Alcohol and drugs
A court convicts a driver of DWI in New York. For at least how long must the court order an ignition interlock on any vehicle the driver owns or operates?
- At least 12 months. Correct answer
- At least six months.
- At least five years.
Why
An ignition interlock is a breath tester wired into the ignition: the vehicle will not start until the driver gives an acceptable breath sample, and the driver pays for the device and its installation. Courts must order one for everyone convicted of DWI or aggravated DWI, on any vehicle the driver owns or operates, for at least 12 months. Six months appears in the same paragraph, but as an exception: the court may waive the rest of the 12 months if the driver shows the device has been installed for at least six, unless the court has ordered a longer period. Five years belongs to a different rule, the interlock DMV requires on some repeat offenders who get a restricted license back after a long wait. After a DWI conviction, the breath sample before every start is part of driving for at least a year.
Where this comes from
New York State Driver's Manual (MV-21), April 2026 version. The correct answer is At least 12 months.
More on alcohol and drugs
- A driver under 21 shows a driver license as proof of age to buy beer illegally. What does state law require?
- A driver whose license is revoked is arrested for driving, and a test shows the driver is intoxicated. What is the maximum mandatory fine the driver faces?
- A chemical test shows that a driver has a BAC of .06 percent. Under New York law, what is that result legal evidence of?
- Starting at what blood alcohol content does New York treat a test result as evidence of aggravated driving while intoxicated (Agg-DWI)?