District of Columbia (Washington, DC) Washington DC’s all -offender ignition interlock law went into effect on November 29, 2016. From 2006 to 2020 in Washington, DC, interlocks stopped 299 attempts to drive drunk with a breath alcohol concentration of .08 or greater, including 20 attempts to drive drunk in 2020.
Grade: D (67/100) The Nation’s Capit a l’s all -offender law results in few interlock installations due loopholes and lack of implementation of the law. Closing law loopholes will ensure better use of these lifesaving devices.
Why does MADD call the law all-offender? A first-time offender must use an interlock for at least six months following a revocation for a drunk driving conviction. Process to obtain an ignition interlock 1. Have held a driver license immediately prior to revocation. 2. Not have any additional or pending license suspensions or revocations. 3. Have not been convicted of causing injury or death while operating a motor vehicle in any jurisdiction. 4. Have enrolled or completed a District of Columbia Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) approved substance abuse treatment program. 5. Have not previously unsuccessfully participated in this program or any similar program in another jurisdiction for 5 years prior to the date of the application. 6. Complete and submit the DC DMV Ignition Interlock Program Application and pay the associated DMV fees. 7. Obtain and maintain High Risk SR22 Insurance. 8. Meet any other criteria as required by the Director of the DMV. Ignition Interlock Law Overview and MADD Legislative Recommendations How soon can an ignition interlock be installed? Duration on ignition interlock Legislative Recommendation First offense Upon Revocation 6 months Allow for the use of interlocks for any refusal Second offense Upon Revocation 12 months First refusal Interlocks not available for first-time refusals Can a drunk driver wait out an interlock order? Yes Legislative Recommendation Any person who has a license suspended for a drunk driving offense, must use an ignition interlock for at least six months before obtaining a non-interlock driver's license. Compliance based removal? Yes If a person violates the rules of the interlock program, he or she will either spend more time in the program, or you will have your driver license revoked, depending on the circumstances. Day-for-Day credit for early installation? No Legislative Recommendation Allow for the use of ignition interlock after arrest and credit early installation of an interlock toward time ordered on an interlock upon conviction. Interlocks required for plea agreements or diversion? No
Allow a first-time apprehended drunk driver who did not cause an injury or property damage crash, and successfully completes six continuous months on an ignition interlock and completes other court or department conditions to be granted a plea deal.
Legislative Recommendation
Affordability program? Yes The DMV shall determine whether a user is indigent. If indigent, the DMV shall pay all costs associated with that person's enrollment and participation in the Program. The term "indigent" means a person who receives an annual income, after taxes, of 150% or less of the federal poverty guidelines as updated periodically in the Federal Register by the United States Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to section 673(2) of the Community Services Block Grant Act, approved October 27, 1998 (1 12 Stat. 2729;42 U.S.C. 5 9902(2). Sources: § 50 – 2201.05a, DC DMV.
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