Fifth Judicial District Ignition Interlock Program

Overview

Ignition Interlock Program Background

In 2013, The Fifth Judicial District (FJD) has received a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to pilot an Integrated Judicial and Administrative Ignition Interlock Program that coordinates with the current state administered program.  First-time Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) offenders with an alcohol concentration level of 0.16 or above and all repeat offenders are required to install an ignition interlock device for a minimum of one year – or not drive.

An Ignition Interlock Device (IID) won’t allow the vehicle to be started if it detects alcohol on your breath.  The device may also require additional “rolling retests” while the vehicle is being driven.  There are costs of installing, leasing, calibrating and removing an IID.

Share information about this program by printing out our brochure.

The first step to installing Ignition Interlock is applying to Minnesota's Driver & Vehicle Services. This must be completed in order to install Ignition Interlock in your vehicle.

If you cannot afford Ignition Interlock, assistance is available for those who have residency in, or have a criminal case (resulting in the need for Ignition Interlock) that originated in, Minnesota's Fifth Judicial District. You may complete an application for assistance through the Fifth Judicial District.

Once you are approved for installation and you have spoken with the Ignition Interlock Program Coordinator at (507) 338-2181 to make sure that funding is in place, you will be directed to contact IntoxaLock at (833) 210-8428 to schedule installation. 

The Fifth Judicial District has created checklists with links to required forms to help you in the process to apply to the State to install Ignition Interlock as well as to apply for assistance through the State and Fifth Judicial District:

• Revoked Status Checklist (PDF)
• Cancelled Status Checklist (PDF)

1.  First Alcohol Offense (Under 0.16 alcohol concentration):

• Option 1: An ignition interlock restricted license with full Class D driving privileges - 1 year
• Option 2: After a 15 day waiting period of no driving, a limited license will be issued allowing a person to drive to/from work, school, treatment, abstinence based support group meetings, court and probation meetings - up to 60 hours and 6 days per week
• Option 3: No driving for 90 days; 180 days if under age 21

2.  First Alcohol Offense (over 0.16 alcohol concentration or 1^st Alcohol Offense Test Refusal):

• Option 1: An ignition interlock restricted license with full Class D driving privileges – 1 year
• Option 2: No driving for revocation period of 1 year

3.  2nd Alcohol Offense in 10 years, or 3^rd Alcohol Offense on Record (Revoked status)  (Under 0.16 alcohol concentration):

• Option 1: An ignition interlock restricted license with full Class D driving privileges – 1 year
• Option 2: No driving for revocation period of 1 year

4.  2^nd Alcohol Offense in 10 years (over 0.16), 3^rd Alcohol Offense (over 0.16) or 2^nd Test Refusal 

• Option 1: An ignition interlock restricted license with full Class D driving privileges – 2 years
• Option 2: No driving for revocation period of 2 years

5.  License is Canceled and Denied as Inimical to Public Safety
A person whose driving privilege has been canceled and denied as inimical to public safety is required to enroll and complete the ignition interlock program in order to get their driving privilege back.  Time in the program is as follows:   

• 3rd Alcohol offense in 10 years or 4th on Record -3 years (1 year with limited license and 2 years with a restricted license)*
• 4^th Alcohol Offense in 10 years - 4 years (1 year with a limited license and 3 years with a restricted license)*
• 5^th or Subsequent Alcohol Offense - 6 years (1 year with a limited license and 5 years with a restricted license)*

* Time may be extended for violations

6.  What if I need to drive a vehicle for my job?
If you are self-employed you must install ignition interlock in your vehicle. 

If you drive an employer-owned vehicle complete the Employment Exemption for Ignition Interlock Form and send it with your ignition interlock application. 

For additional information please contact:
Jacqueline Murray 
Family Dependency Treatment Court Recovery Specialist/Ignition Interlock Coordinator
11 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 205
Mankato, MN  56001
Office: (507) 344-4943
Work Cell: (507) 338-2181
FAX: (507) 344-4959