A. Whenever the installation of an ignition interlock device is allowed or required by law, the Department shall require the device to be installed upon any vehicle owned or leased, as reflected on the vehicle registration, by an employer of the person for use by the person, except when the employer requests the ignition interlock device not be installed. The request shall be in writing and notarized on the official letterhead of the employer and provided by the employer to the Department; provided, a request shall not be accepted by the Department under the following circumstances:

1. When the person is self-employed or owns part or all of the company or corporation, or exercises control over some part of the business which owns or leases the vehicle;

2. When the person is employed by a relative who is within the first degree of consanguinity or who resides in the same household; or

3. When the person has had a prior revocation pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection A of Section 6-205 of this title or Section 753 or 754 of this title.

The person shall comply with all provisions of law and rule regarding ignition interlock devices.

B. 1. Upon request and eligibility, the Department shall issue a restricted driver license to the person, upon payment of a restricted driver license fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and all other appropriate fees by the person. The restricted driver license and the driving record of the person shall indicate by an appropriate restriction that the person is only authorized to operate a vehicle upon which an approved and properly functioning ignition interlock device is installed. If the person is operating a motor vehicle owned or leased by an employer who has not given permission for an ignition interlock device to be installed, the employer shall provide the person with a letter, on official letterhead of the employer, which the person shall carry in his or her immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display for examination and inspection upon demand of a peace officer.

2. The restricted driver license fee authorized by this section shall be remitted to the State Treasurer to be credited to the Department of Public Safety Restricted Revolving Fund. All monies accruing to the credit of the Department of Public Safety Restricted Revolving Fund from the restricted driver license fees shall be budgeted and expended solely for the purpose of administering the provisions of this section.

3. The installation of an ignition interlock device, as required by this section, shall not be construed to authorize the person to drive unless the person is otherwise eligible to drive.

C. Installation of an ignition interlock device shall run concurrently with a court order, if any, for installation of an ignition interlock device pursuant to the same conviction.

D. Installation of an ignition interlock device pursuant to any court order, Impaired Driver Accountability Program or other diversionary program shall be credited towards any requirement for the installation of an ignition interlock device pursuant to any court order, Impaired Driver Accountability Program or other diversionary program arising out of the same incident.

E. The person shall be required to have installed an ignition interlock device approved by the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, at his or her own expense, and comply with all provisions of law regarding ignition interlock devices.

F. The ignition interlock device manufacturer shall report violations, if any, in accordance with the rules of the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence for each ignition interlock device installed pursuant to this section and Section 6-205.1 of this title.

G. Pursuant to Section 6-205.1 of this title, the Department shall extend the period of ignition interlock of the person for a report from the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence of a reportable violation by the person as defined in the rules of the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence. A restriction imposed under this section or Section 6-205.1 of this title shall remain in effect until the Department receives a declaration from the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, in a form provided or approved by the Department, certifying that there have been no reportable violations in the one hundred eighty (180) consecutive days prior to the date of release. The Department shall send notice in accordance with Section 2-116 of this title prior to extending the period of ignition interlock. Upon request, made within fifteen (15) days of completion of the notice, the person shall have the right to an informal hearing before the Department prior to any extension of the period of ignition interlock. The hearing shall be limited to the issues of the validity of the ignition interlock violation and the identity of the person committing the violation. Should the release date of the person occur after the Department has received the informal hearing request but before the informal hearing, the period of ignition interlock of the person shall be extended pending the final judgment of the Department.

H. The Department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement and administer the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 2005, c. 167, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2005. Amended by Laws 2005, c. 394, § 18, eff. Sept. 1, 2005; Laws 2011, c. 373, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2011; Laws 2012, c. 283, § 6, eff. July 1, 2012; Laws 2013, c. 393, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2013; Laws 2017, c. 392, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2017; Laws 2019, c. 400, § 8, eff. Nov. 1, 2019.