Washington DC DUI Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): Mandatory Program, Costs & Approved Vendors
Washington DC has required an ignition interlock for every alcohol or drug-related DUI conviction since December 19, 2022 — there is no “wait-out” option. You must enroll within 30 days of conviction or your license is indefinitely revoked. DC uses a unique tiered violation extension system (60/90/120 days per violation), requires a cockpit camera on all devices, and mandates SR-22 insurance for 3 years. Four vendors are approved. Here’s how the program works.
Convicted of DUI in DC? You must enroll within 30 days. Get a quote from a DC DMV-approved vendor.
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Washington DC DUI interlock requirements at a glance
| Offense term | DUI (Driving Under the Influence) — DC Code § 50-2201.02; IID program under § 50-2201.05a |
| All-offender? | Yes — mandatory for all DUI/drug-related driving convictions with a DC credential since 12/19/2022. Also mandatory for implied consent refusals since 3/16/2023. No “wait-out” option exists. |
| 30-day enrollment deadline | Must enroll via the DC DMV IID Portal within 30 calendar days of conviction. Failure = indefinite license revocation + all vehicle registrations suspended. |
| 1st DUI conviction — IID term | 6 months |
| 2nd DUI conviction — IID term | 1 year |
| 3rd+ DUI conviction — IID term | 2 years |
| 3rd conviction within 5 years | Indefinite revocation |
| 1st refusal (implied consent) — IID term | 1 year |
| 2nd refusal — IID term | 2 years |
| 3rd refusal — IID term | 3 years |
| BrAC threshold | 0.020 — any reading at or above this level is a program violation |
| Cockpit camera | Required on all DC-program IIDs — the device must have a camera recording the driver during each test |
| Minimum usage | Must submit a minimum of 20 breath samples per 30-day period — the device cannot simply sit unused |
| Violation extensions | 1st violation: +60 days; 2nd violation: +90 days; 3rd and subsequent: +120 days each |
| Early exit penalty | License revoked + all vehicle registrations suspended + 1 additional year added to required enrollment period |
| All registered vehicles | IID must be installed on every vehicle on which the driver appears as a registrant |
| New vehicle | 30 days to install after vehicle is titled/registered; failure = registration suspended + program violation |
| Vehicle switch | 5 days to install in new vehicle; failure = program violation |
| Enrollment fee | $50 non-refundable application fee (paid via DC DMV IID Portal) |
| No indigent program | No DC DMV indigent cost-assistance program found — all device costs paid directly to the vendor |
| SR-22 required | Yes — 3 years from date of conviction; must obtain and maintain SR-22 as a condition of IID program enrollment |
| Who approves vendors | DC DMV — dmv.dc.gov/iidprogram |
| Governing law | DC Code § 50-2201.05a; § 50-1905; DC DMV IID Program regulations |
You have 30 days to enroll — missing the deadline indefinitely revokes your license. DC DMV sends a “Pending IID Program Enrollment Withdrawal Notice” after your conviction is upheld. The 30-day clock starts the day after your revocation is upheld by DC DMV’s Adjudication Services. If you miss the deadline, your driver’s license is indefinitely revoked and all your vehicle registrations are suspended — and you cannot simply wait out the original revocation period. There is no “wait-out” option in DC. Enroll promptly at the DC DMV IID Portal (online.dmv.dc.gov).
DC’s tiered violation extension system
DC uses a tiered approach — each subsequent violation adds progressively more time:
| Violation number | Days added |
|---|---|
| 1st violation | +60 days |
| 2nd violation | +90 days |
| 3rd violation and each subsequent | +120 days each |
A “violation” is any event reported by the vendor to DC DMV — including a reading at or above 0.020 BrAC, a missed rolling retest, or a missed maintenance visit. You have 10 days from the violation notice to contest in writing. All violations are cumulative and escalating — a driver with 4 violations adds 60 + 90 + 120 + 120 = 390 additional days to their term.
DC requires a cockpit camera and a minimum of 20 tests per 30-day period. Every DC-approved IID must include a cockpit camera that records the driver during each breath sample. The camera images are logged with test results. Additionally, drivers must submit a minimum of 20 breath samples per 30-day period — you cannot simply have the device installed and park the vehicle. Failure to meet the minimum test count can be treated as a program violation. Confirm with your vendor that their device meets DC’s camera requirement.
DC DMV-approved vendors
DC DMV currently lists four approved vendors. Intoxalock, Guardian, and ALCOLOCK are not on DC’s approved list. Note that ADS (Alcohol Detection Systems) appears as a separate vendor from our standard six — it is DC-approved.
| Vendor | Monthly est. | Camera | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Start | $70–100 | Required ✓ | 800-831-3299 |
| LifeSafer | $65–95 | Required ✓ | 800-634-3077 |
| RoadGuard (Dräger) | $65–95 | Required ✓ | 833-545-0368 |
| Alcohol Detection Systems (ADS) | $60–90 | Required ✓ | Contact via DC DMV portal |
Confirm current DC DMV approval at dmv.dc.gov/iidprogram before signing. Intoxalock, Guardian, and ALCOLOCK are not on the DC list. All DC devices must include a cockpit camera. Costs set by vendor — DC DMV does not set device pricing.
What an interlock costs in Washington DC
| DC DMV enrollment application fee | $50 (non-refundable) |
| Installation (one time, vendor-set) | $70–150 |
| Monthly lease + monitoring (vendor-set) | $65–100 |
| Removal | $50–75 |
DC DMV does not set device pricing — all costs are vendor-determined and paid directly to the vendor. No DC indigent cost-assistance program was found. Over a 6-month first-offense term: roughly $600–850 in device costs plus the $50 enrollment fee. Estimate your exact cost →
How to enroll — 5 steps
- Within 30 days of your DUI conviction being upheld by DC DMV Adjudication Services: log into the DC DMV IID Portal at online.dmv.dc.gov, complete the application, submit the penalty and violation agreement, and pay the $50 non-refundable enrollment fee.
- Obtain SR-22 insurance from your current insurer or a new carrier — SR-22 is a required condition of IID program enrollment. Tell the insurer you need SR-22 for the DC DMV IID Program.
- Contact a DC DMV-approved vendor (Smart Start, LifeSafer, RoadGuard, or ADS), confirm the device has a cockpit camera meeting DC requirements, and schedule installation on all vehicles registered to you.
- Drive with complete compliance. Submit at least 20 breath samples per 30-day period. The 0.020 BrAC threshold is strict. If you receive a violation notice, you have 10 days to contest in writing. Violations are cumulative and escalating (60/90/120+ days).
- Complete the required enrollment period with no early exit. Early exit = license revoked + 1 year added. After your full period, DC DMV lifts the restriction and you can have the device removed by your vendor.
30-day clock is running. Enroll now and book installation — failure to enroll indefinitely revokes your license.
Book installation
SR-22 insurance is required to enroll in the DC IID Program — for 3 years from the date of conviction. See Washington DC SR-22 costs and cheapest carriers →
Washington DC DUI interlock FAQ
Is an ignition interlock mandatory for every DUI in Washington DC?
Yes — since December 19, 2022, enrollment in DC DMV’s IID Program is mandatory for every DC credential holder convicted of an alcohol or drug-related driving offense. There is no “wait-out” period — you cannot simply serve the revocation without enrolling. The IID program is also mandatory for implied consent refusals since March 16, 2023.
What happens if I don’t enroll within 30 days in DC?
Your driver’s license is indefinitely revoked and all your vehicle registrations are suspended. DC DMV sends a “Pending IID Program Enrollment Withdrawal Notice” after conviction — the 30-day clock runs from the day after your revocation is upheld by DC DMV Adjudication Services. Enroll promptly at the DC DMV IID Portal.
How do DC’s violation extensions work?
DC uses a tiered escalating system: the first violation adds 60 days; the second adds 90 days; the third and each subsequent violation adds 120 days. A driver with four violations adds 390 total days. You have 10 days from a violation notice to contest in writing. Violations include BrAC readings ≥0.020, missed rolling retests, and missed maintenance visits.
Why does DC require a cockpit camera on the IID?
DC DMV requires all approved IIDs to include a cockpit camera that records the driver during each breath test. The camera images are logged with test results and reported to DC DMV. This is a DC-specific requirement — confirm with your vendor that their device meets the camera requirement before signing.
Which vendors are approved in Washington DC?
Four vendors are currently approved by DC DMV: Smart Start, LifeSafer, RoadGuard (Dräger), and Alcohol Detection Systems (ADS). Intoxalock, Guardian, and ALCOLOCK are not on DC’s list. You may use different vendors for different vehicles. Confirm current approval at dmv.dc.gov/iidprogram before signing.
Does DC require SR-22 insurance?
Yes — obtaining and maintaining SR-22 insurance is a required condition of DC IID program enrollment. DC DMV requires 3 years of SR-22 from the date of conviction. You must have SR-22 in place before enrollment is complete. See our Washington DC SR-22 page for costs and carrier options.
Sources:
DC DMV — IID Program FAQ;
DC DMV — IID Program;
DC Code § 50-2201.05a; § 50-1905.
Last verified August 2026.
Advertising disclosure: We may be compensated when you contact a vendor through our numbers or links. Content is informational only — not legal advice. Verify DC DMV approval before installation. ADS contact information not listed — reach via DC DMV IID portal.