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District of Columbia

District of Columbia

District of Columbia

DUI Laws
Interlock Process
Interlock Cost
Locations

Washington, DC DWI Laws

DWI applies to a person having a statutorily prohibited blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. You can be convicted in court based solely on the breath, blood or urine results without any structured field sobriety test.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

DUI applies to a person having a blood alcohol concentration of .07 percent or lower. Under DC Code, a driver can be charged with a DUI offense if, in addition to a BAC reading, the officer has other signs of impairment from a structured field sobriety test and from observations of the suspect’s driving behavior.

A first offense for DWI can result in jail time of up to 180 day and/or a fine of $1,000.   A full list of the penalties can be found here on the DC Metropolitan Police Department website.

Every situation and state is unique, please consult with your attorney or your state licensing authority to confirm your requirements and obligations.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.  Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites for the convenience of our readers. Links from LifeSafer Ignition Interlock to other sites, or from other sites to the LifeSafer, do not constitute an endorsement by LifeSafer.  

LifeSafer Interlock Tools

    District of Columbia Resources

    Here’s help to stay organized. Our checklist will make sure you have all your information in one place.

    We'll keep you posted.

    We’ll send you a reminder email before your installation. If you can’t make your appointment, please call us at least 24 hours in advance to avoid missed appointment fees.

      Interlock Process

      Get your license back in Washington D.C. after a DWI

      To be considered the DC Interlock Program, you must:

      • Have held a DC DMV driver license immediately prior to revocation;
      • Been convicted in court of an alcohol-related offense or had your license revoked administratively because of an alcohol-related offense;
      • Not have any additional or pending license suspensions or revocations;
      • Have not been convicted of causing injury or death while operating a motor vehicle in any jurisdiction;
      • Have enrolled or completed a District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) approved substance abuse treatment program.

      • Complete and submit the DC DMV Ignition Interlock Program Application and pay the associated DMV fees.

      • Obtain and maintain High Risk SR22 Insurance.  Your insurance agent or company can help with this.

      • Meet any other criteria as required by the Director of the DMVF

      • The completed application must be submitted by email to [email protected], fax to 202-727-6003, or mail to:

        DC Department of Motor Vehicles

        Attn: Driver Services Administration/IID Program

        95 M Street, SW, Suite 300

        Washington, DC 20024

        Upon receipt of your application, you will be contacted to schedule an in-person appointment. For enrollment or eligibility questions you may call 311 (202-737-4404).

      • Once approved, call LifeSafer Ignition Interlock to schedule your installation.

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