Penalties For Not Using An Ignition Interlock Device

(a)  Offense defined.–

(1)  An individual required to only drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the

movement of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system under section 1553(d.2) (relating to

occupational limited license) or 3805 (relating to ignition interlock) who drives, operates or is in actual

physical control of the movement of a motor vehicle within this Commonwealth without such a system

commits a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 and not

more than $1,000 and to imprisonment for not more than 90 days.

(2)  An individual required to only drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the

movement of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system under section 1553(d.2) or 3805 who

drives, operates or is in actual physical control of the movement of a motor vehicle within this Commonwealth

without such a system and who has an amount of alcohol by weight in his blood that is equal to or greater than

0.025% at the time of testing or who has in his blood any amount of a Schedule I or nonprescribed Schedule II

or III controlled substance, as defined in the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled

Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, or its metabolite commits a misdemeanor of the third degree and

shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $1,000 and to undergo imprisonment for a period of not

less than 90 days.

(b)  Tampering with an ignition interlock system.–A person that tampers with an ignition interlock system

required by law commits a misdemeanor and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300

nor more than $1,000 and to undergo imprisonment for not more than 90 days. The term “tampering,” in addition to

any physical act which is intended to alter or interfere with the proper functioning of an ignition interlock system

required by law, shall include attempting to circumvent or bypass or circumventing or bypassing an ignition

interlock system by:

(1)  means of using another individual to provide a breath sample; or

(2)  providing a breath sample for the purpose of bypassing an ignition interlock system required

by law.

(c)  Suspension of operating privilege.–Notwithstanding section 3805(c) and (i):

(1)  If a person who is required to only drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the

movement of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system violates this section, upon receipt of a

certified record of the conviction, the department shall not issue a replacement license to the person under

section 1951(d) (relating to driver’s license and learner’s permit) that does not contain an ignition interlock

restriction for a period of one year from the date of conviction.

(2)  Upon receipt of a certified record of a second conviction of a violation of this section

committed by a person who is required to only drive, operate or be in actual physical control of the movement

of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system which occurred during the same ignition

interlock restricted license period, the department shall suspend the person’s operating privileges for a period of

one year and recall the ignition interlock restricted license, and the person shall surrender the ignition interlock

restricted license to the department or its agents designated under the authority of section 1540 (relating to

surrender of license). Following completion of the suspension period, the department shall require that the

person comply with the requirements of section 3805 prior to being eligible to receive a replacement license

under section 1951(d) that does not contain an ignition interlock restriction.

(d)  Applicability.–Notwithstanding section 3101 (relating to application of part), this section shall apply in all

areas throughout this Commonwealth; however, it shall not apply to persons installing, maintaining or inspecting

ignition interlock devices in the course and scope of their employment.

(Nov. 29, 2004, P.L.1369, No.177, eff. imd.)

2004 Amendment.  Act 177 amended subsecs. (a)(1) and (b)