Ignition Interlock License (IIL/IID)
A Washington DUI arrest can take your license before you ever see a courtroom. The Department of Licensing suspends driving privileges administratively, and a conviction can add a second, longer suspension on top. For most people, losing the ability to drive to work, school, or childcare is the most immediate consequence of the case. An ignition interlock license is the legal route back behind the wheel while that suspension runs. It lets you drive a vehicle fitted with a breath-testing device instead of waiting out months with no license. The eligibility rules, application steps, and device costs all carry deadlines that catch people off guard. Blair Kim Moeller, PLLC represents drivers across Seattle and King County who need to keep working while a DUI case moves forward. This page explains how the ignition interlock license actually works.
What You Need to Know About Ignition Interlock Licenses in Washington
- What it is: A restricted Washington driver’s license that lets a driver whose privileges are suspended for a DUI-related offense operate vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device.
- Governing statute: RCW 46.20.385 sets the license rules; RCW 46.20.720 sets the device requirements.
- Key deadline: You can apply at any time, even the day after an arrest, but the device must stay installed for the full suspension period, and a violation-free window is required before removal.
- Legal standard: Administrative eligibility, not a court burden of proof: a valid license, SR-22 proof of financial responsibility, and an approved device on every vehicle you drive.
- Do this in the next 24–48 hours: Install a Washington-approved ignition interlock device, obtain SR-22 coverage, and file the Restricted Driver License Application with the Department of Licensing.
Blair Kim Moeller, PLLC represents drivers facing DUI license suspensions across King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.
Ignition Interlock Device Rules, Costs, and Removal in Washington
The device requirement comes from RCW 46.20.720. You must install the device on every vehicle you drive, though you may choose to drive a single equipped car rather than outfit your whole household. The Washington State Patrol’s ignition interlock program certifies approved devices and investigates tampering.
The costs fall on the driver. You pay for installation, the monthly lease, and removal, plus a $21 monthly fee under RCW 46.20.720 that funds help for low-income drivers. A driver who qualifies as indigent under RCW 10.101.010 may have that fee waived and apply for installation assistance. If you drive a company vehicle for work, an Employer Declaration for Ignition Interlock Exemption can let you operate it without a device during work hours. That exemption does not apply when the vehicle is assigned to you alone for commuting.
A court can also order an interlock condition directly. A DUI sentence from a court such as Seattle Municipal Court or King County District Court can carry a court-ordered device requirement under RCW 46.20.720. That order is separate from the licensing restriction, and the two periods often overlap. Driving a required vehicle without the device, or breaking an interlock license restriction, is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 46.20.410. Those penalties stack on top of the DUI penalties in the original case.
Compliance is not automatic. A 2026 Washington state audit by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee reviewed about 66,000 drivers ordered to install a device between 2018 and 2025. It found that only 41% had complied. Blair Kim Moeller helps Seattle-area drivers stay on the right side of these rules and avoid the new charges a missed step can trigger.
Real Stories From People We’ve Helped Protect
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“They showed their best at all times. I would recommend and refer this firm to anyone seeking true professional legal assistance.”- Former Client
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“If I could give Mark a higher recommendation, then I would. He deserves not 5, but 6 stars for the way he handled my case.”- Scott
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“I was very pleased with Mark, they responded every time I had any concerns, kept me informed throughout the whole process.”- Alex
Ignition Interlock License FAQs
Can I drive any car with an ignition interlock license in Washington?
No. You may only drive vehicles with an approved ignition interlock device installed. The rule covers every car you drive, not just the ones you own, so a borrowed or rented car without a device is off limits unless an exemption applies.
How long does the ignition interlock device stay on my car after a Seattle DUI?
The device must stay installed for the full length of your suspension or revocation, which depends on the offense and your prior record. Before the restriction lifts, you generally need a violation-free window of several months, so a late violation can push the end date back.
What happens if I drive without an interlock device when one is required?
Driving a required vehicle without the device, or violating an interlock license restriction, is a gross misdemeanor under RCW 46.20.410. A conviction can also cancel your ignition interlock license and add penalties on top of your original DUI case.
Can I apply for an ignition interlock license if my license is already suspended?
Yes. You may apply at any time, including after a suspension has taken effect. Once you install the device, file SR-22 coverage, and submit the application, the Department of Licensing can issue the restricted license so you can resume lawful driving.
Can the ignition interlock device be removed early?
Not on demand. Removal is tied to completing the required restriction period and clearing a violation-free window first. Once those conditions are met and the Department of Licensing confirms eligibility, you can schedule removal with a certified provider.
Talk to a Seattle DUI Defense Attorney About Your Interlock Options
Losing your license after a DUI throws off work, family, and the basics of daily life, and the interlock process piles on its own deadlines and expenses. Blair Kim Moeller, PLLC, led by former prosecutor and Lakewood Municipal Court Judge Pro Tem Mark Blair, helps drivers across King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties keep driving legally while fighting the underlying DUI. To talk through your ignition interlock license options, call (888) 478-4001 or contact the firm online.
