The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only, may not reflect the most current developments, is not intended to and should not be relied upon or construed as a legal opinion or legal advice or to address all circumstances that might arise. See full disclaimer.
When Do I Need an Ignition Interlock in North Carolina?
You may need an Ignition Interlock in North Carolina if you are convicted or arrested for DWI. Below are different cases where an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is mandatory in North Carolina. When you need to choose an Ignition Interlock vendor to fulfill your requirements, Smart Start can help with a reliable device, and get you back on the road.
* Elapsed time starts from date of conviction. The law may impose other requirements such as a substance abuse assessment and treatment or education, valid automobile insurance, payment of fees, etc.
** The DMV may impose an IID as a requirement for the conditionally restored driver’s license for up to 5 years under G.S. § 20-19(e3). However, G.S. § 20-17.8 may control. When G.S. § 20-17.8 applies, if you had a BAC of 0.15 or more, an IID is required for 3 years when the revocation period was originally 4 years. When G.S. § 20-17.8 applies, if the driver had a prior conviction within 7 years and the original revocation was permanent, then the IID is required for 7 years. See G.S. § 20-17.8(c).
If you have any questions about your Ignition Interlock program, Smart Start is here to help. Our Customer Care Center stands by 24/7/365 for our clients. Just call (800) 831-3299 and a Customer Care agent will assist you.
| Record | License Revocation | When Smart Start Can Help | Ignition Interlock Requirement | |
| First DWI Conviction (No prior conviction within 7 years of the most recent DWI offense date) | First DWI conviction and a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 or more | 1 year | When eligible, after 45 days from your date of conviction, you may obtain a Limited Driving Privilege (LDP). If you have an IID in your vehicle, OR at the end of one year, you become immediately eligible for a license with an IID | 1 year. For the use of an IID with an LDP, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will issue you a credit toward 1 year |
| 1 Prior Conviction (Within 7 years of your most recent DWI offense date) | 1 prior conviction that occurred within 3 years | 4 years | With an IID, no conviction for a motor vehicle offense, and 12 months’ abstaining from alcohol, you can apply for a conditional restored license after 2 years have elapsed from date of conviction | 3 years** |
| 1 prior conviction that occurred more than 3 years earlier, and within 7 years of your most recent DWI offense date | 1 year – You won’t be eligible for an LDP | After 1 year from date of conviction, you receive immediate eligibility for a license with an IID | 1 year | |
| 2 Prior Convictions (Within 7 years of the most recent DWI offense date) | If on the date you were charged with your most recent DWI charge, you had 2 prior convictions that occurred within 5 years | Revocation is permanent | With no other violations, and if you successfully used Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) for 120 days without alcohol use, then you can apply for a restored license with IID conditions in 3 years If you successfully used CAM for 1 year without alcohol use, then you can apply for a restored license with IID conditions in 2 years | 7 years** |
| If on the date you were charged with your most recent DWI charge, you had 2 prior convictions that occurred within 7 years, but do not have (1) conviction within 3 years OR (2) within 5 years | 1 year – You won’t be eligible for an LDP | After 1 year, you’ll be immediately eligible for a license with an IID | 1 year | |
| DWI convictions and punished under N.C.G.S. § 20-179 (f3) (Laura’s Law) | Punished for DWI at aggravated level (1) | Permanent revocation | With no other violations and if you successfully use Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) for 120 days without alcohol use, then you can apply for a restored license with IID conditions in 3 years If you successfully use CAM for 1 year without alcohol use, then you can apply for a restored license with IID conditions in 2 years | 5-7 years** |
| Felony DWI | 3 or more convictions within 10 years of most recent DWI charge | Permanent revocation | With an IID, no conviction for a motor vehicle offense for 10 years, and not an excessive user of alcohol, you can apply for a conditionally restored license after 10 years has elapsed* | 5-7 years** |
| Vehicular homicide </strong >conviction based upon DWI | Convicted of DWI in a crash that caused the death of another | Permanent revocation | With an IID, no conviction for a motor vehicle offense for 5 years, and not an excessive user of alcohol or drugs, you can apply for a conditionally restored license after 5 years has elapsed* | 5-7 years** |
| Felony with serious injury | Serious injury caused in a crash and driver was DWI | 4 years | With an IID, no conviction for a motor vehicle offense, and 12 months’ abstaining from alcohol, you can apply for a conditional restored license after 2 years has elapsed* | 2-3 years** |
| Felony with aggravated serious injury | Felony aggravated serious injury is serious injury caused by an impaired driver and the driver had a prior conviction within 7 years | Permanent revocation | With no other violations, and if you successfully use Continuous Alcohol Monitoring (CAM) for 120 days without alcohol use, then you can apply for a restored license with IID conditions in 3 years If you successfully use CAM for 1 year without alcohol use, then you can apply for a restored license with IID conditions in 2 years | 7 years** |
Need an Ignition Interlock in North Carolina?
Smart Start can help you get back on the road quickly. We provide an affordable program, a reliable, 24/7/365 customer service team and an easy-to-use Ignition Interlock. Make sure to ask about any current state specials or discounts! Schedule an appointment with North Carolina’s Ignition Interlock of choice today at (800) 831-3299 or fill out our short online form.Schedule an Installation
Get a quick and easy IID installation with Smart Start! Get started today!
¡Obtenga una instalación rápida y fácil de IID con Smart Start! ¡Empieza hoy mismo!
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Disclaimer
The information in this blog is for general informational purposes only. Information may be dated and may not reflect the most current developments. The materials contained herein are not intended to and should not be relied upon or construed as a legal opinion or legal advice or to address all circumstances that might arise. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular legal matter. Only your individual attorney can provide assurances that the information contained herein – and your interpretation of it – is applicable or appropriate to your particular situation. Links to any third-party websites herein are provided for your reference and convenience only; Smart Start does not recommend or endorse such third party sites or their accuracy or reliability. Smart Start expressly disclaims all liability regarding all content, materials, and information, and with respect to actions taken or not taken in reliance on such. The content is provided “as is;” no representations are made that the content is error-free.
