Indiana DUI OWI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in Indiana is 0.08% per se
(effective from Jul 1st 2001)

Indiana DUI laws are known as OWI laws (operating while intoxicated)

(If you’ve been charged with Indiana OWI, the law allows 10 days for your Indiana OWI Lawyer to make a request for an Indiana BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) administrative hearing to save your driving license)

Indiana DUI OWI Laws and BAC limits

DUI is more commonly known as OWI (operating while intoxicated) in Indiana.

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Indiana it is crime for ANY driver to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.08% and above.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
It is a crime for commercial vehicle operators to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.04% or above.

MINOR (under the age of 21) - BAC LIMIT = 0.01%
It is a crime for persons under 21 years of age to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.01% or above.

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Indiana and implied consent laws are enforced.

Indiana BAC Calculator

BLOOD ALCOHOL CONTENT CALCULATOR Calculate your BAC using our calculator, know your legal drunk driving limits and stay safe!!

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Penalties for OWI - Drunk Driving in Indiana

Indiana is a state with a five-year ‘washout period,’ also known as a 'look back period', this means that a prior conviction is not admissible after five years. If it is five years and one day since a driver was convicted of OWI, that driver will be considered a first-time offender. If a driver commits a OWI within five years of the first OWI, they are considered guilty of a second offense and are subjected to harsher punishments.

First OWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first OWI - drunk driving conviction in Indiana:

• up to $5,000 fine
• up to 1 year in jail
• minimum 90 days to 2 years drivers license suspension (probationary drivers license may be available if driver is successfully participating in a court supervised alcohol treatment program)
• possible attendance at substance abuse program
• possible ignition interlock restricted drivers license available after minimum period (90 days) of suspension is served
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second OWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - Possible Felony

The penalty for a second OWI - drunk driving conviction in Indiana:

• up to $10,000 fine
• between 5 days and 3 years in jail
• possible community service
• minimum 180 days to 2 years drivers license suspension (probationary drivers license may be available if driver is successfully participating in a court supervised alcohol treatment program)
• possible attendance at substance abuse program
• possible ignition interlock restricted drivers license available after minimum period (180 days) of suspension is served
• SR22 insurance requirement

Third OWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - Possible felony

The penalty for a third OWI - drunk driving conviction in Indiana:

• fine decided by courts
• 10 days to 3 years in jail
• possible community service
• minimum 1 year to 10 years drivers license suspension (probationary drivers license may be available if driver is successfully participating in a court supervised alcohol treatment program)
• possible attendance at substance abuse program
• possible ignition interlock restricted drivers license available after minimum period (1 year) of suspension is served
• SR22 insurance requirement

If you are charged and sentenced as a habitual substance offender, you may be imprisoned for an additional 1 to 8 years in jail.

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Implied consent LAWS

It is a crime to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Indiana and implied consent laws are enforced.

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Indiana

In Indiana, if the accused refuses to take a chemical test of their blood, breath or urine, their drivers license will be suspended/revoked.

In addition to any other penalty imposed, the court shall suspend the person's driving privileges:

FIRST CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL

• 1 year drivers license suspension
• SR22 insurance requirement

SECOND AND SUBSEQUENT REFUSALS

• 2 years drivers license suspension
• SR22 insurance requirement

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Indiana Auto insurance (High RIsk DUI SR22 Insurance)

Indiana auto insurance quotes ENTER ZIP CODE:

Indiana SR-22 auto insurance is usually required for a period of 3 years after a OWI - drunk driving - alcohol related driving conviction and can be very expensive if you go with the wrong provider.  Some insurance companies will not even do an SR22 insurance filing. Get a FREE DUI auto insurance quote and compare rates to find the best deal, simply enter your ZIP code above and you can be comparing prices for Indiana auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

Minimum liability insurance requirements for private passenger vehicles in the state of Indiana

The minimum mandatory liability insurance coverage required in the state of Indiana for private passenger vehicles is (25-50/50/10). This equates to the following liability coverage:

• Uninsured motorists - $25,000 - $50,000 bodily injury liability (BIL) per person
• Uninsured motorists $50,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $10,000 property damage liability (PDL) coverage

Each newly written Indiana auto liability policy must include uninsured and underinsured motorist’s coverage unless you reject this in writing.

What is (BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance?

(BIL) Bodily Injury Liability insurance coverage will pay for serious and permanent injury or death to other people when a crash is caused by the insured. An auto insurance company will pay for injuries up to the limits specified in an insurance policy and will provide legal representation for the insured in the event someone tries to sue them.

What is (PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance?

(PDL) Property Damage Liability insurance coverage pays for damages an insured driver or members of an insured drivers family cause (and are liable for) to other people's property in a crash involving a motor vehicle.

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FREE Case evaluation & consultation by local Indiana DWI / DUI Lawyer / Drunk Driving Attorney

OR

Protect your rights! Talk to a local DUI lawyer Indiana DUI cases tend to move quickly through the system, and there may be important deadlines that affect your right to assert certain defenses or call witnesses. It’s important that you understand the process your Indiana drunk driving case will follow and the important requirements and deadlines before you take any action—but you can’t afford to delay. Talk to a local Indiana Drunk Driving Attorney as soon as possible to gather important information such as: • What penalties do you face if convicted of DUI in Indiana? • What are the indirect penalties, such as increased insurance rates and diminished job opportunities in Indiana? • Does Indiana have a mandatory ignition interlock device law? • Was your breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) test properly administered in accordance with Indiana laws and procedures ? • When and how can you get your driver’s license reinstated in Indiana? It’s easy to make mistakes under pressure, so make sure that you have the information you need to make good, educated decisions during this process. Contact a local Indiana criminal defense attorney specialising in Indiana drunk driving laws today.

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Useful Indiana OWI Links:

OWI - Drunk Driving Laws in Indiana

Indiana BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles)

Indiana Drivers Manual

Indiana SR22 Insurance Requirement

Indiana Department of Transportation

Indiana State Courts

Indiana Department of Insurance

Indiana OWI Lawyers

Indiana OWI discussion forum

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