Rhode Island DUI Laws

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The maximum prescribed legal BAC limit in Rhode Island is 0.08% per se
(effective from Jul 2nd 2003)

(If you’ve been charged with Rhode Island DUI, the law allows only 15 days for your Rhode Island DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Rhode Island DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) for a hearing to save your driving license)

Rhode Island DUI cases may be referred to as drunk driving, driving under the influence (DUI), operating under the influence (OUI) or the new driving after imbibing (DAI).

Rhode Island DUI Laws and BAC limits

ALL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Rhode Island 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 = 0.02%
It is a crime for persons under 21 years of age to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content - concentration) of 0.02% or above.

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

Rhode Island 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 DUI - Drunk Driving in Rhode Island

Rhode Island 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 DUI, that driver will be considered a first-time offender. If a driver commits a DUI within five years of the first DUI, they are considered guilty of a second offense and are subjected to harsher punishments.

First DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a first DUI - drunk driving conviction in Rhode Island:

• $100 to $300 fine
• up to 1 year in jail
• 10 to 60 hours of community service
• 30 to 180 days drivers license suspension
• possible attendance at driving while intoxicated course
• SR22 insurance requirement

Second DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - MISDEMEANOR

The penalty for a second DUI - drunk driving conviction in Rhode Island:

• minimum $400 fine
• 10 days to 1 year in jail
• 1 to 2 years drivers license suspension
• possible attendance at driving while intoxicated course
• possible ignition interlock restriction for a period of 1 to 2 years
• SR22 insurance requirement

Third DUI - Drunk Driving Conviction - Felony

The penalty for a third DUI - drunk driving conviction in Rhode Island:

• minimum $400 fine
• at least 1 year in jail
• 2 to 3 years drivers license suspension
• possible attendance at driving while intoxicated course
• possible ignition interlock restriction for a period of 1 to 2 years
• possible seizure and sale of vehicle
• SR22 insurance requirement

penalties will be increased with a BAC level of 0.16% or above

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Implied consent LAWS

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

Penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Rhode Island

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.

If you refuse to submit to such a test, your license will be suspended immediately for 90 days. There will also be other penalties such as community service, a fine, and drunk driving school or a alcohol treatment program. In addition to these penalties you can also be convicted of a DWI if the officer convinces the court that you were intoxicated at the time of the refusal.

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Rhode Island SR22 insurance (high Risk DUI SR22 Insurance)

Rhode Island auto insurance quotes ZIP Code

Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island auto insurance in a matter of minutes.

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

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

• $25,000 bodily injury liability (BIL) per person
• $50,000 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 Rhode Island Lawyer

OR

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

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

Useful Rhode Island DUI Links:

DUI - Drunk Driving Laws in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Drivers Manual

Rhode Island SR22 Insurance Requirement

Rhode Island (DMV) Division of Motor Vehicles

Rhode Island Department of Transportation

Rhode Island State Courts (Judiciary of Rhode Island)

Rhode Island Department of Insurance Regulation

Rhode Island DUI Lawyers

Rhode Island DUI discussion forum

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