House panel approves bill to simplify Pennsylvania ignition-interlock licensing process

The House Transportation Committee voted to report House Bill 1862 as amended, a measure that consolidates Pennsylvania's ignition interlock licensing into a single license, shortens issuance timelines and requires PennDOT to create an online application portal.

Committee chairman Nielsen said the bill seeks to reduce processing delays that can leave drivers with interlock devices installed longer than court orders require, costing people employment opportunities. He said the proposal "does not lessen the gravity of driving under the influence."

The bill replaces the existing separate ignition interlock limited and ignition interlock restricted driver's licenses with one comprehensive ignition interlock driver's license and creates a uniform one-year interlock requirement for all persons mandated to use interlock devices. It directs the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to issue an ignition interlock driver's license within 14 days of receiving a complete application and authorizes applications by certified mail, in person at regional driver license centers and, within 60 months, through an online portal PennDOT must establish. PennDOT also must credit any time an individual held a valid ignition interlock driver's license toward the one-year requirement; if interlock use began before the suspension effective date, credit toward the requirement will begin on the suspension date.

Kyle, who summarized the bill to the committee, said the changes are intended to "reform and streamline the administrative and application procedures related to the ignition interlock program," pointing to slow processing times that can extend device installation beyond court-ordered periods.

Chairman Benninghoff, a co-sponsor, thanked PennDOT for working with the sponsors and said the bill modernizes the program and provides more flexibility for consumers, adding: "It'd be a lot easier if people just quit drinking and driving."

The committee adopted amendment A01842, described by staff as making technical changes requested by PennDOT and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. There were no recorded opposing votes on the amendment or on reporting the bill as amended; committee leadership announced no negative votes and the bill was reported to the full House as amended.

The committee record noted the House and Senate Transportation Committees held a joint public hearing on the ignition interlock program on May 7, 2025. Supporters listed during the committee summary included the administration, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the National Safety Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving, the PA DUI Association, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS), responsibility.org, the PA AAA Federation, ABATE (Alliance of Bikers Aimed Toward Education), and the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Committee staff stated there was no known organized opposition at the time of the meeting.

Next steps: with the committee's report, House Bill 1862 moves to the House floor process for further consideration. The bill includes administrative deadlines that will rely on PennDOT rulemaking and implementation to meet the 14-day issuance standard and the 60-month online-portal requirement.