House Bill 1695, effective August 28, 2010, changes the laws regarding repeat alcohol offenders and drivers with high blood-alcohol levels, including the laws that affect a person's driving privilege. Among other changes, the new law:

  • Creates a centralized reporting database to track all driving-while-impaired offenses, from arrest to disposition;
  • Prevents municipal courts from hearing an intoxication-related case if the offender has two or more “intoxicated-related” offenses, or two or more “alcohol-related” offenses;
  • Establishes DWI courts to facilitate treatment for repeat offenders and drivers with high blood-alcohol levels;
  • Establishes criteria for qualifying participants and graduates of a DWI court program to obtain a court-ordered limited driving privilege;
  • Prohibits a first alcohol-related driving offense from being expunged from a person’s record if the person has another alcohol-related contact on record, or another alcohol-related action pending.

Questions

Yes. Section 302.309.3(9) now allows a DWI Court to grant a limited driving privilege to a participant or graduate of the program who may otherwise be ineligible for limited driving privilege. If you are granted a limited driving privilege by the DWI Court, the Department of Revenue will update your driving record to show the limited driving privilege.

No. In a county in which there is a DWI court, you may receive an SIS so long as:

  • You are placed on probation for a minimum of two years; and
  • You successfully complete the DWI court or court-ordered treatment program.

The program will combine judicial supervision, drug testing, continuous alcohol monitoring, substance abuse traffic offender program compliance, and treatment.

A DWI Court may assess you with any and all necessary costs of your participation.

You must complete a minimum of 45 days of participation in the program and be approved by the DWI Court.

Yes. You are required to maintain an SR-22 insurance filing for the duration of your limited driving privilege.

No. The new law prohibits the Department of Revenue from expunging the alcohol-related driving offense from your record because you have another alcohol-related offense pending.