Rhode Island DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties

Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Rhode Island

Rhode Island DUI Laws, BAC limits, fines, jail times, IID requirements, suspension/revocation periods and SR22 insurance requirements for first time and repeat offenders with multiple DUI's.

If you've been charged with DWI in Rhode Island, the law allows only 15 days for a Rhode Island DWI Lawyer to make a request with the Rhode Island DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.

What are the penalties for DUI in Rhode Island?

The penalties for driving under the influence in Rhode Island will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.

RI DUI Penalties

The penalty for DUI in Rhode Island will depend upon any previous offenses and a persons BAC (blood alcohol concentration) at the time of the offense. A tiered penalty system is in place with different penalties for drivers depending on their BAC's.

Rhode Island is a state with a 5 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'

1st DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

The penalty upon conviction of a first DUI offense in Rhode Island:

BAC of 0.08% to less than 0.10% or Unknown BAC

• Fine: $100 to $300 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
• Jail: up to 1 year in jail
• License Suspension: 30 to 180 days drivers license suspension
• 10 to 60 hours of public community restitution
• possible attendance at driving while intoxicated course
• RI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

BAC of 0.10% to less than 0.15%

• Fine: $100 to $400 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
• Jail: up to 1 year in jail
• License Suspension: 3 to 12 months drivers license suspension
• 10 to 60 hours of public community restitution
• possible attendance at driving while intoxicated course
• RI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

BAC of 0.15% or above

• Fine: $500 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
• Jail: up to 1 year in jail
• License Suspension: 3 to 18 months drivers license suspension
• 20 to 60 hours of public community restitution
• possible attendance at driving while intoxicated course
• RI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

2nd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Rhode Island:

BAC of 0.08% to less than 0.15% or Unknown BAC

• Fine: $400 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
• Jail: 10 days to 1 year in jail
• License Suspension: 1 to 2 years drivers license suspension
• Ignition Interlock: ignition interlock restriction may be required for 1 to 2 years
• alcohol assessment and treatment as required
• RI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

BAC of 0.15% or above

• Fine: minimum $1,000 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
• Jail: 6 months to 1 year in jail
• License Suspension: 2 years drivers license suspension
• Ignition Interlock: ignition interlock restriction may be required for 1 to 2 years
• alcohol assessment and treatment as required
• RI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

3rd (& subsequent) DUI Offense / Conviction - Felony

The penalty upon conviction of a third (& subsequent) DUI offense in Rhode Island:

BAC of 0.08% to less than 0.15% or Unknown BAC

• Fine: $400 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
• Jail: 1 to 3 years in jail
• License Suspension: 2 to 3 years drivers license suspension
• Ignition Interlock: ignition interlock restriction may be required for 2 years
• alcohol assessment and treatment as required
• possible vehicle forfeiture
• Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement

BAC of 0.15% or above

• Fine: $1,000 to $5,000 fine + $500 highway assessment fine
• Jail: 3 to 5 years in jail
• License Suspension: 3 years drivers license suspension
• Ignition Interlock: ignition interlock restriction may be required for 2 years
• alcohol assessment and treatment as required
• possible vehicle forfeiture
• Rhode Island SR22 insurance requirement

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Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws

It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Rhode Island and implied consent laws are enforced.

In Rhode Island, 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

• Fine: $200 to $500 fine
• License Suspension: 6 months to 1 year drivers license suspension
• 10 to 60 hours public community restitution

Second CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL

• Fine: $600 to $1,000 fine
• Jail: up to 6 months in jail
• License Suspension: 1 to 2 years drivers license suspension
• 60 to 100 hours public community restitution

Third (and subsequent) CHEMICAL TEST REFUSAL

• Fine: $800 to $1,000 fine
• Jail: up to 1 year in jail
• License Suspension: 2 to 5 years drivers license suspension
• 100 hours public community restitution

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What is the legal alcohol limit in Rhode Island

The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Rhode Island for driving are as follows:

ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Rhode Island it is an offense for adult drivers to drive any regular motor vehicle with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

DRIVERS UNDER 21 - BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
In the State of Rhode Island it is an offense for drivers under the age of 21 (minors) to drive any motor vehicle with 0.02% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.04%
In the State of Rhode Island it is an offense for drivers who drive commercial vehicles to drive any commercial motor vehicle with 0.04% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Rhode Island and implied consent laws are enforced.