Pennsylvania Ignition Interlock Limited License (I.I.L.L.): Do I have to get one, if so, when can I get it, and how long do I have to keep it?
You’ve received a notice from PennDot that says your license is suspended due to a DUI conviction; or due to an ARD disposition of a DUI; or due to you refusing to submit to a breath or blood test. So, what does all of this actually mean to you?
Length of Suspension
If your suspension is due to a DUI conviction, meaning you plead guilty and received a sentence from the Court, then your license suspension will be for at least 1 year. (Longer if you’ve had prior DUIs)
If your suspension is due to an ARD disposition of your DUI, meaning you’ve been placed in the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) program, then your license will be suspended for 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days, depending on your BAC and/or age.
If your suspension is due to you refusing to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test of your blood alcohol level (BAC), then your license suspension will be for 1 year, unless you’ve had a prior DUI or prior conviction for refusing a BAC test, then it will be for 18 months.
Do I have to get an I.I.L.L.?
ARD SUSPENSION:
If your license is suspended due to an ARD disposition of your DUI, and you do not have any prior DUIs, then you will not be required to get an I.I.L.L. prior to being re-issued your unrestricted driver’s license. You can simply refrain from driving during the 30, 60, or 90 day suspension, and then apply to have your unrestricted license re-issued to you once the suspension is complete.
However, you may still want one. In this scenario, you could keep driving during the period of your license suspension, once you have an Ignition Interlock installed in your vehicle, and you obtain an I.I.L.L.
DUI CONVICTION & REFUSAL SUSPENSIONS:
If your suspension is due to a DUI conviction OR due to you refusing to submit to a breathalyzer or blood test of your blood alcohol level (BAC), you will be required to get an I.I.L.L. prior to being re-issued your unrestricted driver’s license. You must have an I.I.L.L. for a period of 1 year before PennDot will re-issue your unrestricted driver’s license.
The 1 year of mandatory I.I.L.L. is calculated from the first day you have your I.I.L.L. No duh, right? So why did I mention that? Because in most cases you can get the I.I.L.L. at some point during your license suspension so that you can drive your vehicle with the Ignition Interlock installed. So say you’re suspended for a year, and you get the I.I.L.L. 6 months before your actual suspension is finished. Now, you get to drive for the last 6 months of your suspension instead of walking; And when your suspension is over, you’ll only have 6 more months of the mandatory I.I.L.L. before you can get your unrestricted driver’s license.
On the other hand, if you refrain from driving during the whole 1 year suspension. After your suspension is over you will still have to get an I.I.L.L., and keep it for an entire year before they will re-issue your unrestricted driver’s license.
This sort of makes it a no-brainer that you should obtain your I.I.L.L. as soon as you possibly can.
When can I get an I.I.L.L.?
ARD SUSPENSION:
You are immediately eligible to apply and obtain your I.I.L.L. You should apply for the I.I.L.L. as soon as you get your suspension letter from PennDot. Remember, before they will issue you an I.I.L.L., you have to get the Ignition Interlock device installed in your vehicle.
DUI CONVICTION:
If you have no prior DUI offenses, as defined by 75 PaCSA §3806, then you are immediately eligible to apply and obtain your I.I.L.L. You should apply for the I.I.L.L. as soon as you get your suspension letter from PennDot. Remember, before they will issue you an I.I.L.L., you have to get the Ignition Interlock device installed in your vehicle.
If you do have a prior DUI offense, as defined by 75 PaCSA §3806, then you must serve 6 months of your suspension before you are eligible to apply and obtain your I.I.L.L. You should mark your calendar for 6 months after your suspension date, and apply as soon as those 6 months have passed. Remember, before they will issue you an I.I.L.L., you have to get the Ignition Interlock device installed in your vehicle.
Contrary to what you may think when you read the PennDot suspension letter, they will not notify you when you are first eligible to obtain your I.I.L.L. They will only notify you at the end of your suspension that you are mandated to have an I.I.L.L. before you can get your unrestricted license back.
REFUSAL SUSPENSIONS:
If you have no prior refusal offenses and no prior DUI offenses, as defined by 75 PaCSA §3806, then you must serve 6 months of your suspension before you are eligible to apply and obtain your I.I.L.L. You should mark your calendar for 6 months after your suspension date, and apply as soon as those 6 months have passed. Remember, before they will issue you an I.I.L.L., you have to get the Ignition Interlock device installed in your vehicle.
If you do have a prior refusal offense, or a prior DUI offense, as defined by 75 PaCSA §3806, then you must serve 9 months of your suspension before you are eligible to apply and obtain your I.I.L.L. You should mark your calendar for 9 months after your suspension date, and apply as soon as those 9 months have passed. Remember, before they will issue you an I.I.L.L., you have to get the Ignition Interlock device installed in your vehicle.
Contrary to what you may think when you read the PennDot suspension letter, they will not notify you when you are first eligible to obtain your I.I.L.L. They will only notify you at the end of your suspension that you are mandated to have an I.I.L.L. before you can get your unrestricted license back.
