License Reinstatement After DUI — State-by-State Guide
Getting your license back after a DUI requires completing your suspension period, paying reinstatement fees, installing an ignition interlock device (IID), obtaining SR-22 insurance, and completing all court-ordered programs. Every state is different. Select your state below for specific requirements.
Quick Answer
First-offense DUI suspensions range from 30 days to 2 years depending on your state. Reinstatement fees range from $20 (Arizona) to $1,200 (Massachusetts). Most states offer a restricted/hardship license with IID so you can drive to work during suspension. Total cost to get your license back (fees + IID + SR-22 + fines): typically $3,000-$10,000+ in the first year.
Reinstatement Fees by State
All States — Reinstatement Requirements
| State | 1st Offense Susp. | Reinstatement Fee | Restricted License | IID (1st Offense) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 90d | $275 | Available | 6 months |
| Alaska | 90d | $200 | Available | 6 months |
| Arizona | 90d | $20 | Available | During suspension |
| Arkansas | 6mo | $150 | Available | = suspension period |
| California | 6mo | $125 | Available | Optional 6 months |
| Colorado | 9mo | $120 | Available | 9 months |
| Connecticut | 45d+1yr IID | $175 | Available | 1 year |
| Delaware | 3mo | $200 | Available | During suspension |
| District of Columbia | 6mo | $98 | Available | 6 months |
| Florida | 6mo | $130-205 | Available | 6 months |
| Georgia | 1yr | $200-210 | Available | Discretionary |
| Hawaii | 1yr | $20-70 | Available | Duration of revocation |
| Idaho | 3-6mo | $285 | Available | Min 1 year |
| Illinois | 1yr | $250-500 | Available | Remainder of suspension |
| Indiana | 30d-2yr | $250-1000 | Available | Judge's discretion |
| Iowa | 180d | $200 | Available | Remainder of suspension |
| Kansas | 30d | $148 | Available | 180 days |
| Kentucky | 6mo | $40 | Available | 4-6 months |
| Louisiana | 1yr | $100-300 | Available | 180 days |
| Maine | 150d | $100-500 | Available | Remainder of suspension |
| Maryland | 6mo | $45-75 | Available | 180 days |
| Massachusetts | 1yr | $500-1200 | Available | If BAC >= 0.15% |
| Michigan | 180d | $125 | Available | Min 1 year |
| Minnesota | 90d | $680 | Available | 3-6 years |
| Mississippi | 120d | $175 | Available | 90 days |
| Missouri | 90d | $45 | Available | Min 6 months |
| Montana | 6mo | $100 | Available | 6 months |
| Nebraska | 6mo | $125 | Available | Remainder of suspension |
| Nevada | 180d | $155 | Available | 185 days |
| New Hampshire | 9mo | $100 | Available | 12-24 months |
| New Jersey | 3mo | $100 | Not Available | 3mo-1yr by BAC |
| New Mexico | 1yr | $113 | Available | 1 year |
| New York | 6mo | $50 | Available | Min 6 months |
| North Carolina | 1yr | $140.25 | Available | 1 year |
| North Dakota | 91d | $100 | Available | Remainder of suspension |
| Ohio | 1-3yr | $475 | Available | Remainder of suspension |
| Oklahoma | 6mo | $315 | Available | 18 months |
| Oregon | 1yr | $85 | Available | 1 year |
| Pennsylvania | None | $79 | Available | None if BAC <= 0.10 |
| Rhode Island | 30d | $352.50 | Available | Judge's discretion |
| South Carolina | 6mo | $100 | Available | 6 months |
| South Dakota | 30d | $50-200 | Available | N/A |
| Tennessee | 1yr | $153 | Available | Min 365 days |
| Texas | 90d | $125 | Available | Discretionary |
| Utah | 120d | $340 | Available | N/A (1st) |
| Vermont | 90d | $98 | Available | Remainder of suspension |
| Virginia | 1yr | $220 | Available | Remainder or 6 months |
| Washington | 90d | $170 | Available | 1 year |
| West Virginia | 6mo | $50 | Not Available | 125 days |
| Wisconsin | 6mo | $200 | Available | If BAC >= 0.15% |
| Wyoming | 90d | $50 | Available | 6mo if BAC >= 0.15% |
Alabama$275
1st: 90d · IID: 6 months · Restricted available
Alaska$200
1st: 90d · IID: 6 months · Restricted available
Arizona$20
1st: 90d · IID: During suspension · Restricted available
Arkansas$150
1st: 6mo · IID: = suspension period · Restricted available
California$125
1st: 6mo · IID: Optional 6 months · Restricted available
Colorado$120
1st: 9mo · IID: 9 months · Restricted available
Connecticut$175
1st: 45d+1yr IID · IID: 1 year · Restricted available
Delaware$200
1st: 3mo · IID: During suspension · Restricted available
District of Columbia$98
1st: 6mo · IID: 6 months · Restricted available
Florida$130-205
1st: 6mo · IID: 6 months · Restricted available
Georgia$200-210
1st: 1yr · IID: Discretionary · Restricted available
Hawaii$20-70
1st: 1yr · IID: Duration of revocation · Restricted available
Idaho$285
1st: 3-6mo · IID: Min 1 year · Restricted available
Illinois$250-500
1st: 1yr · IID: Remainder of suspension · Restricted available
Indiana$250-1000
1st: 30d-2yr · IID: Judge's discretion · Restricted available
Iowa$200
1st: 180d · IID: Remainder of suspension · Restricted available
Kansas$148
1st: 30d · IID: 180 days · Restricted available
Kentucky$40
1st: 6mo · IID: 4-6 months · Restricted available
Louisiana$100-300
1st: 1yr · IID: 180 days · Restricted available
Maine$100-500
1st: 150d · IID: Remainder of suspension · Restricted available
Maryland$45-75
1st: 6mo · IID: 180 days · Restricted available
Massachusetts$500-1200
1st: 1yr · IID: If BAC >= 0.15% · Restricted available
Michigan$125
1st: 180d · IID: Min 1 year · Restricted available
Minnesota$680
1st: 90d · IID: 3-6 years · Restricted available
Mississippi$175
1st: 120d · IID: 90 days · Restricted available
Missouri$45
1st: 90d · IID: Min 6 months · Restricted available
Montana$100
1st: 6mo · IID: 6 months · Restricted available
Nebraska$125
1st: 6mo · IID: Remainder of suspension · Restricted available
Nevada$155
1st: 180d · IID: 185 days · Restricted available
New Hampshire$100
1st: 9mo · IID: 12-24 months · Restricted available
New Jersey$100
1st: 3mo · IID: 3mo-1yr by BAC · No restricted license
New Mexico$113
1st: 1yr · IID: 1 year · Restricted available
New York$50
1st: 6mo · IID: Min 6 months · Restricted available
North Carolina$140.25
1st: 1yr · IID: 1 year · Restricted available
North Dakota$100
1st: 91d · IID: Remainder of suspension · Restricted available
Ohio$475
1st: 1-3yr · IID: Remainder of suspension · Restricted available
Oklahoma$315
1st: 6mo · IID: 18 months · Restricted available
Oregon$85
1st: 1yr · IID: 1 year · Restricted available
Pennsylvania$79
1st: None · IID: None if BAC <= 0.10 · Restricted available
Rhode Island$352.50
1st: 30d · IID: Judge's discretion · Restricted available
South Carolina$100
1st: 6mo · IID: 6 months · Restricted available
South Dakota$50-200
1st: 30d · IID: N/A · Restricted available
Tennessee$153
1st: 1yr · IID: Min 365 days · Restricted available
Texas$125
1st: 90d · IID: Discretionary · Restricted available
Utah$340
1st: 120d · IID: N/A (1st) · Restricted available
Vermont$98
1st: 90d · IID: Remainder of suspension · Restricted available
Virginia$220
1st: 1yr · IID: Remainder or 6 months · Restricted available
Washington$170
1st: 90d · IID: 1 year · Restricted available
West Virginia$50
1st: 6mo · IID: 125 days · No restricted license
Wisconsin$200
1st: 6mo · IID: If BAC >= 0.15% · Restricted available
Wyoming$50
1st: 90d · IID: 6mo if BAC >= 0.15% · Restricted available
Suspension vs. Revocation
A suspension means your license is temporarily held — once you meet requirements and pay fees, it is reinstated. A revocation means your license is canceled entirely — you must retake written and road tests to get a new one. DUI first offenses are usually suspensions; repeat offenses often result in revocation.
Restricted / Hardship Licenses
Most states offer a restricted, hardship, or occupational license during your suspension period. This allows driving to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs. Almost all states require an ignition interlock device (IID) as a condition. Some states have a "hard suspension" period (15-45 days) before a restricted license is available.
Typical Reinstatement Steps
1. Serve your full suspension period. 2. Complete all court-ordered programs (substance abuse classes, community service, victim impact panels). 3. Pay all fines and court costs. 4. Install IID if required. 5. Obtain SR-22 insurance. 6. Pay reinstatement fee. 7. Apply at your state's DMV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to reinstate my license after a DUI?
Reinstatement fees range from $20 (Arizona) to $1,200 (Massachusetts). Most states charge $50-$300. But the total cost is much higher when you include IID installation ($70-$150), monthly IID monitoring ($60-$80/month), SR-22 insurance ($300-$800/year extra), DUI education programs ($200-$500), and court fines. First-year total costs typically range $3,000-$10,000+.
How long is my license suspended after a DUI?
It depends on your state and offense number. First-offense suspensions range from no suspension (Pennsylvania, low BAC) to 2 years (Delaware). Most states impose 90 days to 1 year. Repeat offenses carry significantly longer suspensions — up to lifetime revocation in some states (West Virginia 3rd offense).
Can I get a restricted or hardship license during suspension?
Most states offer some form of restricted, hardship, or occupational license that allows driving to work, school, medical appointments, or court programs during suspension. Almost all require IID installation. Only New Jersey and West Virginia do not offer restricted licenses for DUI suspensions.
What is an ignition interlock device (IID)?
An IID is a breathalyzer wired into your vehicle's ignition. You must blow into it before starting the car and periodically while driving. If alcohol is detected (typically above 0.02% BAC), the vehicle won't start. Cost: $70-$150 installation plus $60-$80/month for monitoring. Most states require IID after a DUI.
What happens if I drive on a suspended license?
Driving on a suspended license is a criminal offense in all states. Penalties include additional fines ($500-$2,500+), jail time (up to 1 year), extended suspension period, vehicle impoundment, and a permanent mark on your criminal record. It can also result in felony charges for repeat offenders.
Do I need to retake my driving test after reinstatement?
It depends on your state and whether your license was suspended or revoked. Suspension: usually no test required — just pay fees and meet requirements. Revocation: most states require you to retake both the written and road skills tests because your license was fully canceled.
Disclaimer:This is informational only, not legal advice. License reinstatement requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with your state's DMV or consult a qualified DUI attorney.