Idaho Code §18-8002A. Alcohol Tests

The following is direct text from Idaho Statutes regarding Driver Tests for Alcohol Concentration:

18-8002A.  TESTS OF DRIVER FOR ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION, PRESENCE OF DRUGS OR OTHER INTOXICATING SUBSTANCES — SUSPENSION UPON FAILURE OF TESTS. (1) Definitions. As used in this section:

(a)  "Actual physical control" means being in the driver’s position of a motor vehicle with the motor running or with the vehicle moving.

(b)  "Administrative hearing" means a hearing conducted by a hearing officer to determine whether a suspension imposed by the provisions of this section should be vacated or sustained.

(c)  "Department" means the Idaho transportation department and, as the context requires, shall be construed to include any agent of the department designated by rule as hereinafter provided.

(d)  "Director" means the director of the Idaho transportation department.

(e)  "Evidentiary testing" means a procedure or test or series of procedures or tests utilized to determine the concentration of alcohol or the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances in a person, including additional testing authorized by subsection (6) of this section. An evidentiary test for alcohol concentration shall be based on a formula of grams of alcohol per one hundred (100) cubic centimeters of blood, per two hundred ten (210) liters of breath, or per sixty-seven (67) milliliters of urine. Analysis of blood, breath or urine for the purpose of determining alcohol concentration shall be performed by a laboratory operated by the Idaho state police or by a laboratory approved by the Idaho state police under the provisions of approval and certification standards to be set by the Idaho state police, or by any other method approved by the Idaho state police. Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rule of court, the results of any test for alcohol concentration and records relating to calibration, approval, certification or quality control performed by a laboratory operated and approved by the Idaho state police or by any other method approved by the Idaho state police shall be admissible in any proceeding in this state without the necessity of producing a witness to establish the reliability of the testing procedure for examination.

(f)  "Hearing officer" means a person designated by the department to conduct administrative hearings. The hearing officer shall have authority to administer oaths, examine witnesses and take testimony, receive relevant evidence, issue subpoenas, regulate the course and conduct of the hearing and make a final ruling on the issues before him.

(g)  "Hearing request" means a request for an administrative hearing on the suspension imposed by the provisions of this section.

(2)  Information to be given. At the time of evidentiary testing for concentration of alcohol or for the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances is requested, the person shall be informed that if the person refuses to submit to or fails to complete evidentiary testing, or if the person submits to and completes evidentiary testing and the test results indicate an alcohol concentration or the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances in violation of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code, the person shall be informed substantially as follows (but need not be informed verbatim):

If you refuse to submit to or if you fail to complete and pass evidentiary testing for alcohol or other intoxicating substances:

(a)  The peace officer will issue a notice of suspension and you will be required to install, at your expense, a state-approved ignition interlock system on all motor vehicles you operate for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period;

(b)  You have the right to request a hearing within seven (7) days of the notice of suspension of your driver’s license to show cause why you refused to submit to or to complete and pass evidentiary testing and why your driver’s license should not be suspended;

(c)  If you refused or failed to complete evidentiary testing and do not request a hearing before the court or do not prevail at the hearing, your driver’s license will be suspended and you will be required to install, at your expense, a state-approved ignition interlock system on all motor vehicles you operate for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period. The suspension will be for one (1) year if this is your first refusal. The suspension will be for two (2) years if this is your second refusal within ten (10) years. You will not be able to obtain a temporary restricted license during that period;

(d)  If you complete evidentiary testing and fail the testing and do not request a hearing before the department or do not prevail at the hearing, your driver’s license will be suspended and you will be required to install, at your expense, a state-approved ignition interlock system on all motor vehicles you operate for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period. This suspension will be for ninety (90) days if this is your first failure of evidentiary testing, but you may request restricted noncommercial vehicle driving privileges after the first thirty (30) days. The suspension will be for one (1) year if this is your second failure of evidentiary testing within five (5) years. You will not be able to obtain a temporary restricted license during that period;

(e)  However, if you are admitted to a problem solving court program and have served at least forty-five (45) days of an absolute suspension of driving privileges, you may be eligible for a restricted permit for the purpose of getting to and from work, school or an alcohol treatment program, but only if you install, at your expense, a state-approved ignition interlock system on all motor vehicles you operate;

(f)  However, if you are admitted to a diversion program under section 19-3509, Idaho Code, you may be eligible for a restricted permit for the purpose of getting to and from work, school, medical appointments, or a treatment program, but only if you install, at your expense, a state-approved ignition interlock system on all motor vehicles you operate; and

(g)  After submitting to evidentiary testing, you may, when practicable, at your own expense, have additional tests made by a person of your own choosing.

(3)  Rulemaking authority of the Idaho state police. The Idaho state police may, pursuant to chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, prescribe by rule:

(a)  What testing is required to complete evidentiary testing under this section; and

(b)  What calibration or checking of testing equipment must be performed to comply with the department’s requirements. Any rules of the Idaho state police shall be in accordance with the following: a test for alcohol concentration in breath as defined in section 18-8004, Idaho Code, and subsection (1)(e) of this section will be valid for the purposes of this section if the breath alcohol testing instrument was approved for testing by the Idaho state police in accordance with section 18-8004, Idaho Code, at any time within ninety (90) days before the evidentiary testing. A test for alcohol concentration in blood or urine as defined in section 18-8004, Idaho Code, that is reported by the Idaho state police or by any laboratory approved by the Idaho state police to perform this test will be valid for the purposes of this section.

(4)  Suspension and ignition interlock system.

(a)  Upon receipt of the sworn statement of a peace officer that there existed legal cause to believe a person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances and that the person submitted to a test and the test results indicated an alcohol concentration or the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances in violation of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code, the department shall suspend the person’s driver’s license, driver’s permit, driving privileges or nonresident driving privileges:

(i)   For a period of ninety (90) days for a first failure of evidentiary testing under the provisions of this section. The first thirty (30) days of the suspension shall be absolute and the person shall have absolutely no driving privileges of any kind. Restricted noncommercial vehicle driving privileges applicable during the remaining sixty (60) days of the suspension may be requested as provided in subsection (9) of this section.

(ii)  For a period of one (1) year for a second and any subsequent failure of evidentiary testing under the provisions of this section within the immediately preceding five (5) years. No driving privileges of any kind shall be granted during the suspension imposed pursuant to this subparagraph.

The department shall also direct the installation, at the offender’s expense, of a state-approved ignition interlock system meeting the requirements of section 18-8008, Idaho Code, on all motor vehicles operated by the offender for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period.

The person may request an administrative hearing on the suspension as provided in subsection (7) of this section. Any right to contest the suspension shall be waived if a hearing is not requested as therein provided.

(b)  The suspension shall become effective thirty (30) days after service upon the person of the notice of suspension and notice of the requirement to install, at his expense, a state-approved ignition interlock system for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period. The notice shall be in a form provided by the department and shall state:

(i)   The reason and statutory grounds for the suspension and the requirement to install the ignition interlock system;

(ii)  The effective date of the suspension and the requirement to install the ignition interlock system;

(iii) The suspension periods to which the person may be subject as provided in paragraph (a) of this subsection;

(iv)  The procedures for obtaining restricted noncommercial vehicle driving privileges;

(v)   The rights of the person to request an administrative hearing on the suspension and that, if an administrative hearing is not requested within seven (7) days of service of the notice of suspension and notice of the requirement to install the ignition interlock system, the right to contest the suspension shall be waived;

(vi)  The procedures for obtaining an administrative hearing on the suspension;

(vii) The right to judicial review of the hearing officer’s decision on the suspension and the procedures for seeking such review.

(c)  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a)(i) and (ii) of this subsection, a person who is enrolled in and is a participant in good standing in a drug court or mental health court approved by the supreme court drug court and mental health court coordinating committee under the provisions of chapter 56, title 19, Idaho Code, or other similar problem solving court utilizing community-based sentencing alternatives shall be eligible for restricted noncommercial driving privileges for the purpose of getting to and from work, school or an alcohol treatment program, which may be granted by the presiding judge of the drug court or mental health court or other similar problem solving court, provided that the offender has served a period of absolute suspension of driving privileges of at least forty-five (45) days, that a state-approved ignition interlock system is installed, at his expense, on all motor vehicles operated by him for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period and that the offender has shown proof of financial responsibility as defined and in the amounts specified in section 49-117, Idaho Code, provided that the restricted noncommercial driving privileges may be continued if the offender successfully completes the drug court, mental health court or other similar problem solving court, and that the court may revoke such privileges for failure to comply with the terms of probation or with the terms and conditions of the drug court, mental health court or other similar problem solving court program.

(5)  Service of suspension and ignition interlock system by peace officer or the department. If the driver submits to evidentiary testing after the information in subsection (2) of this section has been provided and the results of the test indicate an alcohol concentration or the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances in violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code:

(a)  The peace officer shall, acting on behalf of the department, serve the person with a notice of suspension and notice of the requirement to install, at his expense, a state-approved ignition interlock system for a period to end one (1) year following the end of the suspension period in the form and containing the information required under subsection (4) of this section. The department may serve the person with a notice of suspension and the requirement to install the ignition interlock system if the peace officer failed to do so or failed to include the date of service as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section.

(b)  Within five (5) business days following service of a notice of suspension and notice of the requirement to install the ignition interlock system, the peace officer shall forward to the department a copy of the completed notice of suspension and notice of the requirement to install the ignition interlock system form upon which the date of service upon the driver shall be clearly indicated, a certified copy or duplicate original of the results of all tests for alcohol concentration, as shown by analysis of breath administered at the direction of the peace officer, and a sworn statement of the officer, which may incorporate any arrest or incident reports relevant to the arrest and evidentiary testing setting forth:

(i)   The identity of the person;

(ii)  Stating the officer’s legal cause to stop the person;

(iii) Stating the officer’s legal cause to believe that the person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances in violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code;

(iv)  That the person was advised of the consequences of taking and failing the evidentiary test as provided in subsection (2) of this section;

(v)   That the person was lawfully arrested;

(vi)  That the person was tested for alcohol concentration, drugs or other intoxicating substances as provided in this chapter, and that the results of the test indicated an alcohol concentration or the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances in violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code.

If an evidentiary test of blood or urine was administered rather than a breath test, the peace officer or the department shall serve the notice of suspension once the results are received. The sworn statement required in this subsection shall be made on forms in accordance with rules adopted by the department.

(c)  The department may serve the person with a notice of suspension if the peace officer failed to issue the notice of suspension or failed to include the date of service as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section.

(6)  Additional tests. After submitting to evidentiary testing at the request of the peace officer, the person may, when practicable, at his own expense, have additional tests for alcohol concentration or for the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances made by a person of his own choosing. The person’s failure or inability to obtain additional tests shall not preclude admission of the results of evidentiary tests administered at the direction of the peace officer unless additional testing was denied by the peace officer.

(7)  Administrative hearing on suspension. A person who has been served with a notice of suspension and notice of the requirement to install the ignition interlock system after submitting to an evidentiary test may request an administrative hearing on the suspension before a hearing officer designated by the department. The hearing may be held only on the suspension and not on the requirement to install an ignition interlock system. The request for hearing shall be in writing and must be received by the department within seven (7) calendar days of the date of service upon the person of the notice of suspension and notice of the requirement to install the ignition interlock system and shall include what issue or issues shall be raised at the hearing. The date on which the hearing request was received shall be noted on the face of the request.

If a hearing is requested, the hearing shall be held within twenty (20) days of the date the hearing request was received by the department unless this period is, for good cause shown, extended by the hearing officer for a ten (10) day period. Such extension shall not operate as a stay of the suspension, notwithstanding an extension of the hearing date beyond such thirty (30) day period. Written notice of the date and time of the hearing shall be sent to the party requesting the hearing at least seven (7) days prior to the scheduled hearing date. The department may conduct all hearings by telephone if each participant in the hearing has an opportunity to participate in the entire proceeding while it is taking place.

The hearing shall be recorded. The sworn statement of the arresting officer and the copy of the notice of suspension and the notice of the requirement to install the ignition interlock system issued by the officer shall be admissible at the hearing without further evidentiary foundation. The results of any tests for alcohol concentration or the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances by analysis of blood, urine or breath administered at the direction of the peace officer and the records relating to calibration, certification, approval or quality control pertaining to equipment utilized to perform the tests shall be admissible as provided in section 18-8004(4), Idaho Code. The arresting officer shall not be required to participate unless directed to do so by a subpoena issued by the hearing officer.

The burden of proof shall be on the person requesting the hearing. The hearing officer shall not vacate the suspension unless he finds, by a preponderance of the evidence, that:

(a)  The peace officer did not have legal cause to stop the person; or

(b)  The officer did not have legal cause to believe the person had been driving or was in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicating substances in violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code; or

(c)  The test results did not show an alcohol concentration or the presence of drugs or other intoxicating substances in violation of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code; or

(d)  The tests for alcohol concentration, drugs or other intoxicating substances administered at the direction of the peace officer were not conducted in accordance with the requirements of section 18-8004(4), Idaho Code, or the testing equipment was not functioning properly when the test was administered; or

(e)  The person was not informed of the consequences of submitting to evidentiary testing as required in subsection (2) of this section.

If the hearing officer finds that the person has not met his burden of proof, he shall sustain the suspension. The hearing officer shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and shall enter an order vacating or sustaining the suspension. The findings of fact, conclusions of law and order entered by the hearing officer shall be considered a final order pursuant to the provisions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, except that motions for reconsideration of such order shall be allowed and new evidence can be submitted.

The facts as found by the hearing officer shall be independent of the determination of the same or similar facts in the adjudication of any criminal charges arising out of the same occurrence. The disposition of those criminal charges shall not affect the suspension and the requirement to install the ignition interlock system required to be imposed under the provisions of this section. If a license is suspended under this section and the person is also convicted on criminal charges arising out of the same occurrence for a violation of the provisions of section 18-8004, 18-8004C or 18-8006, Idaho Code, both the suspension under this section and the suspension imposed pursuant to the provisions of section 18-8005 or 18-8006, Idaho Code, shall be imposed, but the periods of suspension shall run concurrently, with the total period of suspension not to exceed the longer of the applicable suspension periods, unless the court ordering the suspension in the criminal case orders to the contrary.

(8)  Judicial review. A party aggrieved by the decision of the hearing officer may seek judicial review of the decision in the manner provided for judicial review of final agency action provided in chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code. Any petition for relief from the installation of an ignition interlock device shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of section 18-8002(12), Idaho Code. An order for relief from the installation of an ignition interlock device from any court shall apply to all statutory ignition interlock requirements.

(9)  Restricted noncommercial vehicle driving privileges. A person served with a notice of suspension for ninety (90) days pursuant to this section may apply to the department for restricted noncommercial vehicle driving privileges, to become effective after the thirty (30) day absolute suspension has been completed. The request may be made at any time after service of the notice of suspension. Restricted noncommercial vehicle driving privileges will be issued for the person to travel to and from work and for work purposes not involving operation of a commercial vehicle, to attend an alternative high school, work on a GED, for postsecondary education, or to meet the medical needs of the person or his family if the person is eligible for restricted noncommercial vehicle driving privileges. Any person whose driving privileges are suspended under the provisions of this chapter may be granted privileges to drive a noncommercial vehicle but shall not be granted privileges to operate a commercial motor vehicle.

(10) As used in this section, "at his expense," "at your expense" and "at the offender’s expense" include the cost of obtaining, installing, using and maintaining an ignition interlock system.

(11) Rules. The department may adopt rules under the provisions of chapter 52, title 67, Idaho Code, deemed necessary to implement the provisions of this section.

History:

[18-8002A, added 1993, ch. 413, sec. 2, p. 1519; am. 1994, ch. 357, sec. 1, p. 1118; am. 1997, ch. 238, sec. 1, p. 689; am. 1999, ch. 80, sec. 1, p. 227; am. 2000, ch. 469, sec. 27, p. 1481; am. 2004, ch. 126, sec. 1, p. 423; am. 2005, ch. 352, sec. 1, p. 1085; am. 2006, ch. 261, sec. 2, p. 803; am. 2009, ch. 184, sec. 2, p. 587; am. 2011, ch. 15, sec. 2, p. 46; am. 2011, ch. 265, sec. 2, p. 714; am. 2014, ch. 63, sec. 3, p. 156; am. 2018, ch. 254, sec. 3, p. 591; am. 2019, ch. 305, sec. 1, p. 900; am. 2021, ch. 236, sec. 2, p. 720.]