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Free California DUI tool

Restricted license calculator.

Find out when you can start driving again after a California DUI suspension. Covers the hard suspension period, the IID restricted license path under VC 23575.3, what you need to apply, and how refusal affects your options. Free written analysis delivered to your inbox.

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Free restricted license calculator

Tell us about your suspension

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How many prior DUI convictions do you have from the past 10 years?
What was your BAC (blood alcohol concentration)?
What chemical test happened?

Refusal eliminates the restricted license option for the first year.

Did you request a DMV hearing within 10 days of arrest?

This is the most time-critical decision in any DUI case. The 10-day APS hearing deadline runs from the arrest date under Vehicle Code 13558.

Are you under 21 years old?
In which California county were you arrested?
What type of California license do you hold?
Do you currently have an attorney representing you on this case?
Where should we send your free report?
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This tool is for California arrests only.

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Your restricted license analysis is on its way. It covers when you can drive again, the hard suspension period, IID requirements, and the exact steps to apply.

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The 30-day hard suspension and what comes after

After a California DUI arrest, the DMV Administrative Per Se (APS) suspension goes into effect on day 31 if no hearing was requested, or when a requested hearing is lost. For a first offense, the total APS suspension is four months. For the first 30 days, there is an absolute no-driving period called the "hard suspension" — no exceptions, no restricted license, and no driving regardless of the reason. After day 30, most first-offense drivers become eligible to apply for the IID restricted license, which allows driving anywhere as long as an ignition interlock device is installed in every vehicle driven.

The IID restricted license path

Under Vehicle Code 23575.3, California has offered a statewide IID restricted license since 2019. This replaced the older, narrower "to and from work" restricted license for most drivers. The IID restricted license is not geographically limited — you can drive anywhere, at any time, for any purpose, as long as the IID is installed and functioning. To qualify for a first offense, four requirements must all be met simultaneously: an SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility filed by your insurer with the DMV, a functioning IID installed in every vehicle you drive (not just your primary car), enrollment in a state-approved DUI program, and payment of the $125 license reissue fee to the DMV.

What you need to apply

The process to obtain the IID restricted license is straightforward but requires several steps in the right order. First, enroll in a DUI program and obtain the enrollment certificate. Second, have the IID installed by a DMV-approved vendor and obtain the installation certificate. Third, have your insurance company file an SR-22 directly with the DMV (you cannot file it yourself). Fourth, submit all three documents plus the $125 reissue fee to the DMV Driver Safety Office. The DMV will mail the restricted license. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from the end of the hard suspension, so starting early is important if you need to drive as soon as day 31.

Refusal cases have different rules

If you refused chemical testing under Vehicle Code 23612, the suspension framework is significantly harsher. A first refusal results in a one-year hard suspension with no IID restricted license available during that entire year. There is no path to driving during the suspension period regardless of work, medical, or family need. This is one of the most punishing aspects of a refusal allegation, and why defense attorneys aggressively challenge refusal findings at DMV hearings. After the one-year period ends, reinstatement requires the same SR-22, IID, DUI program, and reissue fee as a regular suspension, plus the IID must remain in place for longer periods. For second and subsequent refusals, the hard suspension periods are two and three years respectively.

Common questions

What people ask about restricted licenses

When can I start driving again after a DUI?

For a first offense with no refusal, you are eligible to apply for the IID restricted license after the 30-day hard suspension period. If you have all four requirements in place (SR-22, IID installation, DUI program enrollment, and reissue fee payment) on day 31, you can start driving on day 31. As a practical matter, gathering the required documents typically takes one to two weeks, so most drivers can resume driving somewhere between day 31 and day 45. Refusal cases have a 1-year hard suspension with no driving during that period.

What is the IID restricted license and how does it work?

The ignition interlock device restricted license under Vehicle Code 23575.3 allows you to drive any vehicle, anywhere, at any time, as long as an IID is installed in the vehicle. The IID requires a breath sample before the engine starts and random rolling retests while driving. The device records all test results and transmits them monthly to the DMV. There is no geographic or time restriction — it is a full driving privilege, subject only to the IID condition. If you drive a vehicle without an IID while on the restricted license, it is a criminal violation.

What happens if I drive during the hard suspension period?

Driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor under Vehicle Code 14601.2. Penalties include up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, and a two-year suspension extension. The vehicle can also be impounded for 30 days at your expense. Courts treat driving on a DUI suspension as a separate and serious offense. There are no exceptions — not for work, medical appointments, or family emergencies. The hard suspension period must be served completely before any restricted license is available.

Can I use someone else's car if it doesn't have an IID?

No. The IID requirement applies to every vehicle you drive, not just vehicles you own. If you drive a vehicle that does not have an IID installed, you are in violation of the restricted license condition, which is a criminal offense. If a family member, employer, or friend lets you drive their vehicle, an IID must be installed in that vehicle before you drive it. Some employers provide a written verification that an employee drives a company vehicle, which can in limited circumstances allow an exemption through the DMV, but those exemptions are narrow and must be approved in advance.

How long do I keep the IID?

Under Vehicle Code 23575.3, the IID requirement period depends on the offense. First DUI without injury: 6 months minimum while on the restricted license. First DUI causing injury: 1 year. Second DUI: 1 year. Third: 2 years. Fourth or subsequent: 3 years. Any failed test (BAC above the IID threshold, typically 0.025%) or tampering with the device restarts the compliance clock and can extend the requirement. When the required period is complete, the vendor issues a compliance certificate that must be filed with the DMV.

Is this calculator legal advice?

No. The calculator output is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal advice, meaning advice specific to your circumstances given by a licensed attorney who has reviewed the full record, comes only after a consultation. The free consultation creates no obligation to retain.

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