75 §3805(a) All vehicles owned by offenders may for a first offense and must for a subsequent one be equipped with ignition interlock devices for at least 1 year following license reinstatement.
Exemptions: Financial hardship.
Source: National Conference of State Legislatures
Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania law makes the Ignition Interlock requirement mandatory for first-time and repeat DUI offenders with high blood alcohol levels and for individuals who receive an operating privilege suspension as a result of a chemical test refusal violation or conviction for illegally operating a motor vehicle not equipped with Ignition Interlock system. An individual with an Ignition Interlock requirement who seeks a restoration of operating privileges, is required, as a condition of issuing a restricted license, to either have any motor vehicle to be operated equipped with an Ignition Interlock system and remain so for the duration of the restricted license period or, if there are no motor vehicles owned, registered, or to be operated, so certify in accordance with PennDOT’s regulations.
IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM
An Ignition Interlock system is a device that is installed in a motor vehicle to prohibit an individual under the influence of alcohol from operating the vehicle. An individual is required to blow into the device before starting the vehicle. If the device detects alcohol, it will prevent the vehicle from starting. In addition, at periodic times during the operation of the vehicle, the individual will be prompted to blow into the device to ensure they are not under the influence. An Ignition Interlock system is leased from the Ignition Interlock vendor. Currently, the average costs associated with leasing an Ignition Interlock system is between $900 to $1,300 per year.
IGNITION INTERLOCK LICENSE
Thirty days prior to an individual’s restoration eligibility date, PennDOT will mail them a restoration requirements letter. The letter will include an application for an Ignition Interlock License and information on how to contact an Ignition Interlock vendor. An Ignition Interlock License permits an individual to only operate a motor vehicle equipped with an Ignition Interlock system. The fee for an Ignition Interlock License varies (See FEES chart on last page). An Ignition Interlock License displays a red banner behind the word “Pennsylvania”, the words “LIMITED LICENSE” towards the top of the license, and the words “IGNITION INTERLOCK” in the yellow map of Pennsylvania. From the date the Ignition Interlock License is issued to the time an unrestricted driver’s license is issued, an individual may not drive, operate, or be in actual physical control of the movement of any motor vehicle which is not equipped with an Ignition Interlock system.
Resource: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Ignition Interlock Fact Sheet
DUI Arrest Statistics and Pennsylvania Drunk Driving
| DUI Arrest Statistics | Data | |
| Average number of people arrested annually for drunk driving | 1,500,000 | |
| Pennsylvania DUI’s | 53,319 | 12,742,886 |
* Sources: State Justice Department, Federal Highway Administration
