View Our Newest Version Here

2006 Code of Virginia § 18.2-270.1 - Ignition interlock systems; penalty

18.2-270.1. Ignition interlock systems; penalty.

A. For purposes of this section and 18.2-270.2:

"Commission" means the Commission on VASAP.

"Department" means the Department of Motor Vehicles.

"Ignition interlock system" means a device that (i) connects a motorvehicle ignition system to an analyzer that measures a driver's blood alcoholcontent; (ii) prevents a motor vehicle ignition from starting if a driver'sblood alcohol content exceeds 0.025 percent; and (iii) is equipped with theability to perform a rolling retest and to electronically log the bloodalcohol content during ignition, attempted ignition and rolling retest.

"Rolling retest" means a test of the vehicle operator's blood alcoholcontent required at random intervals during operation of the vehicle, whichtriggers the sounding of the horn and flashing of lights if (i) the testindicates that the operator has a blood alcohol content which exceeds 0.025percent or (ii) the operator fails to take the test.

B. In addition to any penalty provided by law for a conviction under 18.2-51.4 or 18.2-266 or a substantially similar ordinance of any county,city or town, any court of proper jurisdiction (i) may, for a first offense,(ii) shall, for a second or subsequent offense and (iii) shall, for anoffense where an offender's blood alcohol content equals or exceeds 0.15percent, as a condition of a restricted license or as a condition of licenserestoration under subsection C of 18.2-271.1 or 46.2-391, prohibit anoffender from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with afunctioning, certified ignition interlock system for any period of time notto exceed the period of license suspension and restriction, not less than sixmonths, and shall require that such a system be installed on each motorvehicle, as defined in 46.2-100, owned by or registered to the offender, inwhole or in part, for such period of time. Such condition shall be inaddition to any purposes for which a restricted license may be issuedpursuant to 18.2-271.1. The court may order the installation of an ignitioninterlock system to commence immediately upon conviction. A fee of $20 tocover court and administrative costs related to the ignition interlock systemshall be paid by any such offender to the clerk of the court. The court shallrequire the offender to install an electronic log device with the ignitioninterlock system on a vehicle designated by the court to measure the bloodalcohol content at each attempted ignition and random rolling retest duringoperation of the vehicle. The offender shall be enrolled in and supervised byan alcohol safety action program pursuant to 18.2-271.1 and to conditionsestablished by regulation under 18.2-270.2 by the Commission during theperiod for which the court has ordered installation of the ignition interlocksystem. The offender shall be further required to provide to such program, atleast quarterly during the period of court ordered ignition interlockinstallation, a printout from such electronic log indicating the offender'sblood alcohol content during such ignitions, attempted ignitions, and rollingretests, and showing attempts to circumvent or tamper with the equipment.

C. In any case in which the court requires the installation of an ignitioninterlock system, the court shall direct the offender not to operate anymotor vehicle which is not equipped with such a system for the period of timethat installation is ordered. The clerk of the court shall file with theDepartment of Motor Vehicles a copy of the order, which shall become a partof the offender's operator's license record maintained by the Department. TheDepartment shall issue to the offender for the installation period requiredby the court, a restricted license which shall appropriately set forth therestrictions required by the court under this subsection and any otherrestrictions imposed upon the offender's driving privilege, and shall alsoset forth any exception granted by the court under subsection F.

D. The offender shall be ordered to provide the appropriate ASAP program,within 30 days of the effective date of the order of court, proof of theinstallation of the ignition interlock system. The Program shall require theoffender to have the system monitored and calibrated for proper operation atleast every 30 days by an entity approved by the Commission under theprovisions of 18.2-270.2 and to demonstrate proof thereof. The offendershall pay the cost of leasing or buying and monitoring and maintaining theignition interlock system. Absent good cause shown, the court may revoke theoffender's driving privilege for failing to (i) timely install such system or(ii) have the system properly monitored and calibrated.

E. No person shall start or attempt to start a motor vehicle equipped with anignition interlock system for the purpose of providing an operable motorvehicle to a person who is prohibited under this section from operating amotor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system. Noperson shall tamper with, or in any way attempt to circumvent the operationof, an ignition interlock system that has been installed in the motor vehicleof a person under this section. Except as authorized in subsection G, noperson shall knowingly furnish a motor vehicle not equipped with afunctioning ignition interlock system to any person prohibited undersubsection B from operating any motor vehicle which is not equipped with suchsystem. A violation of this subsection shall be punishable as a Class 1misdemeanor.

F. Any person prohibited from operating a motor vehicle under subsection Bmay, solely in the course of his employment, operate a motor vehicle which isowned or provided by his employer without installation of an ignitioninterlock system, if the court expressly permits such operation as acondition of a restricted license at the request of the employer, but suchperson may not operate a commercial motor vehicle as defined in 46.2-341.4.This subsection shall not apply if such employer is an entity wholly orpartially owned or controlled by the person otherwise prohibited fromoperating a vehicle without an ignition interlock system.

G. The Commission shall promulgate such regulations and forms as arenecessary to implement the procedures outlined in this section.

(1995, c. 486; 1996, c. 841; 1997, c. 691; 1998, cc. 783, 840; 1999, c. 734;2000, cc. 958, 980; 2004, c. 961.)

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Virginia may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.