Affording anything after a DUI in California can be difficult. It isn’t an exaggeration when we say any drunk driving conviction runs an average of $10,000 for the offender. You’ve got your court costs, attorney fees, license reinstatement fees, higher insurance premiums, and a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock requirement. Of course you need that ignition interlock device so that you can work and pay off your DUI costs, but, what if you can’t even afford to have it installed in the first place?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Plenty of DUI offenders aren’t in a great place, financially, after their conviction. But, you have options; you could qualify for the California Ignition Interlock Device Installation IID Exemption under certain financial circumstances, allowing the administrative service fee to be waived for your ignition interlock device installation. In addition, if your income level is at or below the federal poverty guidelines, you could be eligible for a reduction in the costs of your ignition interlock device. These programs are important for any DUI offender who may already struggle financially and cannot afford to not have a vehicle with an ignition interlock device. Besides, every little bit of savings helps.
Remember that even if you don’t think you can afford an ignition interlock in California, driving illegally will only get you in deeper trouble. You want the court to see that you are committed to never drinking and driving again, not that you haven’t taken to heart the risky behavior that led to your DUI. Financial assistance can be your best partner in recovering from your DUI and the “$10,000 Ride” that comes with it, and once you’re back in the driver’s seat of your own life, you’ll be glad that you went the extra mile to get your life back together.
Would You Rather? Ignition Interlocks or Impounded Vehicles