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Melanie’s Law, G. L. c. 90, § 24 1/2 requires all repeat DUI offenders who are applying for a new Massachusetts Driver’s License or reinstatement from DUI suspensions after January 1, 2006, to install an ignition interlock device in every vehicle which the repeat offender owns, leases, or operates for a minimum of 2 years.
The RMV imposes very harsh suspension penalties for Ignition Interlock Device (IID) violations such as failed rolling re-tests, failed start tests, missed service visits, tampering, circumvention, and operating without the IID.
There are several reasons why an Ignition Interlock Device Program participant may decide to have an IID removed from his or her vehicle. All IID removals must be approved by a Registry Hearing Officer. It is a violation of the IID program to remove an IID without the Registry’s authorization and the unauthorized removal of an ignition interlock device will result in an indefinite complaint regulatory or an indefinite immediate threat suspension.
Sometimes a person with an IID-restricted license may want to switch IID vendors or he might want to have the IID removed from one vehicle and installed into another vehicle. If a program participant has his or her license suspended due to an ignition interlock violation, he or she might want to have the device removed until the suspension is served or terminated by the Board of Appeal.
Anytime the Registry authorizes the removal of an Interlock Device while the customer still has the IID restriction on his or her license, the RMV will automatically impose an indefinite Interlock Early Withdrawal Suspension. This is an automatic non-punitive suspension. It doesn’t mean that you did anything wrong or committed any violation. IID early withdrawal suspensions are automatic and the only purpose is to ensure that someone who has the IID restriction on his or her license doesn’t drive a vehicle that doesn’t have an IID installed.
Once you have the IID re-installed, you will be able to reinstate from the Interlock Early Withdrawal Suspension upon payment of a $100.00 reinstatement fee and proof that the IID was re-installed.
The Registry uses these indefinite IID early withdrawal suspensions just to make sure that a customer who has the IID restriction on his or her license does not have an active license once the Registry authorizes the removal of the ignition interlock device.