Ignition Interlock System Program in Maryland DWI cases, Criminal cases Maryland DWI DUI. CONFUSED YET?. Call for Free Phone Consultation.

(a)(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) "Approved service provider" means a person who is certified by:

(i) The Administration to service, install, monitor, calibrate, and provide information on ignition interlock systems; and

(ii) A manufacturer to be qualified to service, install, monitor, calibrate, and provide information on ignition interlock systems.

(3) "Manufacturer" means a person who manufactures ignition interlock systems and who certifies that approved service providers are qualified to service, install, monitor, calibrate, and provide information on ignition interlock systems.

(4) "Participant" means a participant in the Ignition Interlock System Program.

(5) "Program" means the Ignition Interlock System Program.

(b)(1) The Administration may establish an Ignition Interlock System Program.

(2) The Administration may establish a protocol for the Program by regulations which require certain minimum standards for all service providers who service, install, monitor, calibrate, and provide information on ignition interlock systems, and include requirements that:

(i) A service provider who applies to the Administration for certification as an approved service provider shall demonstrate that the service provider is able to competently service, install, monitor, calibrate, and provide information on ignition interlock systems;

(ii) A service provider who applies to the Administration for certification as an approved service provider shall be certified by a signed affidavit from the manufacturer that the service provider has been trained by an authorized manufacturer and that the service provider is competent to service, install, monitor, calibrate, and provide information on ignition interlock systems;

(iii) Approved service providers be deemed to be authorized representatives of a manufacturer; and

(iv) Any service of notice upon an approved service provider, who has violated any laws or regulations or whose ignition interlock system has violated any laws or regulations, be deemed as service upon the manufacturer who certified the approved service provider.

(3) An individual may be a participant if:

(i) The individual's license is suspended or revoked for a violation of § 21-902(a), (b), or (c) of this article or an accumulation of points under § 16-402(a)(24) or (33) of this subtitle;

(ii) The individual is ordered to participate in the Program by a court under § 27-107 of this article;

(iii) The individual's license has an alcohol restriction imposed under § 16-113(b) or (g) of this title; or

(iv) The Administration modifies a suspension or issues a restrictive license to the individual under § 16-205.1(b)(3)(vii) or (n)(2) or (4) of this title.

(4) The Administration may:

(i) Issue a restrictive license to an individual who is a participant in the Program during the suspension period as provided under § 16-404(c)(3) of this subtitle;

(ii) Reinstate the driver's license of a participant whose license has been revoked for a violation of § 21-902(a), (b), or (c) of this article or revoked for an accumulation of points under § 16-402(a)(33) of this subtitle for a violation of § 21-902(a) of this article; and

(iii) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, impose on a participant a period of suspension in accordance with § 16-404(c)(2) and (3) of this subtitle in lieu of a license revocation for:

1. A violation of § 21-902(a), (b), or (c) of this article; or

2. An accumulation of points under § 16-402(a)(33) of this subtitle for a violation of § 21-902(a) of this article.

(5) A notice of suspension or revocation sent to an individual under this title shall include information about the Program and how the individual can qualify for admission to the Program.

(6) The Administration may establish a fee for the Program.

(c) For purposes of § 16-404(c)(3) of this subtitle and subsection (d) of this section, a participant is considered to begin participation in the Program when the participant provides evidence of the installation of an ignition interlock system by an approved service provider in a manner required by the Administration.

(d) An individual whose license is suspended under § 16-404(c)(2)(iv) of this subtitle is a habitual offender whose license may not be reinstated unless the individual participates in the Program for at least 24 months.

(e)(1) For purposes of an ignition interlock system used under § 16-205(f) of this title, this section, or a court order under § 27-107 of this article, the Administration shall permit only the use of an ignition interlock system that meets or exceeds the technical standards for breath alcohol ignition interlock devices published in the Federal Register from time to time.

(2) For purposes of an ignition interlock system used under this section, the Administration shall require the Program protocol adopted by the Administration.

(f)(1) An individual required to use an ignition interlock system under a court order:

(i) Shall be monitored by the Administration; and

(ii) Shall pay the fee required by the Administration under subsection (b)(6) of this section.

(2) A court order that requires the use of an ignition interlock system is not affected by § 16-404(c)(3) of this subtitle.