New Jersey DWI DUI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in New Jersey is 0.08% per se
(effective from Jan 20th 2004)

New Jersey DWI cases are unique, since there is no pre-trial administrative driver's license suspension, as there is in many other states. The only driver's license consequences are the ones imposed by the court.

New Jersey DWI DUI Laws and BAC limits

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of New Jersey 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 New Jersey and implied consent laws are enforced.

New Jersey 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 DWI DUI - Drunk Driving in New Jersey

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

First DWI DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first DWI DUI - drunk driving conviction in New Jersey:

• $250 to $400 fine
• up to 30 days in jail
• 3 months drivers license suspension
• must attend intoxicated driver resource center
• SR22 insurance requirement
• ignition interlock restriction (6 months to 1 year) or revocation of the vehicle’s registration

Second DWI DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DWI DUI - drunk driving conviction in New Jersey:

• $500 to $1,000 fine
• up to 30 days in jail
• 7 months to 1 year drivers license suspension
• must attend intoxicated driver resource center
• SR22 insurance requirement
• ignition interlock restriction (1 to 3 years) or revocation of the vehicle’s registration

Third DWI DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - Misdemeanor

The penalty for a third DWI DUI - drunk driving conviction in New Jersey:

• $1,000 fine
• 180 days days in jail
• 10 years drivers license suspension
• SR22 insurance requirement
• ignition interlock restriction (1 to 3 years) or revocation of the vehicle’s registration

All DWI DUI - drunk driving arrests also carry the following penalties.

• $100 Surcharge for the drunk driving enforcement fund.
• $100 Motor Vehicle Restoration Fee.
• $100 Violent Crimes Compensation fee.
• $100 Intoxicated Driver Program Fee.
• $100 State and Municipality Fee.

If you are under 21 and drive with any detectable amount of alcohol in your system (.01 BAC or above), you will be subject to the following penalties:

• Loss or postponement of driving privileges for30 to 90 days
• 15 to 30 days of community service
  
• Successful completion of the program requirements of an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center or an alcohol education and highway safety program.

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Implied consent LAWS

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

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in New Jersey

Like most states New Jersey treats a refusal to submit to a chemical test with equal or greater penalties and fines as a conviction for drunk driving.

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

First chemical test refusal

• $300 to $500 fine
• 7 months to 1 year drivers license suspension
• SR22 insurance requirement
• possible ignition interlock restriction or revocation of the vehicle’s registration

Second chemical test refusal

• $500 to $1,000 fine
• 2 years drivers license suspension
• SR22 insurance requirement
• ignition interlock restriction or revocation of the vehicle’s registration

Third (and subsequent) chemical test refusal

• $1,000 fine
• 10 years drivers license suspension
• SR22 insurance requirement
• ignition interlock restriction or revocation of the vehicle’s registration

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New Jersey Auto insurance (High Risk DWI DUI SR22 Insurance)

New Jersey auto insurance quotes ENTER ZIP CODE:

New Jersey SR-22 auto insurance is usually required for a period of 3 years after a DUI - 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 SR22 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 New Jersey auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

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

The minimum mandatory liability insurance coverage required in the state of New Jersey for private passenger vehicles is:

Basic

• $10,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $5,000 for property damage liability (PDL) coverage
  

A basic policy is generally geared towards younger drivers with little or no assets. It does not provide bodily injury liability coverage for one person only.

Standard

• $15,000 bodily inury liability (BIL) per person
• $30,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $5,000 for property damage liability (PDL) coverage
• $15,000 Personal Injury Protection (PIP)
• $15,000 for uninsured/underinsured motorist injury

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.

What is (PIP) Personal Injury Protection?

Personal injury protection (PIP) pays for any medical expenses, lost wages, and any replacement services when a driver is involved in an accident. These expenses are paid regardles of who is at fault.

What is Underinsured Motorist Coverage?

Underinsured motorist coverage helps to pay for any medical claims in addition to those covered by personal injury protection. This type of insurance coverage only pays out in the event that the other motorist is at fault and does not hold the necessary amount of insurance to cover all expenses.

What is Uninsured Motorist Coverage?

Uninsured motorist coverage pays for medical expenses after your PIP benefits have ended if the other driver is responsible for the accident and has no insurance coverage.

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FREE DUI / DWI Case evaluation & by local New Jersey Lawyer

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Protect your rights! Talk to a local DUI lawyer New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 New Jersey Drunk Driving Attorney as soon as possible to gather important information such as: • What penalties do you face if convicted of DUI in New Jersey? • What are the indirect penalties, such as increased insurance rates and diminished job opportunities in New Jersey? • Does New Jersey have a mandatory ignition interlock device law? • Was your breathalyzer or blood alcohol content (BAC) test properly administered in accordance with New Jersey laws and procedures ? • When and how can you get your driver’s license reinstated in New Jersey? 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 New Jersey criminal defense attorney specialising in New Jersey drunk driving laws today.

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Disclaimer: While every effort is made to keep all information up to date, the New Jersey drunk driving laws change frequently and the information provided should not be construed as legal advice. Drinkdriving.org shall not be held responsible for any actions a person may take as a result of information gathered from this web site. Consultation with a local New Jersey DUI lawyer is recommended in all cases.

Useful New Jersey DWI DUI Links:

DUI DWI - Drunk Driving Laws in New Jersey

New Jersey Drivers Manual

New Jersey SR22 Insurance Requirement

New Jersey MVC (Motor Vehicle Commission)

New Jersey Department of Transport

New Jersey Department of Insurance

New Jersey Courts (Judiciary)

New Jersey DUI Lawyers

New Jersey DUI discussion forum

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