Increased use of ignition interlock approved for monitoring repeat impaired driving offenders

People with more than one DWI offense and wish to be licensed to drive again will be required to participate in an ignition interlock program, thus having to establish before driving that they are not at a certain alcohol concentration level.

A new law, effective Aug. 1, 2025, will consolidate license revocation requirements into one section of law, maintaining the existing revocation requirements for those with no prior incidents while extending the lookback period for prior offenses from 10 years to 20 years. It will also specify the time a person must participate in the ignition interlock program before becoming eligible for reinstatement of a standard driver’s license.

Eligibility for ignition interlock is expanded to include criminal vehicular homicide. For someone who commits criminal vehicular homicide or criminal vehicular operation, the license revocation period will be extended, as it will for anyone with a DWI-related offense who has had a prior incident. A gross misdemeanor penalty is established for driving with a license that’s been revoked for a DWI-related offense unless the vehicle is equipped with an ignition interlock device.

All participants in the ignition interlock program must complete a licensed substance use disorder treatment or rehabilitation program.

Prior to the law, a person had to pay the $680 license reinstatement fee before starting interlock. With the change they can start the program without making any payment, but the fee must be fully paid before reinstatement of a standard license.

Rep. Larry Kraft (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) are the sponsors.

An appropriation from the driver and vehicle services operating account of $382,000 for fiscal year 2026 to expand the ignition interlock program is effective July 1, 2025.

HF2130*/SF2068/CH29

HF2130* / SF2068 / CH29