North Carolina DWI DUI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in North Carolina is 0.08% per se
(effective from Oct 1st 1993)

(If you’ve been charged with North Carolina DWI, the law allows only 10 days for your North Carolina DUI DWI Lawyer to make a request with the North Carolina DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) for a hearing to save your driving license)

North Carolina DWI Laws and BAC limits

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of North Carolina 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 = 0.00% - ZERO TOLERANCE
It is a crime for persons under 21 years of age to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.00% or above.

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

North Carolina 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 - Drunk Driving in North Carolina

North Carolina 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 DWI, that driver will be considered a first-time offender. If a driver commits a DWI within ten years of the first DWI, they are considered guilty of a second offense and are subjected to harsher punishments.

An alcohol concentration restriction will be required when a license is restored following a suspension for DWI or when a Limited Driving Privilege is issued following a DWI conviction. On the first restoration, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.04. On a second or subsequent restoration, the alcohol concentration restriction will be 0.00.

A conviction of Driving While Impaired with a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 0.16 or more, or another conviction within the past seven years, will require an ignition interlock device to be installed on the vehicle.

First DWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first DWI - drunk driving conviction in North Carolina:

• $100 to $2,000 fine
• 1 day to 1 year imprisonment
• 1 year drivers license revocation
• 24 hours community service
• ignition interlock restriction upon drivers license re-instatement

Second DWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DWI - drunk driving conviction in North Carolina:

• $1,000 to $2,000 fine
• 7 daya to 1 year imprisonment
• 1 to 4 years drivers license revocation
• ignition interlock restriction upon drivers license re-instatement

Third DWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a third DWI - drunk driving conviction in North Carolina:

• up to $2,000 fine
• 14 days to 1 years imprisonment
• possible permanent driver license revocation if at least one of the prior convictions occurred within past five years otherwise up to 4 years drivers license revocation
• ignition interlock restriction upon drivers license re-instatement

Fourth DWI - Drunk Driving Conviction - Felony

If three prior DWI convictions occured within past 7 years a fourth conviction will be considered a felony.

The penalty for a fourth DWI - drunk driving conviction in North Carolina:

• fine at discretion of courts
• 1 to 3 years imprisonment
• permanent driver license revocation

Enhanced punishments will be given for a BAC of 0.16% or more

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Implied consent LAWS

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

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in North Carolina

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

If you refuse a chemical test your drivers license will be suspended for up to 1 year.

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North Carolina insurance (High Risk DUI DWI SR22 Insurance)

North Carolina auto insurance quotes ZIP Code

Although SR22 insurance is not required in the state of after an alcohol related driving conviction, it will save you money to shop around for auto insurance after a DWI DUI - drunk driving conviction regardless. Auto insurance can be very expensive if you go with the wrong provider. Get a FREE auto insurance quote and compare rates to find the best deal, simply enter your ZIP code above and you can be comparing prices for North Carolina auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

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

The minimum mandatory liability insurance coverage required in the state of North Carolina for private passenger vehicles is (30/60/25). This equates to the following liability coverage:

• $30,000 bodily injury liability (BIL) per person
• $60,000 for two or more people in one accident
• $25,000 property damage liability (PDL) coverage

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 DUI / DWI Case evaluation & by local North Carolina Lawyer

OR

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

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Disclaimer: While every effort is made to keep all information up to date, the North Carolina 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 North Carolina DUI lawyer is recommended in all cases.

Useful North Carolina DWI Links:

DWI - Drunk Driving Laws in North Carolina

North Carolina Drivers Handbook

North Carolina SR22 Insurance Requirement

North Carolina DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)

North Carolina Department of Transport

North Carolina Department of Insurance

North Carolina Court System

North Carolina DWI - DUI Lawyers

North Carolina DWI - DUI discussion forum

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