The Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) allows eligible first-time DUI offenders in Illinois to retain driving privileges during suspension by installing a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID). At Joliet Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer, led by Jack L. Zaremba with over 20 years of legal experience, we assist clients in Joliet, Plainfield, Lockport, Romeoville, and surrounding Will County areas with MDDP applications, compliance, and defense against violations. If you’re facing a DUI suspension in Joliet, the MDDP can help maintain your mobility—our team handles the process to ensure you qualify and avoid violations. Contact us today for a free consultation and tailored guidance on MDDP in Will County.
What Is a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP) in Illinois?
Introduced in 2009, the MDDP replaced Judicial Driving Permits (JDPs) for drivers eligible for driving privileges during the statutory summary suspension period following a DUI arrest. It allows 24/7 driving with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installed in your vehicle. In Joliet and Will County, where DUI arrests are frequent on local roads like I-80 or Route 30, the MDDP helps preserve employment and daily routines. Our Joliet attorneys advise immediate contact after arrest to explore MDDP options and defend your case in Will County courts.
Eligibility for MDDP in Will County
To qualify for an MDDP in Joliet:
- You must be a first offender: No prior summary suspension, DUI conviction, or supervision within 5 years of the current DUI offense.
- Have a valid driver’s license (except for the current statutory summary suspension).
- The DUI arrest must not involve death or great bodily harm.
- No prior conviction for reckless homicide or aggravated DUI involving death.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
If your driving privileges are suspended, revoked, cancelled, or otherwise become invalid after MDDP issuance (e.g., due to other suspensions), the permit is canceled, and you must surrender it to the Secretary of State. In such cases, you may need to apply for a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP) through a Secretary of State hearing. Our Will County firm reviews your eligibility and prepares for alternatives if needed.
How Do I Apply for a MDDP in Joliet?
When you receive the confirmation of the summary suspension in the mail from the Illinois Secretary of State, it will include a notice describing the MDDP program with a tear-off section titled “MDDP Program Application” which you must return by mail or fax requesting issuance of the MDDP. If the Secretary of State does not receive this document back, it will send a follow-up reminder notice to you. If neither of these forms is returned to the Secretary of State the MDDP will not be issued. The MDDP is effective from the first day of the statutory summary suspension period. Our Joliet lawyers assist with timely submissions and ensure all paperwork is complete for Will County clients.
What Do I Do After the MDDP Is Issued in Will County?
Once the MDDP is issued, the Secretary of State will require that you pay a BAIID administration fee of $30 per month. You will be required to have the BAIID installed by one of the listed certified installation providers within 14 days of the issuance of the MDDP. Once installed, the BAIID provider will notify the Secretary of State of the installation. The Secretary of State will cancel the MDDP if the BAIID is not installed within the allotted time period. In Joliet, CDL holders cannot drive commercial vehicles on an MDDP. Our firm monitors compliance to prevent violations and supports transitions to full reinstatement in Will County.
What If I Do Not Want the MDDP in Joliet?
Under the law, if you do not want to use the MDDP, you are required to file a petition with the court and “opt-out”. The court is then required to advise you of the penalties for driving while suspended. You will then have to execute a written document declining the MDDP that is filed with the court and forwarded to the Secretary of State. However, in practice, the Secretary of State is not requiring that you follow this procedure. Instead, if you do not apply, the MDDP is simply not issued. No affirmative steps are required. You may also terminate participation in the MDDP program by giving written notification to the Secretary of State surrendering your permit. Likewise, you may obtain another MDDP during the period of the summary suspension by notifying the BAIID Division of the Secretary of State in writing. Our Joliet attorneys advise on whether opting out or participating best suits your Will County case.
What If I Am Financially Unable to Afford a BAIID in Will County?
If the court determines that you are indigent and therefore unable to pay for a BAIID in Joliet, the BAIID provider is required to install the BAIID without charge, except for a one-month security deposit that does not exceed the cost of one month’s rental. This ensures access for low-income clients facing DUI suspensions. Our Will County team helps petition for hardship waivers and coordinates with providers for seamless installation.
Are There Exceptions to the Requirement That I Install a BAIID in Joliet?
You must drive a BAIID-equipped vehicle, but exceptions exist for employer-owned non-commercial vehicles used solely for work (not school buses or vehicles transporting more than 15 passengers, employer-owned vehicles owned by the driver or family, vehicles for personal use, or vehicles assigned exclusively for commuting). The Secretary of State may grant this exemption, limiting driving to 6 days a week, 12 hours per day, for work purposes only. You can seek a medical waiver by submitting a medical report proving inability to use BAIID, requiring completion of alcohol/drug evaluation, treatment, and a Secretary of State hearing as conditions. In Will County, our lawyers apply for these exemptions and ensure compliance to avoid MDDP cancellation.
What Are the Violations That Will Cause a Cancellation of the MDDP in Will County?
Violations leading to MDDP cancellation in Joliet include:
- Conviction or court supervision for leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury, DUI, reckless driving, street racing, aggravated street racing, or offenses where alcohol/drugs are elements.
- Unauthorized uninstallation of the BAIID.
- Sufficient reason to believe violations occurred, such as operating a non-BAIID-equipped vehicle, requesting another to start a BAIID vehicle, or tampering with/circumventing the device.
Cancellation revokes driving privileges, requiring surrender of the permit. Our firm defends against these allegations to prevent cancellation in Will County.
What Are the Violations That Will Cause an Extension of the Statutory Summary Suspension in Will County?
Extensions of the statutory summary suspension under MDDP in Joliet occur for:
- BAIID log showing a BAC of .025 or more during a running retest (failure to stop and retest within 5 minutes).
- BAIID log showing tampering or circumvention.
- Failure to bring the vehicle in for monitoring within the first 5 days of the monitoring period.
- BAIID log showing 10 or more unsuccessful start attempts within a 30-minute period.
First violation: 3-month extension. Second: 3-month extension. Third or more: 3-month extension each. Our Joliet attorneys review logs and challenge extensions in Will County hearings.
Impoundment, Seizure and Forfeiture of Your Vehicle
In Joliet, driving without a valid MDDP or BAIID can lead to vehicle impoundment under local ordinances or state law for driving on suspended/revoked license. Repeat DUI offenders face seizure and forfeiture if the vehicle was used in the offense. Penalties include towing fees, storage costs, and potential permanent loss. Our Will County team defends against these to protect your property and license.
Other MDDP Requirements in Will County
Additional MDDP requirements in Joliet include:
- Downloading BAIID data every 60 days (or 30 days if suspension extended due to violations).
- Complying with service or inspection notifications within 5 working days.
- Keeping a journal of unsuccessful start attempts, test failures, retest issues, or other BAIID problems.
- Operating only BAIID-equipped vehicles, including owned, rented, leased, or loaned ones.
Failure to meet these cancels the MDDP. Our firm ensures compliance and handles any issues for Will County clients.
Other MDDP Violations in Will County
Other violations include:
- Conviction for operating a vehicle without a valid MDDP.
- Failure to notify the Secretary of State of address changes or vehicle registration updates.
- Using the MDDP for prohibited purposes, like driving commercial vehicles if holding a CDL.
- Any alcohol or drug-related offense while on MDDP.
These can lead to cancellation, extension, or new charges. Our Joliet lawyers defend against violations and support reinstatement in Will County.
Conclusion
The MDDP offers vital relief for first-time DUI offenders in Joliet and Will County, but eligibility, compliance, and avoiding violations are essential. From application to defending against penalties, Joliet Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer provides comprehensive support. Serving Joliet, Plainfield, Lockport, Romeoville, and beyond, contact us at jolietdriverslicensereinstatementlawyer.com for a free consultation today.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, contact Joliet Driver’s License Reinstatement Lawyer at jolietdriverslicensereinstatementlawyer.com.