§ 1213. Ignition interlock restricted driver’s license or certificate; penalties

(a)(1) An individual whose license or privilege to operate is suspended or revoked under this subchapter may operate a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle as defined in section 4103 of this title, if issued a valid ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate. Upon application, the Commissioner shall issue an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate to an individual otherwise licensed or eligible to be licensed to operate a motor vehicle if:

(A) the individual submits a $125.00 application fee;

(B) the individual submits satisfactory proof of installation of an approved ignition interlock device in any motor vehicle to be operated and of financial responsibility as provided in section 801 of this title;

(C) at least one year has passed since the suspension or revocation was imposed if the offense involved death or serious bodily injury to an individual other than the operator;

(D) the applicable period set forth in this subsection has passed since the suspension or revocation was imposed if the offense involved refusal of an enforcement officer’s reasonable request for an evidentiary test:

(i) 30 days for a first offense;

(ii) 90 days for a second offense; or

(iii) one year for a third or subsequent offense; and

(E) the individual is serving a suspension pursuant to section 2506 if the individual was charged with a violation of subdivision 1201(a) of this title and pled guilty to a reduced charge of negligent operation under section 1091 of this title, notwithstanding any points assessed against the individual’s driving record for the negligent operation offense under section 2502 of this title.

(2) A new ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate shall expire at midnight on the eve of the second birthday of the applicant following the date of issue and may be renewed for one-year terms. The Commissioner shall send by first-class mail an application for renewal of the RDL or certificate at least 30 days prior to the day renewal is required and shall impose the same conditions for renewal as are required for initial issuance. The renewal fee shall be $125.00.

(b) [Repealed.]

(c) [Repealed.]

(d) If a fine is to be imposed for a conviction of a violation of section 1201 of this title, upon receipt of proof of installation of an approved ignition interlock device, the court may order that the fine of an individual with low-income conditionally be reduced by one-half to defray the costs of the ignition interlock device, subject to the individual’s ongoing operation under, and compliance with the terms of, a valid ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate as set forth in this section. In considering whether an individual’s fine should be reduced under this subsection, the court shall take into account any discount already provided by the device manufacturer or provider.

(e) The holder of an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate shall pay the costs of installing, purchasing or leasing, and removing the ignition interlock device as well as calibrating the device and retrieving data from it periodically as may be specified by the Commissioner.

(f)(1) Prior to the issuance of an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate under this section, the Commissioner shall notify the applicant that the period prior to eligibility for reinstatement may be extended under subsections (f)-(h) of this section.

(2)(A) Prior to any such extension of the reinstatement period, the ignition interlock RDL or certificate holder shall be given notice and opportunity for a hearing. Service of the notice shall be sent by first-class mail to the last known address of the individual. The notice shall include a factual description of the grounds for an extension, a reference to the particular law allegedly violated, and a warning that the right to a hearing will be deemed waived, and an extension of the reinstatement period will be imposed, if a written request for a hearing is not received at the Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after the date of the notice.

(B) When a holder receives a notice under subdivision (2)(A) of this subsection (f), the holder shall be deemed to have waived the right to a hearing, unless a written request for a hearing is received at the Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days after the date of the notice. If a hearing is not timely requested, the reinstatement period shall be extended in accordance with law.

(C) The provisions of sections 105-107 of this title shall apply to hearings conducted under subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(3)(A) A holder of an ignition interlock RDL or certificate who, prior to eligibility for reinstatement under section 1209a or 1216 of this title, is prevented from starting a motor vehicle because the ignition interlock device records a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or above, shall be subject to a three-month extension of the applicable reinstatement period in the event of three such recorded events and to consecutive three-month extensions for every additional three recorded events thereafter. The Commissioner shall disregard a recording of 0.04 or above for the purposes of this subdivision if the Commissioner in his or her discretion finds, based on a pattern of tests or other reliable information, that the recording does not indicate the consumption of alcohol by the holder. The Commissioner shall notify the holder in writing after every recording of 0.04 or above that indicates the consumption of alcohol by the holder and, prior to any extension under this subdivision, the holder shall have the opportunity to be heard pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection (f).

(B) A holder of an ignition interlock RDL or certificate who, prior to eligibility for reinstatement under section 1209a or 1216 of this title, fails a random retest because the ignition interlock device records a blood alcohol concentration of 0.04 or above and below 0.08 shall be subject to consecutive three-month extensions of the applicable reinstatement period for every such recorded event. A holder who fails a random retest because of a recording of 0.08 or above shall be subject to consecutive six-month extensions of the applicable reinstatement period for every such recorded event. The Commissioner shall disregard a recording of 0.04 or above for the purposes of this subdivision if the Commissioner in his or her discretion finds, based on a pattern of tests or other reliable information, that the recording does not indicate the consumption of alcohol by the holder. The Commissioner shall notify the holder in writing after every recording of 0.04 or above that is indicative of the consumption of alcohol by the holder, and prior to any extension under this subdivision, the holder shall have the opportunity to be heard pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection (f).

(g) The holder of an ignition interlock RDL or certificate shall operate only motor vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device, shall not attempt or take any action to tamper with or otherwise circumvent an ignition interlock device, and, after failing a random retest, shall pull over and shut off the vehicle’s engine as soon as practicable. Except as provided in subsection (k) of this section, a person who violates any provision of this section commits a criminal offense, shall be subject to the sanctions and procedures provided for in subsections 674(b)-(i) of this title, and, upon conviction, the applicable period prior to eligibility for reinstatement under section 1209a or 1216 of this title shall be extended by six months.

(h) A person who violates a rule adopted by the Commissioner pursuant to subsection (l) of this section shall, after notice and an opportunity to be heard is provided pursuant to subdivision (f)(2) of this section, be subject to an extension of the period prior to eligibility for reinstatement under section 1209a or 1216 of this title in accordance with rules adopted by the Commissioner.

(i) Upon receipt of notice that the holder of an ignition interlock RDL or certificate has been convicted of an offense under this title that would result in suspension, revocation, or recall of a license or privilege to operate, the Commissioner shall suspend, revoke, or recall the individual’s ignition interlock RDL or certificate for the same period that the license or privilege to operate would have been suspended, revoked, or recalled. The Commissioner may impose a reinstatement fee in accordance with section 675 of this title and require, prior to reinstatement, satisfactory proof of installation of an approved ignition interlock device and of financial responsibility as provided in section 801 of this title.

(j) [Repealed.]

(k) A person shall not knowingly and voluntarily tamper with an ignition interlock device on behalf of another person or otherwise assist another person to circumvent an ignition interlock device. A person who violates this subsection shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $500.00.

(l)(1) The Commissioner, in consultation with any persons the Commissioner deems appropriate, shall adopt rules and may enter into agreements to implement the provisions of this section. The Commissioner shall not approve a manufacturer of ignition interlock devices as a provider in this State unless the manufacturer agrees to reduce the cost of installing, leasing, and deinstalling the device by at least 50 percent for persons who furnish proof of receipt of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP, or Reach Up benefits or like benefits in another state.

(2) The rules shall establish uniform performance standards for ignition interlock devices, including required levels of accuracy in measuring blood alcohol concentration, efficacy in distinguishing valid breath samples, the occurrence of random retests while the vehicle is running, and automatic signaling by the vehicle if the operator fails such a retest. After an initial random retest to occur within 15 minutes of the vehicle starting, subsequent random retests shall occur on average not more often than once every 30 minutes. The Commissioner shall certify devices that meet these standards, specify any periodic calibration that may be required to ensure accuracy of the devices, and specify the means and frequency of the retrieval and sharing of data collected by ignition interlock devices. The rules also shall establish a schedule of extensions of the period prior to eligibility for reinstatement as authorized under subsection (h) of this section.

(m)(1) Images and other individually identifiable information in the custody of a public agency related to the use of an ignition interlock device are exempt from public inspection and copying under the Public Records Act and shall not be disclosed except:

(A) pursuant to a warrant;

(B) if a law enforcement officer, in good faith, believes that an emergency involving danger of death or serious bodily injury to any person requires access to the information without delay; or

(C) in connection with enforcement proceedings under this section or rules adopted pursuant to this section.

(2) Images or information disclosed in violation of this subsection shall be inadmissible in any judicial or administrative proceeding. (Added 2009, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 9, eff. May 27, 2010; amended 2011, No. 46, § 23; 2011, No. 46, § 24, eff. June 30, 2011; 2011, No. 90 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2015, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 47; 2015, No. 169 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2017, No. 71, § 14, eff. Aug. 7, 2017; 2017, No. 83, § 161(4); 2019, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 194; 2023, No. 46, §§ 14, 23, eff. June 5, 2023.)