Connecticut DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of OUI / DUI in Connecticut
Connecticut 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 Connecticut, the law allows only 7 days for a Connecticut DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Connecticut DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for DUI in Connecticut?
The penalties for driving under the influence in Connecticut will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.
CT DUI Penalties
Connecticut is a state with a 10 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'
NOTE: A first time offender charged with DUI may apply to the court for admission to the Pretrial Alcohol Education Program. The applicant must state under oath that he or she has not been in the program in the preceding ten years. The court must dismiss the DUI charges if the driver satisfactorily completes the program.
1st DUI Offense - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a first DUI offense in Connecticut:
- Fines: $500 to $1,000
- Imprisonment: up to 6 months (may be suspended in lieu of probation with 100 hours community service)
- Drivers License Suspension: 45 days drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: 1 year ignition interlock restriction upon license reinstatement
- must complete a DMV approved substance abuse treatment program before full drivers license will be restored
- possible participation in a victim impact panel program
- CT SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd DUI Offense - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Connecticut:
- Fines: $1,000 to $4,000
- Imprisonment: up to 2 years (120 days minimum mandatory)
- Drivers License Suspension: 45 days drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: 3 year ignition interlock restriction upon license reinstatement (2 years if driver under 21)
- probation with 100 hours mandatory community service
- must complete a DMV approved substance abuse treatment program before full drivers license will be restored
- possible participation in a victim impact panel program
- CT SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd DUI Offense - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a third (or subsequent) DUI offense in Connecticut:
- Fines: $2,000 to $8,000
- Imprisonment: up to 3 years (1 year minimum mandatory)
- Drivers License Revocation: permanent drivers license revocation (may request hearing after 2 years in order to request reinstatement of driving privileges)
- Ignition Interlock: if drivers license reinstated, a permanent ignition interlock restriction will apply (DMV commissioner may lift IID requirement after 15 years)
- probation with 100 hours mandatory community service
- must complete a DMV approved substance abuse treatment program before full drivers license will be restored
- possible participation in a victim impact panel program
- CT SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws
In Connecticut 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 - Connecticut
First Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: 45 days drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: must install and maintain an ignition interlock device (IID) on all vehicles owned or operated for a period of 1 year upon license reinstatement
- CT SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: 45 days drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: must install and maintain an ignition interlock device (IID) on all vehicles owned or operated for a period of 3 years upon license reinstatement
- CT SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Third Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: permanent drivers license revocation (may request hearing after 2 years in order to request reinstatement of driving privileges)
- Ignition Interlock: if drivers license reinstated, a permanent ignition interlock restriction will apply (DMV commissioner may lift IID requirement after 15 years)
- CT SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Connecticut
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Connecticut for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Connecticut 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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut it is an offense for commercial drivers to drive any 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 Connecticut and implied consent laws are enforced.
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