Alabama House Passes Bill Requiring Ignition Interlock for First-Time DUI Offenders

New law would mandate breathalyzer devices for six months after a first DUI conviction.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 8:23am

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The Alabama House of Representatives unanimously approved a bill that would require first-time DUI offenders to install and operate ignition interlock devices in their vehicles for six months. The devices prevent a car from starting if the driver's blood alcohol level exceeds the legal limit. The legislation, known as House Bill 1, was introduced by Rep. Barbara Boyd after she was involved in a near-fatal car crash with an alleged drunk driver in 2024.

Why it matters

Drunk driving remains a serious public safety issue, with over 10,000 alcohol-related fatalities on U.S. roads each year. Ignition interlock laws have been shown to reduce repeat DUI offenses by up to 67%, making this legislation an important step in curbing drunk driving in Alabama.

The details

Under current Alabama law, first-time DUI offenders can have their mandatory 90-day driver's license suspension waived if they install an ignition interlock device for 90 days. House Bill 1 would increase that requirement to six months. The bill also adds a provision that offenders must hold a restricted license for 180 days before applying to have their regular driver's license restored.

  • The House approved the bill on February 4, 2026.
  • The bill now moves to the Alabama Senate for consideration.

The players

Rep. Barbara Boyd

The Democratic representative from Anniston, Alabama, introduced the legislation after narrowly surviving a 2024 car crash with an alleged drunk driver.

Rep. Ontario Tillman

The Democratic representative from Bessemer, Alabama, introduced a floor amendment to the bill adding the 180-day restricted license requirement.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

What’s next

The bill now heads to the Alabama Senate, where it will need to pass before being signed into law by the governor.

The takeaway

This legislation represents an important step in addressing the ongoing public safety threat of drunk driving in Alabama. By requiring first-time offenders to use ignition interlock devices, the state aims to reduce repeat DUI incidents and make the roads safer for all.