S.C. Code § 56-5-2941 [Effective 5/19/2024] Ignition Interlock Device

• Library: South Carolina Statutes
• Edition: 2023
• Currency: Current through 2023 Act No. 102.
• Year: 2023
• Citation: S.C. Code § 56-5-2941

(A) The Department of Motor Vehicles shall require a person who is a resident of this State and who is convicted of violating the provisions of Sections 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, <codecitation statecd="SC" sessionyear="2020" datatype="S" title="56" catchline="Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; "great bodily injury" defined">56-5-2945</codecitation>, 56-5-2947 except if the conviction was for Section 56-5-750, or a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, to have installed on any motor vehicle the person drives, except a moped, an ignition interlock device designed to prevent driving of the motor vehicle if the person has consumed alcoholic beverages. This section does not apply to a person convicted of a first offense violation of Section 56-5-2930 or 56-5-2933, unless the person submitted to a breath test pursuant to Section 56-5-2950 and had an alcohol concentration of fifteen one-hundredths of one percent or more. The department may waive the requirements of this section if the department determines that the person has a medical condition that makes the person incapable of properly operating the installed device. If the department grants a medical waiver, the department shall suspend the person's driver's license for the length of time that the person would have been required to hold an ignition interlock restricted license. The department may withdraw the waiver at any time that the department becomes aware that the person's medical condition has improved to the extent that the person has become capable of properly operating an installed device. The department also shall require a person who has enrolled in the Ignition Interlock Device Program in lieu of the remainder of a driver's license suspension or denial of the issuance of a driver's license or permit to have an ignition interlock device installed on any motor vehicle the person drives, except a moped.

The length of time that a device is required to be affixed to a motor vehicle as set forth in Sections 56-1-286, <codecitation statecd="SC" sessionyear="2020" datatype="S" title="56" catchline="Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; "great bodily injury" defined">56-5-2945</codecitation>, 56-5-2947 except if the conviction was for Sections 56-5-750, 56-5-2951, and 56-5-2990.</para></subsect>

(B) Notwithstanding the pleadings, for purposes of a second or a subsequent offense, the specified length of time that a device is required to be affixed to a motor vehicle is based on the Department of Motor Vehicle's records for offenses pursuant to Section 56-1-286, 56-5-2930, 56-5-2933, <codecitation statecd="SC" sessionyear="2020" datatype="S" title="56" catchline="Offense of felony driving under the influence; penalties; "great bodily injury" defined">56-5-2945</codecitation>, 56-5-2947 except if the conviction was for Section 56-5-750, 56-5-2950, or 56-5-2951.</subsect>

(C) If a resident of this State is convicted of violating a law of another state that prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and, as a result of the conviction, the person is subject to an ignition interlock device requirement in the other state, the person is subject to the requirements of this section for the length of time that would have been required for an offense committed in South Carolina, or for the length of time that is required by the other state, whichever is longer.

(D) If a person from another state becomes a resident of South Carolina while subject to an ignition interlock device requirement in another state, the person only may obtain a South Carolina driver's license if the person enrolls in the South Carolina Ignition Interlock Device Program pursuant to this section. The person is subject to the requirements of this section for the length of time that would have been required for an offense committed in South Carolina, or for the length of time that is required by the other state, whichever is longer.

(E) The person must be subject to an Ignition Interlock Device Point System managed by the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services. A person accumulating a total of:

(1) two points or more, but less than three points, must have the length of time that the device is required extended by two months;

(2) three points or more, but less than four points, must have the length of time that the device is required extended by four months, shall submit to a substance abuse assessment pursuant to Section 56-5-2990, and shall successfully complete the plan of education and treatment, or both, as recommended by the certified substance abuse program. Should the person not complete the recommended plan, or not make progress toward completing the plan, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall suspend the person's ignition interlock restricted license until the plan is completed or progress is being made toward completing the plan;

(3) four points or more must have the person's ignition interlock restricted license suspended for a period of six months, shall submit to a substance abuse assessment pursuant to Section 56-5-2990, and successfully shall complete the plan of education and treatment, or both, as recommended by the certified substance abuse program. Should the person not complete the recommended plan or not make progress toward completing the plan, the Department of Motor Vehicles shall leave the person's ignition interlock restricted license in suspended status, or, if the license has already been reinstated following the six-month suspension, shall resuspend the person's ignition interlock restricted license until the plan is completed or progress is being made toward completing the plan. The Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services is responsible for notifying the Department of Motor Vehicles of a person's completion and compliance with education and treatment programs. Upon reinstatement of driving privileges following the six-month suspension, the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services shall reset the person's point total to zero points, and the person shall complete the remaining period of time on the ignition interlock device.