Knowingly lending a car without a working ignition interlock device to someone required to use one becomes a class 6 felony, instead of a class 1 misdemeanor, if that driver is involved in a collision that causes death or serious physical injury.
Official title: ignition interlock devices; violation; classification
- September 12, 2026
What changes
BeforeAnyone who violated the ignition interlock rules, including knowingly lending a car without a working certified interlock device to a driver with a limited or restricted driving privilege, was guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
NowA person who knowingly lends a car in violation of this rule is guilty of a class 6 felony if, while driving it, the borrower is involved in a collision that results in death or serious physical injury. Other violations remain a class 1 misdemeanor.
BeforeExcept in a substantial emergency, a person could not knowingly rent, lease or lend a car to a person whose driving privilege was limited or restricted, unless the car had a working certified ignition interlock device.
NowThe rule is reworded to apply when the person rents, leases or lends the car while knowing that the other person has a limited or restricted driving privilege. The emergency exception and interlock requirement stay the same.
Who it affects
- People who lend, rent or lease vehicles to drivers whose driving privilege is limited or restricted and who must use an ignition interlock device
- Drivers whose driving privilege is limited or restricted and who must use an ignition interlock device
- Courts and prosecutors
What you need to do
Nothing.
What the law doesn't answer
- The prison time or fines for a class 6 felony or a class 1 misdemeanor
- Whether the borrowing driver must be at fault in the collision for the felony to apply
- Why the felony applies only to lending a car and not to renting or leasing one
- Whether the change applies to violations that happened before the law takes effect
This summary describes the law as enacted. Later laws, court rulings or referendum petitions can change the picture. Check the official text for the current wording.