Idaho DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Idaho
Idaho 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 Idaho, the law allows only 7 days for a Idaho DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Idaho DMV (Department of Transportation) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for DUI in Idaho?
The penalties for driving under the influence in Idaho will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.
ID DUI Penalties
Idaho 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 Idaho:
- Fines: up to $1,000
- Imprisonment: up to 6 months in jail
- Drivers License Suspension: 90 to 180 days drivers license suspension (may be eligible for ignition interlock restricted drivers license after 30 days)
- Ignition Interlock: may be ordered to install ignition interlock device (IID) upon license reinstatement for a period of time not to exceed the length of time person is on probation for the offense
- alcohol evaluation and treatment
- ID SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
1st offense enhanced penalties for BAC of 0.20%+
- Fines: up to $2,000
- Imprisonment: 10 days to 1 year in jail
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 year drivers license suspension (no restricted license available during suspension)
- Ignition Interlock: must install ignition interlock device (IID) upon license reinstatement for a period of time not to exceed the length of time person is on probation for the offense
- alcohol evaluation and treatment
- ID SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Idaho:
- Fines: up to $2,000
- Imprisonment: 10 days to 1 year in jail
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 year drivers license suspension (no restricted license available during suspension)
- Ignition Interlock: must install ignition interlock device (IID) upon license reinstatement for a period of time not to exceed the length of time person is on probation for the offense
- alcohol evaluation and treatment
- ID SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd offense enhanced penalties for BAC of 0.20%+ FELONY
- Fines: up to $5,000
- Imprisonment: minimum 30 days in county jail, up to 5 years in state penitentiary
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 to 5 years drivers license suspension (no restricted license available during suspension)
- Ignition Interlock: must install ignition interlock device (IID) upon license reinstatement for a period of time not to exceed the length of time person is on probation for the offense
- alcohol evaluation and treatment
- ID SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd (or subsequent) DUI Offense / Conviction - Possible Felony
The penalty upon conviction of a third (or subsequent) DUI offense in Idaho:
- Fines: up to $5,000
- Imprisonment: up to 5 years in state penitentiary
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 to 5 years drivers license suspension (no restricted license available during suspension)
- Ignition Interlock: must install ignition interlock device (IID) upon license reinstatement for a period of time not to exceed the length of time person is on probation for the offense
- alcohol evaluation and treatment
- ID SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws

In Idaho 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 blood alcohol test when required to do so.
Chemical Test Refusal Penalties - Idaho
In addition to punishments for DUI the penalties for refusing to submit to a chemical test in Idaho are:
First Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 year drivers license suspension
- $250 civil penalty
- ID SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Revocation: 2 year drivers license suspension
- $250 civil penalty
- ID SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Idaho
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Idaho for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho 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 Idaho and implied consent laws are enforced.
Blackfoot, Boise, Burley, Caldwell, Coeur d Alene, Eagle, Fruitland, Grangeville, Hailey, Hayden, Idaho Falls, Kellogg, Ketchum, Lewiston, McCall, Meridian, Moscow, Mountain Home, Nampa, Pocatello, Priest River, Rexburg, Rigby, Rupert, Salmon, Sandpoint, Twin Falls.
Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bear Lake, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary, Butte, Camas, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Shoshone, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley, Washington.