§ 17C-5A-3a — Establishment of and participation in the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program
This text of West Virginia § 17C-5A-3a (Establishment of and participation in the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering West Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.
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(a) (1) The Division of Motor Vehicles shall control and regulate a Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program for persons whose licenses have been revoked pursuant to this article or the provisions of §17C-5-1et seq. of this code or have been convicted under §17C-5-2 of this code, or who are serving a term of a conditional probation pursuant to §17C-5-2b of this code.
(2) The program shall include the establishment of a user’s fee for persons participating in the program which shall be paid in advance and deposited into the Motor Vehicle Fees Fund created under the provisions of §17A-2-21 of this code.
(3) (A) Except where specified otherwise, the use of the term “program” in this section refers to the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program.
(B) The Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall propose legislative rules for promulgation in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1et seq. of this code for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this section. The rules shall also prescribe those requirements which, in addition to the requirements specified by this section for eligibility to participate in the program, the commissioner determines must be met to obtain the commissioner’s approval to operate a motor vehicle equipped with a motor vehicle alcohol and drug test and lock system.
(C) Nothing in this section may be construed to prohibit day report or community corrections programs authorized pursuant to §62-11C-1et seq. of this code, or a home confinement program authorized pursuant to §62-11B-1et seq. of this code, from being a provider of motor vehicle alcohol and drug test and lock systems for eligible participants as authorized by this section.
(4) For purposes of this section, a “motor vehicle alcohol and drug test and lock system” means a mechanical or computerized system which, in the opinion of the commissioner, prevents the operation of a motor vehicle when, through the system’s assessment of the blood alcohol or drug content of the person operating or attempting to operate the vehicle, the person is determined to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
(5) The fee for installation and removal of ignition interlock devices shall be waived for persons determined to be indigent by the Division of Motor Vehicles pursuant to §17C-5A-3 of this code. The commissioner shall establish by legislative rule, proposed pursuant to §29A-3-1et seq. of this code, procedures to be followed with regard to persons determined by the Division of Motor Vehicles to be indigent. The rule shall include, but is not limited to, promulgation of application forms, establishment of procedures for the review of applications, and the establishment of a mechanism for the payment of installations for eligible offenders.
(6) On or before January 15 of each year, the Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles shall report to the Legislature on:
(A) The total number of offenders participating in the program during the prior year;
(B) The total number of indigent offenders participating in the program during the prior year;
(C) The terms of any contracts with the providers of ignition interlock devices; and
(D) The total cost of the program to the state during the prior year.
(7) A person participating in the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program shall submit to drug testing in a manner and at intervals prescribed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall give due consideration to a lawfully prescribed medication taken in accordance with a valid prescription or order of a licensed medical practitioner who acted in the course of the practitioner’s professional practice and does not create an impairment to driving safely when considering a positive drug test result.
(b) (1) Any person whose license is revoked for the first time pursuant to this article or the provisions of §17C-5-1et seq. of this code is eligible to participate in the program when the person’s minimum revocation period, as specified by subsection (c) of this section, has expired and the person is enrolled in or has successfully completed the safety and treatment program or presents proof to the commissioner within 60 days of receiving approval to participate by the commissioner that he or she is enrolled in a safety and treatment program:Provided, That anyone whose license is revoked for the first time for driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or more, by weight, must participate in the program when the person’s minimum revocation period, as specified by subsection (c) of this section, has expired and the person is enrolled in or has successfully completed the safety and treatment Program or presents proof to the commissioner within 60 days of receiving approval to participate by the commissioner that he or she is enrolled in a safety and treatment program.
(2) Any person whose license has been suspended for driving a motor vehicle while under the age of 21 years with an alcohol concentration in his or her blood 0.02 percent or more, by weight, but less than 0.08 percent, by weight, is eligible to participate in the program after 30 days have elapsed from the date of the initial suspension, during which time the suspension was actually in effect:Provided, That in the case of a person under the age of 18, the person is eligible to participate in the program after 30 days have elapsed from the date of the initial suspension, during which time the suspension was actually in effect or after the person’s 18th birthday, whichever is later. Before the commissioner approves a person to operate a motor vehicle equipped with a motor vehicle alcohol and drug test and lock system, the person must agree to comply with the following conditions:
(A) If not already enrolled, the person shall enroll in and complete the educational program provided in §17C-5A-3(d) of this code at the earliest time that placement in the educational program is available, unless good cause is demonstrated to the commissioner as to why placement should be postponed;
(B) The person shall pay all costs of the educational program, any administrative costs, and all costs assessed for any suspension hearing; and
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, a person eligible to participate in the program under this subsection may not operate a motor vehicle unless approved to do so by the commissioner.
(c) A person who participates in the program under subdivision (1), subsection (b) of this section is subject to a minimum revocation period and minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device as follows:
(1) For a person whose license has been revoked for a first offense for six months for driving under the influence of alcohol, or a combination of alcohol and any controlled substance or other drug, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent, by weight, but less 0.15 percent, by weight, the minimum period of revocation for participation in the test and lock program is 15 days and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is 125 days;
(2) For a person whose license has been revoked for a first offense for refusing a secondary chemical test, the minimum period of revocation for participation in the test and lock program is 45 days and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is one year;
(3) For a person whose license has been revoked for a first offense for driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 percent or more, by weight, the minimum period of revocation for participation in the test and lock program is 45 days and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is 270 days;
(4) For a person whose license has been revoked for a first offense for driving under the influence of alcohol, or a combination of alcohol and any controlled substance or other drug, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, by weight, or did drive a motor vehicle while under the age of 21 years with an alcohol concentration in his or her blood of 0.02 percent or more, by weight, but less than 0.08 percent, by weight, and while driving does any act forbidden by law or fails to perform any duty imposed by law, which act or failure proximately causes the death of any person within one year next following the act or failure, and commits the act or failure in reckless disregard of the safety of others and when the influence of alcohol, controlled substances or drugs is shown to be a contributing cause to the death, the minimum period of revocation before the person is eligible for participation in the test and lock program is 12 months and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is two years;
(5) For a person whose license has been revoked for a first offense for driving under the influence of alcohol, or a combination of alcohol and any controlled substance or other drug, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, by weight, and while driving does any act forbidden by law or fails to perform any duty imposed by law in the driving of the vehicle, which act or failure proximately causes the death of any person within one year next following the act or failure, the minimum period of revocation is six months and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is two years;
(6) For a person whose license has been revoked for a first offense for driving under the influence of alcohol, or a combination of alcohol and any controlled substance or other drug, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, by weight, and while driving does any act forbidden by law or fails to perform any duty imposed by law in the driving of the vehicle, which act or failure proximately causes bodily injury to any person other than himself or herself, the minimum period of revocation for participation in the program is two months and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is one year;
(7) For a person whose license has been revoked for a first offense for driving under the influence of alcohol, or a combination of alcohol and any controlled substance or other drug, or with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, by weight, and while driving has on or within the motor vehicle one or more other persons who are unemancipated minors who have not reached their 16th birthday, the minimum period of revocation for participation in the program is two months and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is 10 months.
(d) Notwithstanding any provision of the code to the contrary, a person shall participate in the program if the person is convicted under §17C-5-2 of this code or the person’s license is revoked under §17C-5A-2 or §17C-5-7 of this code and the person was previously either convicted or his or her license was revoked under any provision cited in this subsection within the past 10 years. The minimum revocation period for a person required to participate in the program under this subsection is one year and the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device is two years, except that the minimum revocation period for a person required to participate because of a violation for driving while under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent, or more, by weight, but less than 0.08 percent, or more, by weight, is two months and the minimum period of participation is one year. The division shall add an additional two months to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device if the offense was committed while a minor was in the vehicle. The division shall add an additional six months to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device if a person other than the driver received injuries. The division shall add an additional two years to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device if a person other than the driver is injured and the injuries result in that person’s death. The division shall add one year to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device for each additional previous conviction or revocation within the past 10 years. Any person required to participate under this subsection must have an ignition interlock device installed on every vehicle he or she owns or operates.
(e)(1) If a person applies for and is accepted into the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program prior to the effective date of the revocation for an offense involving alcohol, the commissioner shall defer the revocation period of such person under the provisions of this section. Such deferral shall continue throughout the applicable minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device plus an additional period equal to the applicable minimum revocation period. If a person successfully completes all terms of the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program for a period equal to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, plus any applicable minimum revocation period, the commissioner shall waive the revocation period.
(2) If a person applies for and is accepted into the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program prior to the effective date of the revocation for an offense solely involving drugs, the commissioner may defer the revocation period of such person under the provisions of this section. Such deferral shall continue throughout the applicable minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device plus an additional period equal to the applicable minimum revocation period. If a person successfully completes all terms of the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program for a period equal to the minimum period for the use of the ignition interlock device pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, plus any applicable minimum revocation period, the commissioner shall waive the revocation period.
(f) The Division of Motor Vehicles may reduce any revocation period required of a person with a second or subsequent offense for driving under the influence of drugs to a minimum of one year and thereafter issue a restricted license on the conditions that the person is in the treatment and job program prescribed in §61-11-26a of this code, has satisfactorily performed in the treatment component of the program and that the person submits to two years of monthly drug testing. If the person is otherwise required to participate in the Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program for another offense, he or she may do so while meeting the conditions described in this subsection. If the person fails to submit to a drug test or submits to a test that reveals the presence of controlled substances or drugs, then the full revocation period is reinstated, and the person is only credited with revocation time actually served prior to receiving restricted privileges. The Commissioner of the Division of Motor Vehicles is hereby authorized to promulgate emergency rules to implement the provisions of this article.
(g) An applicant for the test and lock program convicted of any violation of §17B-4-3 of this code for driving while the applicant’s driver’s license was suspended or revoked within the six-month period preceding the date of application for admission to the test and lock program may still participate in the program by serving the revocation or suspension required by §17B-4-3 of this code as additional participation time in the program.
(h) Upon permitting an eligible person to participate in the program, the commissioner shall issue to the person, and the person is required to exhibit on demand, a driver’s license which shall reflect that the person is restricted to the operation of a motor vehicle which is equipped with an approved motor vehicle alcohol and drug test and lock system.
(i) The commissioner may extend the minimum period of revocation and the minimum period of participation in the program for a person who violates the terms and conditions of participation in the program as found in this section, or legislative rule, or any agreement or contract between the participant and the division or program service provider. If the commissioner finds that any person participating in the program pursuant to §17C-5-2b of this code must be removed therefrom for violation(s) of the terms and conditions thereof, he or she shall notify the person, the court that imposed the term of participation in the program, and the prosecuting attorney in the county wherein the order imposing participation in the program was entered.
(j) A person whose license has been suspended for a first offense of driving while under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.02 percent, or more, by weight, but less than 0.08 percent, or more, by weight, who has completed the educational program and who has not violated the terms required by the commissioner of the person’s participation in the program is entitled to the reinstatement of his or her driver’s license six months from the date the person is permitted to operate a motor vehicle by the commissioner. When a license has been reinstated pursuant to this subsection, the records ordering the suspension, records of any administrative hearing, records of any blood alcohol test results, and all other records pertaining to the suspension shall be expunged by operation of law:Provided, That a person is entitled to expungement under the provisions of this subsection only once. The expungement shall be accomplished by physically marking the records to show that the records have been expunged and by securely sealing and filing the records. Expungement has the legal effect as if the suspension never occurred. The records may not be disclosed or made available for inspection and in response to a request for record information, the commissioner shall reply that no information is available. Information from the file may be used by the commissioner for research and statistical purposes so long as the use of the information does not divulge the identity of the person.
(k) In addition to any other penalty imposed by this code, any person who operates a motor vehicle not equipped with an approved motor vehicle alcohol and drug test and lock system during that person’s participation in the Motor Vehicle Alcohol and Drug Test and Lock Program is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail for a period not less than one month nor more than six months and fined not less than $100 nor more than $500. Any person who attempts to bypass the alcohol and drug test and lock system is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be confined in jail not more than six months and fined not less than $100 nor more than $1,000:Provided, That notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, a person enrolled and participating in the test and lock program may operate a motor vehicle solely at his or her job site if the operation is a condition of his or her employment. For the purpose of this section, “job site” does not include any street or highway open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic.
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West Virginia § 17C-5A-3a, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/statute/wv/17C/17C-5A-3a.