All drunk drivers in Illinois are required to install an ignition interlock device, even if they never set foot in a courtroom. Once arrested for a DUI, a suspect’s driver’s license is immediately suspended through the Illinois DMV. In order to reinstate driving privileges, the suspect will need to apply for a Monitored Device Driving Permit (MDDP). This allows suspects to drive with an ignition interlock installed until the suspension is over. If convicted of a DUI, an offender may qualify for a restricted driver’s permit (RDP) which will also require an ignition interlock device.
However, the ignition interlock or BAIID (breath alcohol ignition interlock device) comes with one huge responsibility: remaining sober when driving. Any violations will result in a three-month extension in the MDDP permit. If there are Illinois ignition interlock violations on an RDP, the offender risks losing their interlock privileges altogether. Plus, those violations can be used in any future attempts to restore a driver’s license.
Illinois ignition interlock violations include:
- A positive blood alcohol concentration (BAC) reading of .05 percent or higher.
- Failing or refusing to take a rolling retest.
- Missing any service appointments for the interlock device.
- Five or more failed attempts to start a vehicle in 24 hours.
- Ten or more failed attempts to start a vehicle in 30 days.
- Tampering with or attempting to circumvent the device.
Asking another person to blow into your device to help start your vehicle, or keep it going after you are on the road, is also a violation.
Whether you have an MDDP or RDP, your best way to regain your freedom to drive independently after a DUI is to avoid Illinois ignition interlock violations. By remaining sober when you know you will be driving, and refusing to drive if you have had even one drink, you can be assured of an easy road to regaining your freedom.
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