Your Employer and Your Michigan Ignition Interlock

Getting arrested for drunk driving can usher in a wave of discomfort. Not only might you spend some time behind bars, but you will have large fines to pay, court dates to attend, and a criminal record that will follow you around for a really long time. Plus, driving drunk doesn’t only increase your likelihood of getting arrested; it also increases your likelihood of taking someone’s life and losing your own. In Michigan, the consequences for driving while intoxicated can be far-reaching, even affecting your job or job search.

One of the potential consequences of driving while intoxicated (DWI) in Michigan is that you will be ordered to use an ignition interlock device (IID). An ignition interlock device helps you maintain your employment by allowing you to drive to and from work, while it also ensures you are sober while driving. In Michigan, you are not required to install an IID on an employer-owned vehicle, although your employer will be notified of your situation. Normally, the law requires that an IID is installed on any vehicle you own or intend to drive. Since this can be an issue for employers with a fleet of vehicles, employers are not required to meet the conditions of your IID mandate.

Of course, if you are self-employed, this does not come into play. Self-employed people need to follow the ignition interlock requirement and have the device installed on all vehicles they operate; vehicles used for business and personal purposes must have an ignition interlock device installed.

While IIDs are considered a hassle topic by some people, the point of the devices is to keep convicted drunk drivers from repeating a dangerous mistake. If you have been convicted of driving while intoxicated in Michigan, it is ultimately your responsibility to remain sober behind the wheel of any car you drive. The choice is yours, but with the risks involved, your choice to drive sober should be clear.