Ohio DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties
Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Ohio
Ohio 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 Ohio, the law allows only 5 days for a Ohio DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Ohio BMV (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.
What are the penalties for DUI in Ohio?
The penalties for driving under the influence in Ohio will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.
In Ohio DUI is known as OVI (operating a vehicle intoxicated)
OH OVI DUI Penalties
Ohio is a state with a 6 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'
1st OVI / DUI Offense - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a first OVI / DUI offense in Ohio:
- Fines: $375 to $1,075
- Imprisonment: 3 days to 6 months in jail
- Administrative Drivers License Suspension: 3 months drivers license suspension
- Court Imposed Drivers License Suspension: 6 months to 3 years drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: may be eligible for ignition interlock restricted limited driving privileges after first 6 months of suspension
- Drivers intervention program
- Possible alcohol / drug assessment and treatment programs as required
- Assessed 6 points on drivers license
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
2nd OVI / DUI Offense - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a second OVI / DUI offense in Ohio:
- Fines: $525 to $1,625
- Imprisonment: 10 days to 6 months in jail
- Administrative Drivers License Suspension: 1 year drivers license suspension
- Court Imposed Drivers License Suspension: 1 to 5 years drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: may be eligible for ignition interlock restricted limited driving privileges after first year of suspension
- Possible house arrest with electronic monitoring and/or continuous alcohol monitoring
- Mandatory alcohol / drug assessment and treatment programs as required
- Possible vehicle immobilization and plates impounded for 90 days
- Assessed 6 points on drivers license
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
3rd OVI / DUI Offense - Misdemeanor
The penalty upon conviction of a third OVI / DUI offense in Ohio:
- Fines: $850 to $2,750
- Imprisonment: 30 days to 1 year in jail
- Administrative Drivers License Suspension: 2 years drivers license suspension
- Court Imposed Drivers License Suspension: 2 to 10 years drivers license suspension
- Ignition Interlock: may be eligible for ignition interlock restricted limited driving privileges after first 3 years of suspension
- Possible house arrest with electronic monitoring and/or continuous alcohol monitoring
- Mandatory alcohol / drug assessment and treatment programs as required
- Possible criminal vehicle forfeiture
- Assessed 6 points on drivers license
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
4th (and subsequent) OVI / DUI Offense - Felony
The penalty upon conviction of a fourth or subsequent OVI / DUI offense in Ohio:
- Fines: $1,350 to $10,500
- Imprisonment: 60 days to 5 years in jail
- Administrative Drivers License Suspension: 3 years drivers license suspension
- Court Imposed Drivers License Suspension: 3 years to lifetime drivers license suspension
- Possible house arrest with electronic monitoring and/or continuous alcohol monitoring
- Mandatory alcohol / drug assessment and treatment programs as required
- Possible criminal vehicle forfeiture
- Assessed 6 points on drivers license
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws
It is an offense in Ohio to refuse to submit to or fail to complete a chemical test when required to do so.
Chemical Test Refusal Penalties - Ohio
First Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 1 year drivers license suspension
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Second Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 2 years drivers license suspension
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Third Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 3 years drivers license suspension
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
Fourth Chemical Test Refusal
- Drivers License Suspension: 5 years drivers license suspension
- OH SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement
What is the legal alcohol limit in Ohio
The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Ohio for driving are as follows:
ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio and implied consent laws are enforced.
