Effective January 1, 2009, if your WA Drivers License is suspended because of a DUI conviction or a DOL administrative hearing under 46.20.308 you can now continue driving by applying for an Ignition Interlock License (IIL) from the DOL.

The main requirements for this license are maintaining both an Ignition Interlock and SR22 Insurance on all vehicles driven by you for the period of your suspension.

While driving with an IIL, you must maintain an Interlock Device on any employer's vehicles you drive during work hours. You can get this requirement waived if your employer signs an Employer Declaration for Ignition Interlock Waiver.

If your license has been suspended or revoked by the DOL, you may apply for an IIL at any time, including after being arrested or after your revocation hearing.  When you get an IIL you waive the right to a hearing on your license suspension or revocation.

If you have been convicted in court of an alcohol-related DUI, the court must order you to apply for an IIL.  If you do not own a vehicle or are not eligible for an IIL, the court may waive the IIL requirement and the court “shall order the person to submit to alcohol monitoring through an alcohol detection breathalyzer device, transdermal sensor device, or other technology designed to detect alcohol in a person’s system”.  You will be required to pay for this alcohol monitoring.

To receive an IIL you must submit an IIL application to the DOL, pay the $100 application fee and pay a monthly fee of $20 to help fund indigent drivers.

If you are granted deferred prosecution for an alcohol-related incident, you must maintain an ignition interlock device for 2 years.

If the court convicted you of DUI or Physical Control you must maintain an ignition interlock device for:  1 year for the first offense, 5 years for a second offense and 10 years for subsequent offenses.

If you own more than one vehicle you must install an interlock device in all the cars you drive, but you are not required to install one in all the cars you own.  If you prefer, you may install an interlock device in one of your vehicles and drive only that vehicle while your license is suspended.

You will not be eligible for an IIL if your current suspension or revocation is for Minor in Possession, Reckless Driving reduced from an alcohol-related DUI, Habitual Traffic Offender, Vehicular Assault within the last 7 years or Vehicular Homicide within the last 7 years.

You cannot drive a commercial motor vehicle while you have an IIL.

You may be eligible for assistance if you cannot afford to pay the costs of installing, leasing, and removing an ignition interlock device in the vehicles you drive.  You can apply for financial help by submitting an Ignition Interlock Device Financial Worksheet to the DOL. 

Apply here for the Ignition Interlock License from the Washington State Department of Licensing.