Policies by State

Data from MADD State Law Overview (2022)

StateSummary ParagraphAffordability ProgramCompliance Based RemovalIgnition Interlock on RefusalsGradeStops at >.08
*From 2006–2020
AlabamaAlabama’s interlock law is all-offender and makes users prove compliance with the order before exiting the program. However, the law makes most drunk drivers wait before being able to install an interlock and allows those ordered on the device to avoid it by waiting out their time on an ignition interlock.YESYESYESD+
69.5/100
8,404
AlaskaIn 2008, Alaska enacted an all-offender ignition interlock law. The state also requires these devices for refusals. The state must make many improvements to the current law to ensure more drunk drivers use these devices and to close loopholes.YESNOYESF
50/100
18,036
ArizonaIn 2007, Arizona enacted an all-offender ignition interlock law that is one the most effective laws in the Nation. The state can still improve their law by closing loopholes, specifically by allowing for the use of interlocks following revocation of a license.NOYESYESA-
90.5/100
120,782
ArkansasArkansas has an effective all-offender ignition interlock law as it requires all drunk drivers to use the device before obtaining an unrestricted license. The law could be made even better by closing loopholes.NONOYESB+
87/100
112,531
CaliforniaCalifornia’s repeat offender law is a model for other states, but the state fails to utilize these lifesaving devices for first-time offenders. MADD CIIM? calls on the state to enact an all-offender interlock law like most of the country.YESYESNOF
13/100
298,401
ColoradoColorado’s interlock law is effective in stopping drunk driving, but loopholes remain that limit the reach of these devices. Closing these loopholes would ensure that more drunk drivers utilize an interlock.YESYESYESD
64/100
135,963
ConnecticutConnecticut’s all-offender is well-rounded as it requires all drunk drivers to use the device before being relicensed. Small loopholes exist that if closed would make the law even more effective.NOYESYESB
85/100
93,164
DelawareDelaware all-offender law contains loopholes that limits the reach of these devices.YESYESYESD+
69.75/100
7,870
District of Columbia (Washington, DC)The Nation’s Capital’s all-offender law results in few interlock installations due loopholes and lack of implementation of the law. Closing law loopholes will ensure better use of these lifesaving devices.YESYESNOD
67/100
299
FloridaFlorida must take steps to ensure more drunk drivers utilize an ignition interlock. Enacting an all-offender interlock law will go a long way to stop drunk driving.NOYESNOF
19/100
109,127
GeorgiaFor over two decades, repeat offenders are required to use an interlock in Georgia. The state can make great improvements to the law by enacting an all-offender interlock law.NONONOF
5.5/100
44,313
HawaiiHawaii’s all-offender law allows any drunk driver to wait out the interlock order. If the person uses interlock, they do not need to prove compliance. The state can close a big loophole by ensuring all drunk drivers use an interlock before being legally relicensed.YESNOYESD-
63/100
11,595
IdahoIdaho’s all-offender law contains many loopholes. The state could get more interlocks installed if they closed loopholes, which allows drunk drivers to avoid an interlock.YESNOYESF
55/100
10,595
IllinoisIllinois’ all-offender law allows drunk drivers to wait out their device order and loopholes remain which undermines the effectiveness of the current law.YESYESYESC-
73/100
129,893
IndianaIndiana needs to enact an all-offender law to ensure more drunk drivers use an interlock. The current law gives Judges too much discretion not to order an interlock.YESYESYESF
29/100
15,079
IowaInterlocks in Iowa prevent many drunk driving attempts. These devices could be more effective if lawmakers enacted improvements to close loopholes in the law. A big improvement needed is enacting a compliance-based removal aspect to the law.NONOYESD-
61/100
184,148
KansasKansas has an effective all-offender interlock law because drunk drivers must use an interlock before obtaining an unrestricted license. However, there is no compliance-based removal law and certain drunk drivers must wait before installing an interlock.YESYESYESC
75/100
123,647
KentuckyKentucky’s all-offender law lacks a key component, requiring all drunk drivers to use the device before being fully relicensed.YESYESYESC
74/100
8,980
LouisianaLouisiana enacted an all-offender interlock law in 2007. The state has failed to make any meaningful improvements to the law. As a result, many loopholes exist which minimizes the effectiveness of the law.NONOYESF
55/100
135,090
MaineThe all-offender ignition interlock law in Maine fails to utilize best practices that make an effective law.YESNONOF
47/100
17,503
MarylandMaryland’s all-offender law contains the biggest loophole in the United States. Nearly all first-time convicted drunk drivers avoid an ignition interlock through diversion (Probation Before Judgement).YESYESYESC+
79.75/100
73,978
MassachusettsIn 2020, Massachusetts became the 50th state to allow for the use of interlocks for first-time offenders. The law lacks any requirement of interlocks for first-time drunk drivers and contains many loopholes.YESYESNOF
11/100
47,435
MichiganMichigan is one of 16 states without an all-offender ignition interlock law. The state has not made any improvements to the interlock law in over a decade.YESYESNOF
11/100
32,223
MinnesotaMinnesota continues to make improvements on their ignition interlock law. Two big improvements needed is an all-offender law and eliminating the ability for drunk drivers to wait out using an interlock.NOF
24/100
88,050
MississippiMississippi’s all-offender law needs an upgrade. The state could improve the law by requiring all drunk drivers to use an interlock before obtaining an unrestricted license.YESYESYESC
74/100
9,485
MissouriLoopholes exist in Missouri’s all-offender law as drunk drivers can wait out the ignition interlock order or utilize diversion to avoid a drunk driving conviction.YESYESNOD+
67/100
128,196
MontanaMontana utilizes ignition interlocks for repeat offenders but fails to require these devices for all drunk drivers. The state has a long way to go to ensure more drunk drivers utilize these lifesaving devices.NONONOF
0/100
7,054
NebraskaNebraska has not made an improvement to the ignition interlock law since 2011. As a result, loopholes exist which allow drunk drivers to fall through the cracks and avoid an ignition interlock.YESNOYESF
49.5/100
43,241
NevadaNevada’s law biggest loophole is the ability for first-time offenders to avoid an interlock by waiting out the license suspension. All drunk drivers should use an interlock for at least six months before obtaining an unrestricted license.YESYESYESC
74/100
16,503
New HampshireNew Hampshire’s all-offender law contains loopholes that minimizes the effectiveness of the law. Allowing drunk drivers to use an interlock upon revocation and to require these devices before obtaining unrestricted driving privileges will improve the law.YESYESNOF
56/100
14,529
New JerseyNew Jersey’s new 2019 all-offender interlock law is an improvement that will save lives. More lives would be saved if the state closes loopholes to ensure more interlocks are utilized for all drunk drivers.YESYESYESD
66.5/100
119,122
New MexicoIn 2005, New Mexico became the first state to enact an all-offender law. The state would improve their law by closing loopholes to ensure more drunk drivers utilize an interlock.YESYESNOA-
90/100
89,658
New YorkNew York’s all-offender interlock law contains too many loopholes which all drunk drivers use to avoid the device. Lawmakers should take action to improve the interlock law to help stop drunk driving.YESYESNOD+
69/100
111,043
North CarolinaNorth Carolina is one of 16 states without an all-offender interlock law. The state should continue to take steps to improve the interlock law.NONOYESF
15/100
30,306
North DakotaNorth Dakota should utilize all tools in the toolbox to fight drunk driving. The state should boost ignition interlocks use for all drunk drivers to help prevent drunk driving.NONONOF
0/100
715
OhioOhio gives judges too much discretion and the use of ignition interlocks is an afterthought in sentencing drunk drivers. The state should enact an all-offender law and make the use of interlocks mandatory for all drunk drivers.YESYESNOF
11/100
34,927
OklahomaOklahoma’s all-offender law needs an improvement to ensure more drunk drivers utilize an interlock. The law does include measures that ensure more drunk drivers use an interlock by requiring these devices for diversion agreements, but more action is needed to eliminate loopholes.NONOYESF
53/100
104,009
OregonOregon’s all-offender law needs an improvement as drunk drivers must wait before using the device and other loopholes undermines the effectiveness of the interlocks to fight drunk driving.YESYESNOF
59/100
57,645
PennsylvaniaPennsylvania is one if 16 states without an all-offender law. Although interlocks are required for some first-time offenders, most drunk drivers avoid an interlock by entering diversion (ARD). Closing loopholes will ensure more interlocks are installed and lives saved.NOYESYESF
31.5/100
93,037
Rhode IslandRhode Island’s all-offender law contains loopholes which minimizes the reach of interlocks for all drunk drivers. The state should close loopholes to ensure more drunk drivers utilize an interlock.NOYESYESD
64.5/100
7,848
South CarolinaSouth Carolina is one of 16 states without an all-offender interlock law. Enacting an all-offender law will boost interlock use and help prevent drunk driving.YESYESNOF
21/100
12,655
South DakotaSouth Dakota uses interlocks as part of the 24/7 program. The state should enact an all-offender interlock law so more drunk drivers use an interlock.NONONOF
0/100
2,040
TennesseeDrunk drivers can avoid an interlock by waiting out the license suspension. Tennessee could improve implementation of their all-offender interlock law by closing this loophole.YESNONOD+
69/100
79,530
TexasThe interlock law in Texas is largely implemented by courts and probation departments on a county level. The state should add a statewide implementation of the interlock law.YESYESNOC-
70/100
371,345
UtahUtah’s all-offender law contains loopholes which minimize how many interlocks are installed.NONOYESF
50/100
26,472
VermontVermont’s all-offender law contains a big loophole—drunk drivers can wait out their license suspension and avoid an installing an interlock.YESYESYESC
75/100
11,700
VirginiaVirginia’s all-offender interlock law contains loopholes which minimize the effectiveness of their law. All drunk drivers should utilize an interlock before obtaining an unrestricted driver’s license.YESYESYESC
75/100
28,952
WashingtonWashington’s all-offender law contains many important pieces to ensure implementation of interlocks for drunk drivers. However, the state’s could improve their law by ensuring all drunk drivers use an interlock before obtaining an unrestricted driver’s license.YESYESYESC+
77/100
147,435
West VirginiaWest Virginia’s all-offender interlock law received a major setback in 2020 when lawmakers weakened the law. The law contains loopholes which give judges too much discretion and allows drunk drivers to avoid installing an interlock by waiting out a license suspension.YESYESYESC
74/100
31,052
WisconsinWisconsin is one of 16 states without an all-offender law. The state has not improved their interlock law since 2009 and as a result many loopholes exist which hinders the reach of interlocks to stop drunk driving.YESNOYESF
34/100
357,946
WyomingWyoming is one of 16 states without an all-offender interlock law. The state should take steps to ensure more drunk drivers utilize an interlock.YESNOYESF
18/100
20,831