Washington State DUI Ignition Interlock Requirements (2026): IIL, Indigent Fund & Approved Providers
Washington State requires an ignition interlock for every DUI conviction — and also for deferred prosecutions, pretrial orders, and drivers who opt for an Ignition Interlock License (IIL) to drive during suspension. The final 180 consecutive days must be violation-free. Each violation adds 180 days. An IID Revolving Account covers up to $80/month for qualifying indigent drivers. Here’s everything you need to know.
| Offense term | DUI (Driving Under the Influence) / Physical Control — RCW 46.61.502 / 46.61.504 |
| All-offender? | Yes — any DUI or Physical Control conviction. Also required for deferred prosecution, pretrial IID order, or any driver opting for an Ignition Interlock License (IIL) to drive during suspension (RCW 46.20.720) |
| Ignition Interlock License (IIL) | Allows driving during a DUI suspension when IID is installed — $100 application fee (WAC 308-107-020). Most drivers opt for the IIL to maintain driving during suspension. |
| 1st offense — IID minimum | 1 year minimum (RCW 46.20.720) |
| 2nd offense — IID minimum | 5 years minimum |
| 3rd offense — IID minimum | 10 years minimum |
| Child passenger enhancement | +12 months per child under age 16 (standard DUI); +18 months per child if higher-BAC prong (RCW 46.61.5055(6)) |
| Final 180-day window | Final 180 consecutive days of the IID term must be violation-free. Vendor certifies compliance to DOL (RCW 46.20.720). |
| Violation penalty | +180 days per violation: BAC ≥0.04% startup attempt, failed/refused rolling retest, missed maintenance appointment, tampering, or unauthorized removal |
| IID Revolving Account | Funded by a $21/month state fee collected via vendor; covers up to $80/month for qualifying indigent drivers. Must reapply annually. (RCW 46.20.720) |
| Indigent eligibility | Income at or below federal poverty guidelines (DOL income test) |
| State IID fee | $21/month collected via vendor (funds the Revolving Account) |
| IIL application fee | $100 (WAC 308-107-020) |
| Device certifier | Washington State Patrol (WSP) certifies devices; DOL administers the license |
| SR-22 required? | Yes — generally 3 years from reinstatement eligibility (WA DOL) |
| Official resource | WA DOL — Ignition Interlock Device |
| Governing law | RCW 46.20.720; 46.20.385; 46.61.5055; WAC 308-107-020 |
The 180-day violation-free window
Washington requires the final 180 consecutive days of the IID term to be completely violation-free before the vendor can certify compliance to DOL and removal can be authorized. Each of the following adds 180 days and restarts the clock:
- Startup attempt with BAC ≥ 0.04%
- Failed or refused rolling retest
- Missed maintenance/calibration appointment
- Tampering or unauthorized removal
Violations are cumulative — multiple violations keep adding 180-day blocks. Missing a single maintenance appointment carries the same 180-day penalty as a failed test.
IID Revolving Account — indigent assistance
Washington funds indigent IID assistance through a Revolving Account built from a $21/month state fee collected via the vendor from every participant. For qualifying drivers:
- Coverage: Up to $80/month toward device costs
- Eligibility: Income at or below federal poverty guidelines (DOL income test)
- Renewal: Must reapply annually — coverage is not automatic year over year
Note: The $21/month state fee is paid by all participants regardless of indigent status — it funds the pool that provides assistance to qualifying drivers.
WSP-certified providers
Three major national providers are WSP-certified and serve Washington. Guardian, Dräger/RoadGuard, and ALCOLOCK do not appear on the current WA approved 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 |
Confirm current WSP certification at dol.wa.gov before signing. Guardian, Dräger/RoadGuard, and ALCOLOCK are not on the current WA list. Monthly estimates are market ranges; the $21/month state fee is charged on top of device costs to all participants.
What an interlock costs in Washington
| Installation (one time) | $70–150 |
| Monthly device lease + monitoring | $60–100 (Revolving Account covers up to $80/mo for qualifying indigent) |
| WA state IID fee (all participants) | $21/month |
| Removal | $50–75 |
| IIL application fee | $100 |
Over a 1-year first-offense term: roughly $1,300–1,900 including the $21/month state fee and IIL application. Qualifying indigent drivers can offset device costs with Revolving Account assistance (up to $80/month). Estimate your exact cost →
How to get installed — 5 steps
- After conviction (or on a deferred prosecution or pretrial order), apply for an Ignition Interlock License (IIL) from WA DOL — $100 application fee. This allows you to drive during your suspension with the IID installed.
- If you may qualify for indigent assistance (income at or below federal poverty guidelines), complete the DOL income test before contacting a provider. Apply through DOL before installation.
- Contact a WSP-certified provider, confirm current certification, and schedule installation. The $21/month state fee is collected by the vendor on top of device costs.
- Drive with complete compliance. Missing even one maintenance appointment adds 180 days. The final 180 consecutive days must be violation-free — any violation restarts that clock.
- After the final 180 violation-free days, the vendor certifies compliance to DOL. DOL authorizes removal. Do not remove the device before DOL authorization.