What are Iowa’s ignition interlock device laws?
In July of 2018, Iowa enacted an updated driving under the influence law. This law requires anyone who has been convicted of an OWI to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles if they have a temporary restricted license. This includes first-time offenders and those convicted of an OWI impaired by drugs. The previous law allowed individuals convicted of OWI with a blood alcohol content between .08% and .10% who were first-time offenders to be exempt from the requirement to install an ignition interlock device.
Further changes to the law include the restrictions being lifted for drivers with ignition interlock devices to only be able to travel from work and school. As long as an ignition interlock device is installed in their vehicles, motorists with an OWI conviction can now travel anywhere in the state.
Iowa law has also removed the hard suspension period for most OWI convictions which previously prevented a person from obtaining a temporary restricted license for a certain period of time. Previously, a first-time offender would be required to wait 30 days before obtaining a temporary license if they had a breath test of .150 or more. Drivers who refused to take a test were also required to wait to receive a license for 90 days. This new law has eliminated these suspension periods except for cases where the driver is convicted of vehicular homicide by OWI or an OWI causing death.
These new changes to the law were implemented to simplify the restricted license process and encourage the installation of ignition interlock devices to keep the roads of Iowa a safer place.
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