KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Virginia

HB561 • 2026

Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests, repeat offenders, ignition interlocks.

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-266.1, 18.2-268.3, 18.2-270.1, 18.2-271, 18.2-271.1, 46.2-391, and 46.2-391.2 of the Code of Virginia, relating to driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests; repeat offenders; ignition interlocks.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Hope
Last action
2026-04-23
Official status
Awaiting Governor's Action
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details on the removal of time limits for obtaining a restricted license.

Driving While Intoxicated Rules; Ignition Interlocks for Repeat Offenders

This law allows courts to issue restricted licenses with ignition interlock devices for certain drunk driving offenders and establishes a work group to review alcohol-related driving laws.

What This Bill Does

  • Allows judges to order repeat drunk drivers, those who refuse tests, or those charged with drunk driving to get a special license that includes an ignition interlock system right away.
  • Establishes a work group to evaluate the rules about driving while under the influence of alcohol and submit their findings by November 1, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People charged with or convicted of driving while intoxicated (DWI).
  • Repeat offenders who have been caught multiple times for DWI.
  • Individuals who refuse to take tests when suspected of DWI.

Terms To Know

Ignition interlock system
A device installed in a car that prevents it from starting if the driver has been drinking alcohol.
Restricted license
A special driving permit given to people who have had their regular license suspended due to certain offenses, but allows them limited driving privileges.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The law will not take effect unless it is passed again in the next legislative session.
  • It does not specify how long offenders must use the ignition interlock system.
  • Details about the work group's recommendations and report are not provided.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB561G

2026-04-13 • Governor

Governor's Recommendation

Plain English: (HB561) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION 1.

  • (HB561) GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION 1.
  • After line 729, enrolled insert 3.
  • That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.
HB561AHC1

2026-02-04

Courts of Justice Amendment

Plain English: OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 HB 561 SUBCOMMITTEE 1.

  • OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 2/04/2026 HB 561 SUBCOMMITTEE 1.
  • Line 96, introduced, after may strike be issued a restricted license and SUBCOMMITTEE 2.
  • Line 542, introduced, after subsection strike A or SUBCOMMITTEE 3.
  • Line 665, introduced, after the strike circuit insert general district SUBCOMMITTEE 4.
HB561AHC2

2026-02-04 • Committee

Criminal Subcommittee Amendment

Plain English: 2/04/2026 HB 561 SUBCOMMITTEE 1.

  • 2/04/2026 HB 561 SUBCOMMITTEE 1.
  • Line 96, introduced, after may strike be issued a restricted license and SUBCOMMITTEE 2.
  • Line 542, introduced, after subsection strike A or SUBCOMMITTEE 3.
  • Line 665, introduced, after the strike circuit insert general district SUBCOMMITTEE 4.
HB561AH1

2026-02-11 • Committee

Courts of Justice Amendment

Plain English: 2/11/2026 HB 561 COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.

  • 2/11/2026 HB 561 COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.
  • Line 96, introduced, after may strike be issued a restricted license and COURTS OF JUSTICE 2.
  • Line 542, introduced, after subsection strike A or COURTS OF JUSTICE 3.
  • Line 665, introduced, after the strike circuit insert general district COURTS OF JUSTICE 4.
HB561ASC1

2026-03-05 • Committee

Courts of Justice Amendment

Plain English: OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 3/05/2026 HB 561 COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.

  • OFFERED FOR CONSIDERATION 3/05/2026 HB 561 COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.
  • Line 344, engrossed, after addition, strike the remainder of line 344 and through for on line 345 insert if the conviction was for COURTS OF JUSTICE 2.
  • Line 345, engrossed, after after insert an offense other than COURTS OF JUSTICE 3.
  • Line 345, engrossed, after after strike a first insert a first COURTS OF JUSTICE 4.
HB561AS1

2026-03-09 • Committee

Courts of Justice Amendment

Plain English: 3/09/2026 (HB561) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.

  • 3/09/2026 (HB561) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.
  • Line 344, engrossed, after addition, strike the remainder of line 344 and through for on line 345 insert if the conviction was for COURTS OF JUSTICE 2.
  • Line 345, engrossed, after after insert an offense other than COURTS OF JUSTICE 3.
  • Line 345, engrossed, after after strike a first insert a first COURTS OF JUSTICE 4.
HB561EDOC

2026-03-10 • Senate

Senate Amendments

Plain English: 3/10/2026 (HB561) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.

  • 3/10/2026 (HB561) AMENDMENT(S) PROPOSED BY THE SENATE COURTS OF JUSTICE 1.
  • Line 344, engrossed, after addition, strike the remainder of line 344 and through for on line 345 insert if the conviction was for COURTS OF JUSTICE 2.
  • Line 345, engrossed, after after insert an offense other than COURTS OF JUSTICE 3.
  • Line 345, engrossed, after after strike a first insert a first COURTS OF JUSTICE 4.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-23 House

    Passed by for the day

  2. 2026-04-22 House

    Communicated to Governor

  3. 2026-04-22 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., May 23, 2026

  4. 2026-04-22 House

    Passed by for the day

  5. 2026-04-13 Governor

    Governor's recommendation received by House

  6. 2026-03-31 House

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  7. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  8. 2026-03-31 House

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  9. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  10. 2026-03-31 House

    Signed by Speaker

  11. 2026-03-31 House

    Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026

  12. 2026-03-31 Governor

    Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

  13. 2026-03-31 House

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)

  14. 2026-03-30 Senate

    Signed by President

  15. 2026-03-30 House

    Enrolled

  16. 2026-03-30 House

    Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB561ER)

  17. 2026-03-11 House

    Senate amendments agreed to by House (90-Y 7-N 0-A)

  18. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Read third time

  19. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Read third time

  20. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Read third time

  21. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Engrossed by Senate as amended

  22. 2026-03-10 Courts of Justice

    Courts of Justice Amendments agreed to

  23. 2026-03-10 Senate

    Passed Senate with amendments (35-Y 5-N 0-A)

  24. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Rules suspended

  25. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Passed by for the day

  26. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

  27. 2026-03-09 Senate

    Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

  28. 2026-03-05 Courts of Justice

    Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (12-Y 2-N)

  29. 2026-03-05 Senate

    Senate committee offered

  30. 2026-03-05 House

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)

  31. 2026-02-18 Senate

    Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

  32. 2026-02-18 Courts of Justice

    Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

  33. 2026-02-17 House

    Read third time and passed House Block Vote (97-Y 0-N 0-A)

  34. 2026-02-16 House

    Read second time

  35. 2026-02-16 House

    committee amendments agreed to

  36. 2026-02-16 House

    Engrossed by House as amended

  37. 2026-02-13 House

    Read first time

  38. 2026-02-11 Courts of Justice

    Reported from Courts of Justice with amendment(s) (22-Y 0-N)

  39. 2026-02-04 Criminal

    Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) (10-Y 0-N)

  40. 2026-02-04 Criminal

    House subcommittee offered

  41. 2026-02-03 Criminal

    Assigned HCJ sub: Criminal

  42. 2026-02-02 House

    Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB561)

  43. 2026-01-13 House

    Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26105186D

  44. 2026-01-13 Courts of Justice

    Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice

Official Summary Text

Driving while intoxicated; refusal of tests; repeat offenders; ignition interlocks.
Permits a court to issue a restricted license with immediate installation of ignition interlock systems for certain offenders charged with driving while intoxicated, refusal of tests, or repeat offender violations. The bill also directs the Commission on the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program to convene a work group to evaluate the provisions governing driving or operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and submit recommendations and a draft report to the Chairs of the House and Senate Committees for Courts of Justice by November 1, 2026. Current law requires various time limits of driver's license suspension for such violations before a restricted license may be issued.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
(HB561)
GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION
1. After line 729, enrolled
insert
3. That the provisions of the first enactment of this act shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.