Hawaii DUI / OVUII Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Hawaii
Driving under the influence (DUI) in Hawaii is also know as operating a vehicle under the influence of and intoxicant (OVUII)
Hawaii 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 Hawaii, the law allows only 14 days for a Hawaii DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Administrative Drivers License Revocation Office (ADLRO) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for DUI in Hawaii?
The penalties for driving under the influence in Hawaii will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.
HI OVUII / DUI Penalties
Hawaii is a state with a 5 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'
1st DUI / OVUII Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a first OVUII / DUI offense in Hawaii:
- Fines: $150 to $1,000
- Imprisonment: 48 hours to 5 days
- Drivers License Revocation: 1 year drivers license revocation (conditional ignition interlock restricted license may be available after first 30 days of revocation period)
- 72 hours community service
- attendance at a substance abuse program for 14 hours minimum
- HI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd DUI / OVUII Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Hawaii:
- Fines: $500 to $1,500
- Imprisonment: 5 to 14 days (240 hours community service may be given in lieu of jail time)
- Drivers License Revocation: 1 to 2 years drivers license revocation
- attendance at a substance abuse program
- HI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd DUI / OVUII Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a third DUI offense in Hawaii:
- Fines: $500 to $2,500
- Imprisonment: 10 to 30 days
- Drivers License Revocation: 1 to 5 years drivers license revocation
- attendance at a substance abuse program
- possible forfeiture of vehicle
- HI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
4th DUI / OVUII Conviction - Felony
The penalty upon conviction of a fourth DUI offense in Hawaii:
- Fines: amount at courts discretion
- Imprisonment: up to 5 years
- Drivers License Revocation: lifetime drivers license revocation
- up to 5 years probation
- possible forfeiture of vehicle
- HI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws

In Hawaii it is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test that will result in a loss of driving privileges.
Chemical Test Refusal Penalties - Hawaii
First Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 year drivers license revocation
- HI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: 2 years drivers license revocation
- HI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Third Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: 4 years drivers license revocation
- HI SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Hawaii
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Hawaii for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii and implied consent laws are enforced.
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