Illinois BAIID Program: Driving Privileges during Suspension

 Posted on January 30,2015 in Criminal Law

The cost of a DUI arrest often begins even before the first court date for the criminal charge. If a person fails sobriety testing or refuses to submit to testing during an arrest, there is an automatic suspension of driving privileges. A first-time offender who has failed chemical testing faces a six-month suspension and a refusal to submit to testing results in an automatic 12-month driving suspension. Either of these can cause serious hardship for those who rely on driving as their transportation to and from work and other daily activities.

First-time DUI offenders in Illinois who are eligible for a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) can opt to register for a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID). If approved, the BAIID is installed and monitored by the Secretary of State’s office and will provide temporary driving relief during the suspended period.

By acquiring both a MDDP and BAIID, the registrant is allowed to drive at any time as long as it is in the vehicle with the installed equipment. Participants in the program are subject to average monthly fees of over one hundred dollars made payable to both the BAIID vendor and the Secretary of State’s Office. The following list of vendors are certified by the state of Illinois:

• 1A Smart Start;
• Intoxalock;
• CAM Systems;
• Alcohol Detection Systems;
• AlcoTest, Inc.;
• Guardian Interlock Systems; and
• LifeSafer of Illinois.

If a person chooses not to participate in the Illinois BAIID program and is caught driving during the time of suspension, this action results in a Class 4 felony, which can lead to penalties including time in prison, community service, and thousands of dollars in fines.

If you have been charged with a DUI, it is important to talk with an attorney as soon as possible to understand your legal rights and meet hearing deadlines. An administrative hearing regarding driving privileges is separate from the assigned court date for the DUI offense and must be requested within 90 days after the suspension notice date.

Driving relief is not available to DUI offenders who have been charged more than once and suspension time is increased. If you have been arrested for drunk driving in Illinois, contact an experienced Arlington Heights DUI defense attorney today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.