Section 23573.
Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 23573.
in effect(a)
The Department of Motor Vehicles, upon receipt of the court’s abstract of conviction for a violation listed in subdivision (j), shall inform the convicted person of the requirements of this section and the term for which the person is required to have a functioning, certified ignition interlock device installed. The records of the department shall reflect the mandatory use of the device for the term required and the time when the device is required to be installed pursuant to this code.
(b)
The department shall advise the person that installation of a functioning, certified ignition interlock device on a vehicle does not allow the person to drive without a valid driver’s license.
(c)
A person who
is notified by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) shall, within 30 days of notification, complete all of the following:
(1)
Arrange for each vehicle operated by the person to be fitted with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device by a certified ignition interlock device provider under Section 13386.
(2)
Notify the department and provide to the department proof of installation by submitting the “Verification of Installation” form described in paragraph (2) of subdivision (g) of Section 13386.
(3)
Pay to the department a fee sufficient to cover the costs of administration of this section, including startup costs, as determined by the department.
(d)
The department shall place a restriction on the driver’s license record of the convicted
person that states the driver is restricted to driving only vehicles equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device.
(e)
(1)
A person who is notified by the department pursuant to subdivision (a) shall arrange for each vehicle with an ignition interlock device to be serviced by the installer at least once every 60 days in order for the installer to recalibrate and monitor the operation of the device.
(2)
The installer shall notify the department if the device is removed or indicates that the person has attempted to remove, bypass, or tamper with the device, or if the person fails three or more times to comply with any requirement for the maintenance or calibration of the ignition interlock device.
(f)
The department shall monitor the installation and maintenance of the
functioning, certified ignition interlock device installed pursuant to subdivision (a).
(g)
(1)
A person who is notified by the department, pursuant to subdivision (a), is exempt from the requirements of subdivision (c) if all of the following circumstances occur:
(A)
Within 30 days of the notification, the person certifies to the department all of the following:
(i)
The person does not own a vehicle.
(ii)
The person does not have access to a vehicle at their residence.
(iii)
The person no longer has access to the vehicle being driven by the person when the person was arrested for a violation that subsequently resulted in a conviction for a violation listed in subdivision (j).
(iv)
The person acknowledges that
they are only allowed to drive a vehicle that is fitted with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device and that
they are required to have a valid driver’s license before they can drive.
(v)
The person is subject to the requirements of this section when the person purchases or has access to a vehicle.
(B)
The person’s driver’s license record has been restricted pursuant to subdivision (d).
(C)
The person complies with this section immediately upon commencing operation of a vehicle subject to
the required installation of a functioning, certified ignition interlock device.
(2)
A person who has been granted an exemption pursuant to this subdivision and who subsequently drives a vehicle in violation of the exemption is subject to the penalties of subdivision (i) in addition to any other applicable penalties in law.
(h)
This section does not permit a person to drive without a valid driver’s license.
(i)
A person who is required under subdivision (c) to install a functioning, certified ignition interlock device who willfully fails to install the ignition interlock device within the time period required under subdivision (c) is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than six months or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or by both that
fine and imprisonment.
(j)
In addition to all other requirements of this code, a person convicted of any of the following violations shall be punished as follows:
(1)
Upon a conviction of a violation of Section 14601.2, 14601.4, or 14601.5 subsequent to one prior conviction of a violation of Section 23103.5, 23152, or 23153, within a 10-year period, the person shall immediately install a functioning, certified ignition interlock device, pursuant to this section, in all vehicles operated by that person for a term of one year.
(2)
Upon a conviction of a violation of Section 14601.2, 14601.4, or 14601.5 subsequent to two prior convictions of a violation of Section 23103.5, 23152, or 23153, within a 10-year period, or one prior conviction of Section 14601.2, 14601.4, or 14601.5, within a 10-year period, the person shall
immediately install a functioning, certified ignition interlock device, pursuant to this section, in all vehicles operated by that person for a term of two years.
(3)
Upon a conviction of a violation of Section 14601.2, 14601.4, or 14601.5 subsequent to three or more prior convictions of a violation of Section 23103.5, 23152, or 23153, within a 10-year period, or two or more prior convictions of Section 14601.2, 14601.4, or 14601.5, within a 10-year period, the person shall immediately install a functioning, certified ignition interlock device, pursuant to this section, in all vehicles operated by that person for a term of three years.
(k)
The department shall notify the court if a person subject to this section has failed to show proof of installation within 30 days of the department informing the person
that the person is required to install a functioning, certified ignition interlock device.
(l)
Subdivisions (g), (h), (j), (k), and (l) of Section 23575 apply to this section.
(m)
The requirements of this section are in addition to any other requirements of law.
(n)
This section shall become operative on January 1, 2019.
(o)
This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2033, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1,
2033, deletes or extends that date.
References
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 13386.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 14601.2.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 23103.5.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 23575.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026