What Happens If I Don’t Have the Ignition Interlock Device Installed After a DWI Conviction?

Blowing into an ignition interlock device (IID) is both inconvenient and embarrassing, and the costs of installation and calibration can add up quickly. It is understandable why some people are hesitant to get an IID installed on their vehicle, but failure to do so could result in additional penalties.

According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, if you do not get an IID installed after a court has ordered you to do so, your driver’s license will be suspended for an additional year. There are also criminal penalties for avoiding the IID by failure to install it or by driving a car in which it is not installed.

If you are facing DUI charges and you would like to learn about potential defense strategies, contact the Law Office of Eric M. Mark. I will investigate your arrest, gather evidence, and structure a comprehensive defense based on the unique facts of your case. Call 973-453-2009 to schedule a free initial consultation.

Read on to learn the answers to three more FAQs about ignition interlock devices in New Jersey:

• I Was Ordered to Get an IID Installed but I Do Not Own or Operate a Vehicle. What Are My Options?

According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, if you do not own a vehicle and you have no intention to drive any vehicles following your suspension term, you must present 6 Points of Identification at any Motor Vehicle Agency to obtain a non-driver ID. In order for your driving privileges to be restored, you must provide the MVC with a certification of IID installation and a service invoice to prove that an IID was installed on any vehicle that you will be driving.

• I Have a Medical Condition That Prevents Me from Using the IID. What Should I Do?

If you have a medical condition that prevents you from using an IID, you must visit your doctor to get a note that explains why your condition prevents you from doing so. You will have to present that note to the IID manufacturer, who will then forward it to the MVC.

• What If I Remove the IID Before the Required IID Installation Time Is Over?

There are certain scenarios when a person would reasonably want to get an IID removed before the required installation time is over. For example, you might want to do so if you are selling your vehicle or if it was totaled in an accident.

According to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, if you decide to remove the IID early, you must return it to the IID provider. The provider will then tell the Motor Vehicle Commission that the IID has been removed. You will receive a letter from the MVC that explains that your privilege to drive will be suspended until you prove that another IID has been installed on your vehicle by showing an interlock certificate.

If you were charged with DWI, contact an Elizabeth DWI attorney from the Law Office of Eric M. Mark to discuss possible defense strategies that apply to your case. Call 973-453-2009 to schedule a free consultation at my office in New Jersey.