A new Maryland law has been enacted mandating the ignition interlock for anyone who is convicted or receives probation before judgment for a driving under the influence or driving while impaired charge. A first time offender will be required to have the interlock for at least six months. A second time offender must have it installed for at least a year. An individual with three offenses must have it installed for at least three years.

This is a significant change in the law. Under the prior law, an individual who received probation before judgment would not have to install the interlock. The judge could order it in his or her discretion or the person could elect the interlock to avoid an MVA suspension.

The new law will take effect October 1, 2024, and is codified in Section 16-404.1 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Anyone who fails to comply will face a suspension of their driver's license and potentially a violation of probation which could result in incarceration and/or the reinstatement of a conviction.