Help for DUI suspensions only a month away

Help for DUI suspensions only a month away

In May 2016, Governor Wolf signed a law that will, when it takes effect on August 25, 2017, create immediate help for people under DUI suspensions. The law creates a new, special type of license: an “IGNITION INTERLOCK LIMITED LICENSE” or “IILL”. People serving DUI related license suspensions CAN apply for the IILL, get it, and then they can drive even if they are still suspended for a DUI.

Here’s how the law works. If you are serving a license suspension because you were convicted of DUI, you are eligible for an IILL after serving HALF of your 12 or 18 month license suspension (whichever it happens to be). Similarly, if you are serving a license suspension for refusing a blood or breath test, you are eligible for an IILL after serving HALF of your 12 or 18 month license suspension (whichever it happens to be). And, for people who WILL HAVE a license suspension because of a DUI conviction and the DUI conviction was their first, they can also apply for the IILL immediately.

Now that we are almost to that magical date in August, some important things to know. To obtain an IILL, you must have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle. You must complete an application to PennDOT and pay a fee (of course you have to pay a fee).

If you are given an IILL, you may drive. Anywhere. No restrictions.

PennDOT forms regarding the IILL are not yet available. When they become available, I will post a link.

To summarize IILL eligibility —

REASON FOR SUSPENSION LENGTH OF SUSPENSION WHEN AM I ELIGIBLE FOR IILL?
 
DUI CONVICTION (FIRST LIFETIME) 12 OR 18 MONTHS IMMEDIATELY
DUI CONVITION (PRIOR LIFETIME DUI) 12 MONTHS AFTER SERVING 6 MONTHS
DUI CONVICTION 18 MONTHS AFTER SERVING 9 MONTHS
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING 12 MONTHS AFTER SERVING 6 MONTHS
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING 18 MONTHS AFTER SERVING 9 MONTHS

The IILL is a brand new creation. There will be issues with its implementation. If you have any questions about eligibility or otherwise, please call (215) 752-0600 to speak with me.