Connecticut Ignition Interlock Device Program and Driver’s License Reinstatement

For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney, please call the offices of Maya Murphy, P.C. today at (203) 221-3100 or Joseph C. Maya, Esq. at JMaya@Mayalaw.com.

As of July 1, 2015, Connecticut has adopted new laws regarding participation in the Ignition Interlock Device Program.  Under the new requirements, anyone who has had a driver’s license suspended for failing or refusing a chemical alcohol test under Connecticut General Statute §14-227b, for an arrest on or after July 1, 2015, or has been suspended following a conviction for: Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (OUI), under Connecticut General Statute §14-227a, §14-227g or §14-111n; Vehicular Manslaughter under Connecticut General Statute §53a-56b; or Vehicular Assault under Connecticut General Statute §53a-60d, is required to participate in the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) program as a prerequisite to driver’s license reinstatement.

In an interesting and somewhat surprising addition, this requirement now applies also to anyone accepted into the Alcohol Education Program for a first-time driving under the influence charge, whereas an applicant for the Alcohol Education Program for an arrest under Connecticut General Statute §14-227b prior to July 1, 2015, was not subject to the interlock device requirement.

In order to participate in the Program and have a driver’s license reinstated, an individual who has had his or her license suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles for failing or refusing a chemical alcohol test under Connecticut General Statute §14-227b, must complete the Ignition Device Installation Application (form P-246).  The individual must then contact one of the Connecticut approved ignition interlock device vendors to schedule an appointment to have the IID installed in their vehicle.  The installer must then complete the appropriate section of the Device Installation Application form for the driver’s submission to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

After the interlock device has been installed, the applicant must submit the completed Device Installation Application form (along with a check or money order in the amount of $175.00) to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. In addition, the applicant must submit a second separate check or money order in the amount of $100.00 to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles for the interlock ignition device administration fee.  If the vehicle is registered outside of the State of Connecticut, a copy of the vehicle registration must be submitted along with the payments and the application.

Only after the applicant’s license suspension time has been served and all documents have been properly submitted for the IID Program, will the applicant’s driver’s license be reinstated with an interlock device requirement.  The applicant will then ONLY be allowed to operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device for a specified period as follows:

IID Requirements for Drivers under 21 Years Old

Blood alcohol level of 0.02 or higher:

First offense: 1 year

Second offense: 2 years

Third (or Subsequent) offense: 3 years

IID Requirements for drivers 21 Years Old and Older

Blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher:

First offense: 6 months

Second offense: 1 year

Third (or Subsequent) offense: 2 years

IID Requirements for ALL Drivers

Refusal to submit to a breath, urine, or blood test:

First offense: 1 year

Second offense: 2 year

Third (or Subsequent) offense: 3 years

[1]

Connecticut law has drastically changed after an arrest for driving under the influence, and although the Alcohol Education Program may still be an option for many defendants, the ignition interlock device requirements are now mandatory for even first-time offenders.

If you have been arrested and charged with a driving under the influence related offense, contact the experienced attorneys today at 203-221-3100, or by email at JMaya@mayalaw.com. We have the experience and knowledge you need at this critical juncture. We serve clients all throughout Connecticut, including all of Fairfield County, from Greenwich and Stamford to Westport and Bridgeport.

Source: [1] http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=813&q=249562