2007 Minnesota Statutes

171.305 IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE.
    Subdivision 1. Definition. "Ignition interlock device" or "device" means breath alcohol
ignition equipment designed to prevent a motor vehicle's ignition from being started by a person
whose alcohol concentration exceeds the calibrated setting on the device.
    Subd. 2.[Expired]
    Subd. 3. Performance standards. The commissioner shall specify performance standards
for ignition interlock devices, including standards relating to accuracy, safe operation of the
vehicle, and degree of difficulty rendering the device inoperative. The interlock ignition device
must be designed to operate from a 12-volt DC vehicle battery and be capable of locking a motor
vehicle's ignition when a minimum alcohol concentration of 0.020 grams of ethyl alcohol per
210 liters of breath is introduced into the device. The device must also require a breath sample
to determine alcohol concentration at variable time intervals ranging from five to 30 minutes
while the engine is running. The device must also be capable of recording information for later
review that includes the date and time of any use of the vehicle or any attempt to use the vehicle,
including all times that the vehicle engine was started or stopped and the alcohol concentration of
each breath sample provided.
    Subd. 4. Certification. The commissioner shall certify ignition interlock devices that
meet the performance standards and may charge the manufacturer of the ignition interlock
device a certification fee. A manufacturer who submits a device for certification must provide an
application for certification on a form prescribed by the department.
    Subd. 5. Issuance of limited license. The commissioner may issue a limited license to a
person whose driver's license has been canceled and denied due to an alcohol or controlled
substance-related incident under section 171.04, subdivision 1, clause (10), under the following
conditions:
(1) at least one-half of the person's required abstinence period has expired;
(2) the person has successfully completed chemical dependency treatment and is currently
participating in a generally recognized support group based on ongoing abstinence; and
(3) the person agrees to drive only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning and certified
ignition interlock device.
    Subd. 6. Monitoring. The ignition interlock device must be monitored for proper use and
accuracy by an entity approved by the commissioner.
    Subd. 7. Payment. The commissioner shall require that the person issued a limited license
under subdivision 5 pay all costs associated with use of the device.
    Subd. 8. Proof of installation. A person approved for a limited license must provide proof
of installation prior to issuance of the limited license.
    Subd. 9. Misdemeanor. (a) A person who knowingly lends, rents, or leases a motor vehicle
that is not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device to a person with a limited license
issued under subdivision 5 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) A person who tampers with, circumvents, or bypasses the ignition interlock device, or
assists another to tamper with, circumvent, or bypass the device, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(c) The penalties of this subdivision do not apply if the action was taken for emergency
purposes or for mechanical repair, and the person limited to the use of an ignition interlock device
does not operate the motor vehicle while the device is disengaged.
    Subd. 10. Cancellation of limited license. The commissioner shall cancel a limited license
issued under this section if the device registers a positive reading for use of alcohol or the person
violates any conditions of the limited license.
    Subd. 11. Program standards. The program standards applicable to section 171.306 also
apply to this section.
History: 1991 c 270 s 6; 1992 c 570 art 1 s 24; 1993 c 347 s 19; 1997 c 12 art 3 s 10; 1999 c
238 art 2 s 91; 2000 c 478 art 2 s 1; 2007 c 54 art 3 s 4