If you are convicted of DWI in New York and sentenced to have an Ignition Interlock Device placed in your car, you could have a great deal of trouble if you need to drive a work vehicle for your job. Fortunately, there is an exemption in New York that allows you to drive a work vehicle without an Ignition Interlock Device so long as it is driven for business purposes only, and so long as you take some steps before you drive it. This exemption only applies to convictions in New York State Courts.
Pursuant to NYS Vehicle and Traffic Law 1198(8), and Article 9 NYCRR Section 358.7 (c) (5) ...
Prior to an operator legally driving an employer’s vehicle within the scope of his or her employment, the operator must provide satisfactory proof to the monitor that the employer has been notified of the operator’s driving privilege is restricted and necessitates installation and maintenance of a functioning ignition interlock device and such employer grants permission for the operator to drive the employer’s vehicle without the device only for business purposes. Such exemption for business purposes shall not apply to any vehicle owned by a business entity all or partly owned or controlled by the operator.
To make use of this exemption, your lawyer will help you draft a letter that needs to be printed on your employer's letterhead and signed by a person with authority from your employer to make these decisions. The letter will look something like this:
