Rhode Island (RI) - State Requirements for Ignition Interlock Devices
The Rhode Island Ignition Interlock Program
Rhode Island calls drunk driving offenses DWI or driving while intoxicated. The term refers to offenders who are driving with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher (.04 percent for commercial drivers). The term also refers to drivers who are found to be driving while under the influence of prescription drugs, marijuana, and alcohol.
The various penalties include license suspension, even for first-time offenders. Some offenders can regain driving privileges sooner if they agree to install an ignition interlock device.
In Rhode Island, some offenders are eligible to receive a hardship license and regain driving privileges. To qualify, offenders must install an ignition interlock device from an approved provider. Test failures, tampering attempts, and other data are reported to the state monitoring authority while the device is installed.
What Happens if I Get a DWI in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has a variety of penalties for DWI offenders. They may increase depending on the circumstances of the incident, or if there are previous offenses on record. There are increased penalties for offenders who have a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .15, almost twice the legal BAC limit of .08 percent. The increased penalties include one to five years in jail, plus up to $5,000 in fines, along with a license suspension of up to three years.
First DWI Offense
- Jail sentence of one year
- License suspended for 30 days to 12 months
- $400 fine
- Required to install IID to get a hardship license, and keep for three months to a year following their suspension period
Second DWI Offense
- Jail sentence of 10 days to one year
- $400 fine
- License suspended for one to two years
- Required to install IID to get a hardship license, and keep for six months to two years following their suspension period for 45 days
Third DWI Offense
- Jail sentence of one to three years
- $400 fine
- License suspended for two to three years
- Required to install IID to get a hardship license, and keep for one to four years following a suspension period of 60 days IID required to be granted hardship license
What Happens if I Fail to Complete or Refuse to Submit to a DWI Test in Rhode Island?
Offenders who refuse the test are not immune from consequences. The consequences include immediate license suspension, among other things.
How Do I Regain Driving Privileges in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island requires offenders to complete a certain portion of their full suspension period before they are able to obtain a hardship license. The time they must serve is typically between 40 and 45 days. Offenders are still required to install an IID to get their license.
They must also:
- Install an IID from an approved provider and show proof of installation to the Rhode
- Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Get a court order for the hardship license from the Rhode Island traffic tribunal
- Pay the $27.50 fee for the license update to the DMV, along with the $100 ignition interlock fee
- Fulfill any additional penalty requirements and pay all fines