Arkansas DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Arkansas
Arkansas 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 DUI in Arkansas, the law allows only 7 days for a Arkansas DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration (driver services) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for DUI in Arkansas?
The penalties for driving under the influence in Arkansas will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.
AR DUI Penalties
Arkansas 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 Arkansas:
- Fines: $150 to $1,000 + court costs
- Imprisonment: 24 hours to 1 year (community service may be issued in lieu of jail time)
- Drivers License Suspension: 6 month drivers license suspension (ignition interlock restricted drivers license may be issued immediately in certain circumstances)
- Ignition Interlock: Will be required to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a period equal to suspension period
- alcohol evaluation and attendance at treatment / education program
- Arkansas SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Arkansas:
- Fines: $400 to $3,000 + court costs
- Imprisonment: 7 days to 1 year (community service may be issued in lieu of jail time)
- Drivers License Suspension: 24 month drivers license suspension (ignition interlock restricted drivers license may be issued after 45 days in certain circumstances)
- Ignition Interlock: Will be required to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a period equal to suspension period
- alcohol evaluation and attendance at treatment / education program
- AR SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a third DUI offense in Arkansas:
- Fines: $900 to $5,000 + court costs
- Imprisonment: 90 days to 1 year (community service may be issued in lieu of jail time)
- Drivers License Suspension: 30 months drivers license suspension (ignition interlock restricted drivers license may be issued after 12 months in certain circumstances)
- Ignition Interlock: Will be required to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a period equal to suspension period
- alcohol evaluation and attendance at treatment / education program
- Arkansas SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
4th DUI Offense / Conviction - Felony
The penalty upon conviction of a fourth DUI offense in Arkansas:
- Fines: $900 to $5,000 + court costs
- Imprisonment: 1 year to 6 years
- Drivers License Revocation: 4 years drivers license revocation
- Ignition Interlock: Will be required to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a period equal to suspension period
- alcohol evaluation and attendance at treatment / education program
- Arkansas SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws
In Arkansas any person driving a motor vehicle is deemed to have given their consent for chemical testing of their breath, blood or urine in order to determine the alcohol content within their blood. It is an offense to refuse to submit or fail to complete a chemical test when required to do so.
Chemical Test Refusal Penalties - Arkansas
If a person refuses to submit to a chemical test in Alabama, evidence of the test refusal shall be admissible in any civil or criminal proceedings arising out of any acts alleged to have been committed while the person was driving or in actual physical control while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
First Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 180 days drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: Will be required to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a period equal to suspension period
- AR SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 2 year drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: Will be required to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a period equal to suspension period
- AR SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Third Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 30 month drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: Will be required to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) for a period equal to suspension period
- AR SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Fourth Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: permanent drivers license revocation
- AR SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Arkansas
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Arkansas for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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.
It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Arkansas and implied consent laws are enforced.
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