and cheapest carriers.
Sources:
VASAP — Interlock / RAMD;
Va. Code 18.2-270.1; 18.2-266; 46.2-316(C).
Last verified August 2026.
Advertising disclosure: We may be compensated when you contact a provider through our numbers or links. Content is informational only — not legal advice. Verify VASAP approval before installation.