WHAT IS PENNSYLVANIA’S IGNITION INTERLOCK LAW?

In May 2016, Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 290 into law, which has been coined as the “ignition interlock law.” This law requires most first-time DUI offenders to have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicles. Additionally, DUI offenders can regain their driving privileges without serving their full license suspension through the use of one of these systems.

What is an Ignition Interlock System?With an ignition interlock, a device is installed in the offender’s vehicle to prevent them from starting it while under the influence of alcohol. The driver must blow a breath sample into the attached mouthpiece. If alcohol is detected by the device, the engine will not start.

What is an Ignition Interlock License?With an Ignition Interlock License, or ILL (which can be obtained by applying with PennDOT), an individual can only operate a vehicle when equipped with an ignition interlock system. First-time offenders are immediately eligible to immediately apply for an ILL, while subsequent offenders become eligible after serving a portion of their license suspension. An individual will be ineligible for an ILL if their driving privileges have been canceled or revoked, or if their DUI offense resulted in a homicide.

The cost of an ignition interlock system is only one of the many expenses involved with being convicted of a DUI.