Last year, the Minnesota Ignition Interlock Device Program (IIDP) underwent significant changes. These updates have now refined the guidelines necessary to reinstate a participant’s driver’s license. If you recently lost your license due to a driving while impaired (DWI) violation, understanding the changes is crucial to getting back behind the wheel.
Extended look-back period
The most significant update for the IIDP is the look-back period extension. The courts can consider DWI convictions from the past 20 years when determining the length of your license revocation. This means your DWI from 19 years ago, if any, now counts.
Mandatory participation lengths
The state has extended the duration for which you must keep the device, which varies depending on your criminal record:
- One prior DWI in 20 years: 2 years of interlock
- Two prior DWIs in lifetime: 6 years of interlock
- Three or more prior DWIs in lifetime: 10 years of interlock
It is important to note that these timelines are final. You must complete the assigned participation period before your restoration of privileges.
New requirements for treatment and reinstatement
All participants of the Ignition Interlock Device Program (IIDP) must complete a licensed substance use disorder treatment or rehabilitation program. This is a mandatory step before the interlock restriction is removed. However, voluntary enrollees may be exempt from this requirement.
Financial flexibility
Eligible applicants can now enter the IIDP before paying the $680 license reinstatement fee, but this remains a requirement for full reinstatement later. Additionally, you are still responsible for the ongoing costs of the program, including installation, monthly leasing, calibration and removal fees.
Heading towards a reclaimed future
The path to reinstatement is technical, and a single missed deadline or paperwork error can extend your revocation by months. Consulting a criminal defense attorney can guide you in the IIDP application process and offer insights that help you stay compliant with the law.