New DUI Ignition Interlock Law

As of Jan 1, 2013, with a second DUI conviction within five years, you may be eligible for a special limited Ignition Interlock permit. Prior to that, drivers would have to wait a full year before being eligible to drive again. Starting in 2013, there is a provision in the law that permits those same drivers to receive a limited permit.

ONLY CERTAIN DRIVERS QUALIFY

1) 120 days must have elapsed from your plea/conviction date, and

2) You will have to be in either a DUI Court program, or be enrolled in clinical treatment as defined in O.C.G.A. §40-5-1. Prior to enrollment, you must complete a clinical evaluation from a provider approved by the DUI Intervention Program of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities prior to enrolling in clinical treatment. Information about approved evaluation and treatment providers can be found on the DUI Intervention Program’s website, www.mop.uga.edu, which can also be reached via the DDS’ website, www.dds.ga.gov, and

3) You will have to complete DUI School.

DRIVING RESTRICTIONS ONCE YOU HAVE THE LICENSE
Once you have the Ignition Interlock permit, you are permitted to drive for the following purposes ONLY:
(A) Going to your place of employment;
(B) Attending a college or school at which you are regularly enrolled as a student;
(C) Attending regularly scheduled sessions or meetings of treatment support organizations for persons who have addiction or abuse problems related to alcohol or other drugs, which organizations are recognized by the commissioner; and
(D) Going for monthly monitoring visits with the permit holder’s ignition interlock device service provider.

For more information, please visit my website at www.carnellfirm.com. I can be reached via email at jason@carnellfirm.com or via phone at 770-729-4809.

- Jason Carnell