In Fort Collins, Loveland and across Larimer County, when a person is convicted of a DUI (Driving Under the Influence), there is automatically a driver’s license revocation. Luckily, there is a provision of the law that allows you to still drive with an interlock-restricted license. This way you are not left with trying to figure out public transportation, rides with friends and family, and Ubering around the state for an extended period of time. With the interlock-restricted license, the person is required to have an interlock device installed in their car, where they must blow into the device to confirm that there is no alcohol in their system in order to start the vehicle and then do random blows throughout the time the vehicle is running. This system also takes a picture of the person doing the blow to verify that you are not having a passenger or someone else take the test for you. Previously, for a DUI, a person would be required to wait out a 30-day suspension before they could apply for the interlock-restricted license. Recently, that law has changed for the better. Now, there is no month-long suspension. As soon as your license is revoked, you can apply for the interlock-restricted license.
Interlock-Restricted License in Larimer County, Colorado
The new rules for this suspension can be found under C.R.S. 42-2-132.5(4) – Persons Who May Acquire an Interlock-Restricted License Prior to Serving a Full-Term Revocation
(II)(A) First-time offender eligibility. For revocations for convictions for DUI or DUI per se pursuant to section 42-2-125 (1)(b.5) or for excess BAC 0.08 pursuant to section 42-2-126 (3)(a)(I) for a first violation that requires only a nine-month revocation, a person twenty-one years of age or older at the time of the offense may apply for an early reinstatement with an interlock-restricted license pursuant to this section at any time.
So, for a first offense DUI, DUI per se, or DUI with BAC of .20 or greater, conviction, your driver’s license will be suspended for 9 months. You used to have to go 30 days with NO DRIVING before you could get an interlock installed and apply for the interlock license. That is not the case anymore. Same with a second offense DUI, DUI per se, or DUI with BAC of .20 or greater, where the license suspension is one year. You no longer have to wait the 30 days to apply for the interlock license. However, there are some exceptions. If you refused to take a blood or breath test (express consent), then you have to wait for 60 days before you can apply. Also, if you are under 21 when you get your DUI conviction, you must wait for one year before you can apply for reinstatement.
If you or someone you love has been charged with DUI or DWAI, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. We also practice in Greeley and Weld County. Click HERE to visit our Weld County website. Together, we can protect your future.
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