Driving under the influence is never smart. After all, if your blood alcohol concentration is above Oklahoma’s 0.08% legal limit, you are at risk of a DUI arrest. In addition to potentially stiff legal penalties for violating state law, you also face a variety of other consequences. Thanks to a new law, though, losing your driving privileges may not be one of them.
If an officer arrests you for suspected drunk driving, you have the option to enroll in Oklahoma’s Impaired Driver Accountability Program. This program provides individuals with an incentive for installing an ignition interlock device on their vehicles. If you worry about losing your driver’s license after a DUI arrest, you should understand how the IDAP program works.
IDAP interlock devices
According to estimates from the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, interlock devices prevented more than 50,000 vehicle starts over a recent five-year period. In simple terms, ignition interlocks are small mechanical devices that disrupt a car’s startup procedure. That is, before you can start the vehicle, you must provide a breath sample. If the device detects the presence of alcohol, your vehicle’s engine will not turn over.
IDAP benefits
Oklahoma’s IDAP is a diversionary program that aims to minimize the consequences of a DUI arrest. If you enroll in the program and install an interlock device on your vehicle, you can expect the following benefits:
- No suspension or revocation of your driver’s license
- No reinstatement fee after the interlock period lapses
- No DUI on your DPS record except for possible future drunk driving enhancements
IDAP admission
Not everyone is eligible for IDAP. Specifically, if you have a commercial driver’s license, you cannot participate in the program. Nonetheless, you must apply for admission to the IDAP within 30 days of your Notice of Revocation, which may or may not coincide with your arrest date.
Your driving privileges are important for getting to work and other necessary places. While a DUI arrest is apt to complicate your life, you may not have to worry about losing your driver’s license. Still, before enrolling in the IDAP program, you should be sure you can comply with its requirements.