After a conviction for one or more DUIs, the court has suspended your Pennsylvania driver’s license. Unfortunately, the court did not simultaneously suspend your various obligations. Thankfully, Pennsylvania does offer drivers a form of conditional license, known as an “Ignition Interlock Limited License.” For more information on who qualifies and how to obtain one, please read on, then contact an experienced Allegheny County DUI lawyer today.
Does Pennsylvania offer drivers a conditional license?
As alluded to above, if your driver’s license is under suspension as a result of a conviction for Driving Under The Influence or Driving While Intoxicated, you may apply for an Ignition Interlock Limited License that will allow you to drive to and from work, attend classes or examinations at accredited institutions of higher education, to ongoing medical treatment or any other purpose and at any time. If you are eligible, you must complete DMV form DL-9108, Ignition Interlock Limited License Petition and have an ignition interlock device installed on your vehicle. You may only drive the vehicle with the device installed.
Am I eligible for a conditional license in Pennsylvania?
The offense which caused the suspension will determine whether and when a court will issue you an Ignition Interlock Limited License. Potential eligibility is as follows:
Eligible for the whole suspension:
- Any DUI suspension as a result of the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program
- A 1-year suspension for a first-offense DUI
Eligible after six months:
- A 12-month suspension for chemical test refusal pursuant to Title 75 sec. 1547
- A second-offense DUI tier 1 (General Impairment) suspension of 1 year
- A third-offense DUI tier 1 (General Impairment) suspension of 12 months
Eligible after nine months:
- A second-offense DUI tier 2 (High Rate, minor driver or driving CDL/school bus) or tier 3 (Highest rate, chemical test refusal, controlled substance) suspension of 18 months
- A third-offense DUI tier 2 or tier 3 suspension of 18 months
- A fourth- or subsequent offense DUI suspension of 18 months
What if my offenses have conflicting eligibilities?
Please note that the refusal suspension is separate from, and in addition to, any suspension imposed for the DUI. This may lead to a complicated situation where you are facing a 12-month suspension for refusal (which is not eligible for Ignition Interlock Limited License for six months) but also have an additional 12-month DUI suspension (which is eligible for this license for the whole suspension). Refusal and DUI suspension always run consecutively, never concurrently.
Can you get a conditional commercial driver’s license in Pennsylvania?
No, the Ignition Interlock Limited License is only available for regular Class C licenses, not for those with commercial driver’s licenses. Your best hope for retaining your driving privileges if you drive for a living is to fight the initial charges.
In any event, you should reach out to George A. Heym, Esq. as soon as possible to discuss your options and for help applying for an Ignition Interlock Limited License.
Contact Our Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer
If you are facing a DUI charge, contact The Law Offices of George Heym to schedule your free initial consultation.
