If you are convicted of DUI in Oregon or if you enter into the Oregon DUI Diversion Program, you will be required to install an Ignition Interlock Device in any vehicle you intend to drive on public highways or premises open to the public. However there are Interlock Ignition Device exemptions. Oregon law is generally codified into the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs), and these statues/rules have been modified over the years to provide some relief to drivers who either cannot install an Interlock Ignition Device (IID) in their vehicle (due to the nature of their employment) or who cannot effectively use an IID because of a physical or medical condition.
Medical Interlock Ignition Device Exemptions for DUI Diversions
ORS 813.602(3)(b) allows a participant in Oregon’s DUII Diversion Program to avoid installing an IID for medical reasons, “if the court determines that the person meets the requirements for a medical exemption in accordance with rules adopted by (DMV) under this section.” The rules are then further detailed in OAR 735-070-0082:
(1) A person may qualify for a medical exemption from the ignition interlock device (IID) requirement under ORS 813.602(1) and (2) if the person provides satisfactory evidence to DMV that due to a medical condition or impairment the person is unable to operate an IID or unable to safely operate a motor vehicle equipped with an IID. (2) The following definitions apply:
(a) A “health care provider” is a person licensed, certified or otherwise authorized or permitted by law to administer health care in the State of Oregon. For purposes of these rules, the term health care provider is limited to: a chiropractic physician, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant.
(b) A “primary care provider” is a physician or health care provider who is responsible for supervising, coordinating and providing a person’s initial and ongoing health care.
(c) “Unable to safely operate a motor vehicle equipped with an IID” means the person’s medical condition or functional impairment prevents the person from safely operating a motor vehicle when requested to perform an IID rolling retest while operating a motor vehicle equipped with an IID.
(2) To apply for a medical exemption a person must submit a completed IID Medical Exemption form (DMV form 735-6941). The form must be completed by both the person and the person’s primary care provider or the physician or health care provider providing specialized treatment to the person for the particular medical condition or functional impairment that prevents the person from operating an IID or prevents the person from safely operating a motor vehicle equipped with an IID.
(3) The person must fully complete the information in Section 1 of the IID Medical Exemption form, including:
(a) The reason(s) the person is required to install an IID; and
(b) An explanation of why the person believes he or she has a medical condition or functional impairment that prevents the operation of an IID or prevents safe operation of a vehicle equipped with an IID.
(4) Section 2 of the IID Medical Exemption form must be completed by the person’s primary care provider, or a physician or health care provider providing specialized treatment to the person for a medical condition or functional impairment that prevents the person from operating an IID or prevents the person from safely operating a motor vehicle equipped with an IID. The physician or health care provider must determine that in his or her professional opinion the person is unable to operate an IID or is unable to safely operate a vehicle equipped with an IID because of the person’s medical condition or functional impairment, including but not limited to a determination that:
(a) The person has a medical condition or functional impairment that does not allow the person to provide the necessary alveolar air or deep lung air sample to properly operate the device; or
(b) The person consistently has a ketone level in his or her breath which creates a false positive reading of over .025 blood alcohol concentration even though the person has had no alcohol.
(5) If the determination of the physician or health care provider described in section (4) of this rule is not based on subsection (a) or (b), the physician or health care provider must provide a detailed description of why the medical condition or functional impairment prevents the person from operating an IID or prevents the person from safely operating a motor vehicle equipped with an IID.
(6) In completing Section 2 of the IID Medical Exemption form, the physician or health care provider must:
(a) Specify the medical condition or functional impairment that prevents the person from operating an IID or prevents the person from safely operating a vehicle equipped with an IID;
(b) State whether the medical condition or functional impairment is permanent or temporary, and if temporary, the projected length of time; and
(c) Specify why the medical condition or functional impairment prevents the person from operating an IID or prevents the person from safely operating a motor vehicle equipped with an IID.
(7) From the information provided on the IID Medical Exemption form, DMV will determine if the person qualifies for a medical exemption. If DMV determines from the information on the form that the person qualifies, DMV will issue a medical exemption. If DMV is unable to determine from the information provided that the person qualifies, DMV will deny the medical exemption.
(8) If the person’s medical condition or functional impairment is temporary, DMV will issue a temporary IID medical exemption that expires on the date specified in Section 2 of the IID Medical Exemption form, or a date six months from the date of issuance if no date is provided. If the temporary condition or functional impairment continues beyond the expiration date of the temporary IID medical exemption, the person may submit a signed statement from the physician or health care provider who completed the Request for IID Medical Exemption form describing the person’s continuing need for a medical exemption, or the person may submit a new application as set forth in sections (2) through (4) of this rule. From the information submitted DMV will determine if the person continues to qualify for a temporary IID medical exemption.
(9) Before granting or denying an IID medical exemption, DMV may require the person to provide additional information from a physician or health care provider or to obtain a statement from an IID provider that the device cannot be adjusted to accommodate the person’s medical condition or functional impairment.
(10) A person who is granted an IID medical exemption by DMV will be issued a medical exemption letter. The person must carry the IID medical exemption letter issued by DMV when driving.
(11) A person who must install and use an IID as a condition of a DUII diversion agreement must obtain an IID medical exemption from the court. The person must submit a completed IID Medical Exemption form directly to the court that approved the DUII diversion agreement. The court must approve or deny the IID medical exemption request. DMV will not forward an IID Medical Exemption form to a court if it is submitted to DMV in error.
(12) A person may need both an IID medical exemption letter issued by DMV and an IID medical exemption approval issued by a court. An IID medical exemption letter issued by DMV is not valid if the person is required to install an IID as a condition of a DUII diversion. A medical exemption issued by a court is not valid if the requirement to install and use an IID is required for any reason other than a DUII diversion agreement. Both an IID medical exemption letter issued by DMV and IID medical exemption approval issued by a court must be carried by the person when driving.
The Oregon DMV form for an Interlock Ignition Device (IID) Medical Exemption for DUI Diversion is: DMV Form 6941. Note that
Employer Ignition Interlock Device Exemptions
for DUI Diversions and DUI Convictions
The employer-owned vehicle exemption allows employers of persons convicted of DUI or who have entered into the DUII Diversion Program to avoid installing an Interlock Ignition Device (IID) in the employer’s vehicle or vehicles.
ORS 813.606 provides that if an employee is required– in the course and scope of their employment– to operate a motor vehicle owned by their employer, the employee may operate that vehicle without an Interlock Ignition Device (IID). This exemption only applies to vehicles registered to an employee’s employer while they are being driven for employment purposes. The full text is as follows:
Exception for Employee Otherwise Required to Have Device: Notwithstanding ORS 813.604, if a person is required, in the course and scope of the persons employment, to operate a motor vehicle owned by the persons employer, the person may operate that vehicle without installation of an ignition interlock device if:
(1) The employer has been notified:
(a) That the employee is operating with a hardship permit restricted as provided in ORS 813.604;
(b) That the employee is operating on a fully reinstated license within the first year following suspension or revocation for the employees first conviction of driving while under the influence of intoxicants;
(c) That the employee is operating on a fully reinstated license within the second year following suspension or revocation for the employees second or subsequent conviction of driving while under the influence of intoxicants; or
(d) That the employee has driving privileges and is otherwise required to install an ignition interlock device as a condition of a driving while under the influence of intoxicants diversion agreement; and
(2) The employee has proof of the notification and, if applicable, a fully reinstated license in the possession of the employee while operating the employers vehicle in the course of employment.
The Oregon DMV form for an Employer Ignition Interlock Device (IID) Exemption for DUI Diversion or DUI conviction is: DMV Form 6874. For a list of Oregon IID installers, please see our list of Ignition Interlock Device installers.