(See Editor's notes.) Timing for Issuance of Ignition Interlock Device Limited Driving Permit; Documentation Required; Reporting Requirement

  1. Law
  2. Georgia Code
  3. Penal Institutions
  4. Probation
  5. Ignition Interlock Devices
  6. (See Editor's notes.) Timing for Issuance of Ignition Interlock Device Limited Driving Permit; Documentation Required; Reporting Requirement

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    1. In any case where the court grants a certificate of eligibility for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit or probationary license pursuant to Code Section 42-8-111 to a person whose driver's license is suspended pursuant to subparagraph (c)(2)(C) of Code Section 40-5-57.1 or paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of Code Section 40-5-63, the Department of Driver Services shall not issue an ignition interlock device limited driving permit until after the expiration of 120 days from the date of the conviction for which such certificate was granted.
    2. The Department of Driver Services shall condition issuance of an ignition interlock device limited driving permit for such person upon receipt of acceptable documentation of the following:
      1. That the person to whom such permit is to be issued has completed a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program certified by the Department of Driver Services;
      2. That such person has completed a clinical evaluation as defined in Code Section 40-5-1 and enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Department of Human Services or is enrolled in a drug court program;
      3. That such person has installed an ignition interlock device in any vehicle that he or she will be operating; and
      4. A certificate of eligibility for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit or probationary license from the court that sentenced such person for the conviction that resulted in the suspension or revocation of his or her driver's license for which he or she is applying for a limited driving permit or probationary license.
    1. In any case where the court grants a certificate of eligibility for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit or probationary license pursuant to Code Section 42-8-111 to a person whose driver's license is revoked as a habitual violator pursuant to Code Section 40-5-58, the Department of Driver Services shall not issue a habitual violator probationary license until after the expiration of two years from the date of the conviction for which such certificate was granted.
    2. The Department of Driver Services shall condition issuance of a habitual violator probationary license for such person upon receipt of acceptable documentation of the following:
      1. That the person to whom such probationary license is to be issued has completed a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program certified by the Department of Driver Services;
      2. That such person has completed a clinical evaluation as defined in Code Section 40-5-1 and enrolled in a substance abuse treatment program approved by the Department of Human Services or is enrolled in a drug court program;
      3. That such person has installed an ignition interlock device in any vehicle that he or she will be operating; and
      4. A certificate of eligibility for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit or probationary license from the court that sentenced such person for the conviction that resulted in the suspension or revocation of his or her driver's license for which he or she is applying for a limited driving permit or probationary license.
    3. In any case where installation of an ignition interlock device is required, failure to show proof of such device shall be grounds for refusal of reinstatement of such license or issuance of such habitual violator's probationary license or the immediate suspension or revocation of such license.
    4. Any limited driving permit or probationary license issued to such person shall bear a restriction reflecting that the person may only operate a motor vehicle equipped with a functional ignition interlock device. No person whose limited driving permit or probationary license contains such restriction shall operate a motor vehicle that is not equipped with a functional ignition interlock device.
      1. Any person who has been issued an ignition interlock device limited driving permit or a habitual violator probationary license bearing an ignition interlock device condition shall maintain such ignition interlock device in any motor vehicle he or she operates to the extent required by the certificate of eligibility for such permit or probationary license issued to such person by the court in which he or she was convicted for not less than one year.
      2. Upon the expiration of such one-year ignition interlock device limited driving permit or habitual violator probationary license, the driver may, if otherwise qualified, apply for renewal of such permit or probationary license without such ignition interlock device restriction.
  3. Each resident of this state who is required to have an ignition interlock device installed pursuant to this article shall report to the provider center every 30 days for the purpose of monitoring the operation of each required ignition interlock device. If at any time it is determined that a person has tampered with the device, the Department of Driver Services shall be given written notice within five days by the community supervision officer, the court ordering the use of such device, or the interlock provider. If an ignition interlock device is found to be malfunctioning, it shall be replaced or repaired, as ordered by the court or the Department of Driver Services, at the expense of the provider.
    1. An ignition interlock provider shall notify the Department of Driver Services if a person required by subsection (c) of this Code section fails to report to the provider as required, receives an unsatisfactory report from the provider, or requests the provider remove the ignition interlock device at any time during the ignition interlock device limited driving permit period, and the Department of Driver Services shall revoke such person's permit immediately upon receipt of such notification. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, within 30 days after such revocation, the person may make a written request for a hearing and remit to the Department of Driver Services a payment of $250.00 for the cost of the hearing. Within 30 days after receiving a written request for a hearing and a payment of $250.00, the Department of Driver Services shall hold a hearing as provided in Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act." The hearing shall be recorded.
    2. Any person whose ignition interlock device limited driving permit was revoked on or before July 1, 2004, for failure to report or failure to receive a satisfactory report may make a written request for a hearing and remit to the Department of Driver Services a payment of $250.00 for the cost of the hearing. Within 30 days after receiving a written request for a hearing and a payment of $250.00, the Department of Driver Services shall hold a hearing as provided in Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act." The hearing shall be recorded.
    3. If the hearing officer determines that the person failed to report to the ignition interlock provider for any of the reasons specified in this paragraph, the Department of Driver Services shall issue a new ignition interlock device limited driving permit that shall be valid for a period of one year to such person. Such reasons shall be for providential cause and shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
      1. Medical necessity, as evidenced by a written statement from a medical doctor;
      2. The person was incarcerated;
      3. The person was required to be on the job at his or her place of employment, with proof that the person would be terminated if he or she was not at work; or
      4. The vehicle with the installed interlock device was rendered inoperable by reason of collision, fire, or a major mechanical failure.
    4. If the hearing officer determines that the person failed to report to the ignition interlock provider for any reason other than those specified in paragraph (3) of this subsection, or if the person received an unsatisfactory report from the provider, after the expiration of 120 days the person may apply to the Department of Driver Services and the Department of Driver Services shall issue a new ignition interlock device limited driving permit to such person.
    5. This subsection shall not apply to any person convicted of violating Code Section 42-8-118.

(Code 1981, §42-8-112, enacted by Ga. L. 1993, p. 568, § 1; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1457, § 6; Ga. L. 2001, p. 208, § 1-9; Ga. L. 2002, p. 415, § 42; Ga. L. 2003, p. 796, § 8; Ga. L. 2004, p. 604, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 42/HB 95; Ga. L. 2005, p. 334, § 24-5/HB 501; Ga. L. 2012, p. 72, § 7/SB 236; Ga. L. 2013, p. 878, § 4/HB 407; Ga. L. 2014, p. 710, § 1-20/SB 298; Ga. L. 2015, p. 5, § 42/HB 90; Ga. L. 2015, p. 60, § 5-1/SB 100; Ga. L. 2015, p. 422, § 5-73/HB 310; Ga. L. 2016, p. 323, § 1-8/HB 205.)

The 2012 amendment, effective January 1, 2013, substituted the present provisions of subsections (a) and (b) for the former provisions, which read: "(a) In any case where the court imposes the use of an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation on a resident of this state whose driving privilege is not suspended or revoked, the court shall require the person to surrender his or her driver's license to the court immediately and provide proof of compliance with such order to the court or the probation officer and obtain an ignition interlock device restricted driving license within 30 days. Upon expiration of the period of time for which such person is required to use an ignition interlock device, the person may apply for and receive a regular driver's license upon payment of the fee provided for in Code Section 40-5-25. If such person fails to provide proof of installation to the extent required by subsection (a) of Code Section 42-8-111 and receipt of the restricted driving license within such period, absent a finding by the court of good cause for that failure, which finding is entered in the court's record, the court shall revoke or terminate the probation.

"(b)(1) In any case where the court imposes the use of an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation on a resident of this state whose driving privilege is suspended or revoked, the court shall require the person to provide proof of compliance with such order to the court or the probation officer and the Department of Driver Services not later than ten days after the date on which such person first becomes eligible to apply for an ignition interlock device limited driving permit in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection or a habitual violator's probationary license in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection, whichever is applicable. If such person fails to provide proof of installation to the extent required by subsection (a) of Code Section 42-8-111 within the period required by this subsection, absent a finding by the court of good cause for that failure, which finding is entered on the court's record, the court shall revoke or terminate the probation if such is still applicable.

"(2) If the person subject to court ordered use of an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation is authorized under Code Section 40-5-63 or 40-5-67.2 to apply for reinstatement of his or her driver's license during the period of suspension, such person shall, prior to applying for reinstatement of the license, have an ignition interlock device installed and shall maintain such ignition interlock device in a motor vehicle or vehicles to the extent required by subsection (a) of Code Section 42-8-111 for a period of six months running concurrently with that of an ignition interlock device limited driving permit, which permit shall not be issued until such person submits to the department proof of completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program, proof of having undergone any clinical evaluation and of having enrolled in any substance abuse treatment program required by Code Section 40-5-63.1, and proof of installation of an ignition interlock device on a vehicle or vehicles to the extent required by subsection (a) of Code Section 42-8-111. Such a person may apply for and be issued an ignition interlock device limited driving permit at the end of 12 months after the suspension of the driver's license. At the expiration of such six-month ignition interlock device limited driving permit, the driver may, if otherwise qualified, apply for reinstatement of a regular driver's license upon payment of the fee provided in Code Section 40-5-25.

"(3) If the person subject to court ordered use of an ignition interlock device as a condition of probation is authorized under Code Section 40-5-58 or under Code Section 40-5-67.2 to obtain a habitual violator's probationary license, such person shall, if such person is a habitual violator as a result of two or more convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, have an ignition interlock device installed and maintained in a motor vehicle or vehicles to the extent required by subsection (a) of Code Section 42-8-111 for a period of six months following issuance of the probationary license, and such person shall not during such six-month period drive any motor vehicle that is not so equipped, all as conditions of such probationary license. Following expiration of such six-month period with no violation of the conditions of the probationary license, the person may apply for a habitual violator probationary license without such ignition interlock device condition.

"(4) In any case where installation of an ignition interlock device is required, failure to show proof of such device shall be grounds for refusal of reinstatement of such license or issuance of such habitual violator's probationary license or the immediate suspension or revocation of such license."

The 2013 amendment, effective July 1, 2013, in subsection (b), inserted "probationary" in the middle of subparagraph (b)(2)(A), substituted "one year" for "eight months" at the end of subparagraph (b)(5)(A), and substituted "one-year" for "eight-month" near the beginning of subparagraph (b)(5)(B); substituted "one-year" for "six-month" in the first sentence of paragraph (d)(1); in the introductory paragraph of paragraph (d)(3), substituted "specified in this paragraph" for "specified below" in the first sentence, inserted "shall" near the end of the second sentence, and substituted "one year" for "six months". See Editor's notes for applicability.

The 2014 amendment, effective July 1, 2014, added "certified by the Department of Driver Services" at the end of subparagraphs (a)(2)(A) and (b)(2)(A), and substituted "permit" for "probationary license" at the beginning of subparagraph (b)(2)(A).

The 2015 amendments. The first 2015 amendment, effective March 13, 2015, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, substituted "probationary license" for "permit" in subparagraph (b)(2)(A). The second 2015 amendment, effective July 1, 2015, substituted "subparagraph (c)(2)(C)" for "subparagraph (b)(2)(C)" near the middle of paragraph (a)(1). See Editor's notes for applicability. The third 2015 amendment, effective July 1, 2015, substituted "community supervision" for "probation" in the second sentence of subsection (c); in subsection (d), substituted "Department of Driver Services" for "department" throughout. See Editor's notes for applicability.

The 2016 amendment, effective July 1, 2017, substituted the present provisions of the first sentence of paragraph (d)(1) for the former provisions, which read: "If a person required to report to an ignition interlock provider as required by subsection (c) of this Code section fails to report to the provider as required or receives an unsatisfactory report from the provider at any time during the one-year period, the Department of Driver Services shall revoke such person's ignition interlock device limited driving permit immediately upon notification from the provider of the failure to report or failure to receive a satisfactory report."

Cross references.

- Clinical evaluation and substance abuse treatment programs for certain offenders, § 40-5-63.1.

Limited driving permits for certain offenders, § 40-5-64.

Editor's notes.

- Ga. L. 2013, p. 878, § 5/HB 407, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: "This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2013, and shall apply to offenses committed on or after such date."

Ga. L. 2015, p. 60, § 6-1/SB 100, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that this Act shall apply to offenses which occur on or after July 1, 2015.

Ga. L. 2015, p. 422, § 6-1/HB 310, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: "This Act shall become effective July 1, 2015, and shall apply to sentences entered on or after such date."

For application of this statute in 2020, see Executive Order 03.25.20.01.

A listing of Executive Orders issued in 2020 can be found at https://gov.georgia.gov/executive-action/executive-orders/2020-executive-orders.

Law reviews.

- For article on the 2015 amendment of this Code section, see 32 Ga. St. U. L. Rev. 231 (2015).

OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Condition required for refusal of reinstatement.

- Department of Public Safety is required to deny reinstatement of a driver's license or issuance of a probationary license for failure to provide proof of the installation of an ignition interlock device only when the installation has been imposed as a condition of probation by a court in a county or municipality which has established a provider center. 1995 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 95-28.

JUDICIAL DECISIONS

Cited in Hannah v. State, 280 Ga. App. 230, 633 S.E.2d 800 (2006).


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