An Ignition Interlock License Can Help Restore Your Driving Privileges After A DUI/DWI Conviction
If you’ve been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, you have every right to tell your side of the story and seek to have charges dropped or reduced when appropriate. But once a driver has been convicted of DUI/DWI, the next question to answer is how that driver can safely and legal return to driving. Ignition Interlock Licenses can help get you back on the road as soon as possible, provided that you’re willing to tolerate taking a Breathalyzer-type sobriety test every time you start your car.
At Steven L. Breit, Attorney at Law, we can answer all of your questions about Ignition Interlock Licneses, how they work, and whether one makes sense in your case.
What Is An Ignition Interlock License?
An Ignition Interlock License, or IIL, is essentially a Breathalyzer test installed directly into your car. In order to start the engine on each trip, the driver must blow into the IIL; if the device detects alcohol in the driver’s breath, it will prevent the engine from starting.
This device can feel very restrictive, but for drivers convicted of drunk driving, an IIL is more likely to help you than hinder you. After all, in some cases an IIL provides an alternative to having one’s driver’s license suspended or revoked entirely – and having no license at all is a lot more restrictive letting a device check your blood-alcohol level. For repeat DUI/DWI offenders, it’s often not possible to entirely avoid a license suspension, but an IIL can reduce the duration of a license suspension.
Pennsylvania’s IIL laws got a major overhaul in 2017, replacing the old system in which DUI/DWI-convicted drivers could get provisional “occupational limited licenses” to make necessary drives such as commuting to work. The newer IIL system allows for greater flexibility for drivers, as long as they adhere to the limitations on alcohol consumption imposed by the IIL.
Is An Ignition Interlock License Right For You? Learn More At An Initial Consultation.
IILs have pros and cons, and they can be expensive to install. To help determine whether an IIL is an option in your case, and whether it is worth the cost, just schedule a consultation with Steven L. Breit, Attorney at Law in our Lancaster office. To make an appointment, call 717-553-0494 or contact us online