Connecticut DUI Laws
A Connecticut DUI charge can be a stressful experience. You may be worried about losing your driving privileges, your job and even your freedom. While the impact of a conviction can be serious, you can protect your rights by hiring a Connecticut DUI lawyer. Your DUI criminal defense attorney will analyze the evidence and explore all defenses available to you.
If you are arrested for DUI, you are subject to Administrative Per Se License Suspension (ALS) by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. The duration is at least six months and may increase depending on age, blood alcohol content (BAC), prior offenses and other factors. You may be required to complete a substance abuse treatment program in order to have your driver's license restored. Your right to contest the ALS is time sensitive so it is important to act quickly and contact an attorney.
ALS is independent of criminal penalties which may include fines, an ignition interlock device and mandatory jail time — even for first offenders. However, certain defendants may be eligible to participate in a Pretrial Alcohol Education Program in lieu of prosecution. Upon successful completion of this pretrial diversion program, the charges are dismissed and ultimately erased. To learn more about Connecticut DUI laws and how they apply to your case, contact a DUI attorney today.
Connecticut DUI/DWI (OUI) Laws and Penalties
State and federal laws in the United States are constantly changing. The following guide is intended solely for informational purposes and should not take the place of the advice of a lawyer. Only a qualified attorney can assess the merits of your case completely and provide an effective plan for counsel.
Blood Alcohol Content/Concentration ("BAC")
Connecticut BAC laws may differ from those of other states, as follows.
| Connecticut BAC Laws | |
| Per Se Violation | BAC of .08 or higher |
| "Zero Tolerance" (BAC for Someone Under 21) | .02 or higher |
| Commercial Driver's License Holder* | .04 or higher (while operating a commercial vehicle) |
| Implied Consent to Submit to a BAC Test |
|
Administrative License Suspension
Suspension by DMV: immediately following arrest for DUI/DWI; independent of court conviction and suspensions following a court conviction.
Time to file for appeal: within approximately seven days after DUI/DWI citation.
| DUI/DWI Arrest | |
| 1st Offense | 90 or 120 days license suspension, depending on BAC |
| Subsequent Offenses | 9 months to 2.5 years license suspension, depending on prior convictions and BAC |
| "Zero Tolerance" (BAC for someone under 21) | 6 months to 5 years license suspension, depending on age of driver and prior convictions |
| Temporary License | No |
| Administrative Hearing | Yes |
| Limited Privileges Possible | Yes |
| Refusal to Submit to BAC Test | |
| 1st Offense | 6 months license suspension |
| Subsequent Offenses | 1 or 3 years license suspension, depending on prior convictions |
| "Zero Tolerance" (BAC for someone under 21) | Between 1 and 6 years license suspension, depending on age of driver and prior convictions |
Criminal Court Conviction - Mandatory Fines and Penalties
(Penalties imposed by the criminal court system)
| First DUI/DWI Offense (prior to 1/1/12) | |
| License Suspension | 1 year (may have conditional license) |
| Prison Term and Community Service | 48 hours to 6 months in jail or 100 hours community service |
| Fines, Fees, and Surcharges | Approx. $500 to $1,000 or higher** |
| Vehicle Penalties | Potential impound or confiscation |
| Drug and Alcohol Education, Assessment and Treatment | Possible alcohol education and treatment |
If this is your first DUI/DWI offense in 10 years, you may be eligible for the Pretrial Alcohol Education System/Program. Successful completion of the program will get your DUI/DWI charge dismissed and you will avoid conviction.
| Second DUI/DWI Offense (prior to 1/1/12) | |
| License Suspension | 1 year (may have conditional license) |
| Prison Term and Community Service | 120 days to 2 years in jail; at least 100 days community service |
| Fines, Fees, and Surcharges | Approx. $1,000 to 4,000 or higher** |
| Vehicle Penalties |
|
| Drug and Alcohol Education, Assessment and Treatment | Possible alcohol education and treatment |
| Third DUI/DWI Offense (prior to 1/1/12) | |
| License Suspension | Permanent Revocation (may petition for reinstatement after 6 years) |
| Prison Term and Community Service | 1 to 3 years in jail; at least 100 hours community service |
| Fines, Fees, and Surcharges | Approx. $2,000 to $8,000 or higher** |
| Vehicle Penalties | Potential impound or confiscation |
| Drug and Alcohol Education, Assessment and Treatment | Possible alcohol education and treatment |
| First DUI/DWI Offense (after 1/1/12) | |
| License Suspension | 45 days (may have conditional license) |
| Prison Term and Community Service | At least 48 hours in jail or 100 hours community service |
| Fines, Fees, and Surcharges | Approx. $500 to $1,000 or higher** |
| Vehicle Penalties |
|
| Drug and Alcohol Education, Assessment and Treatment | Possible alcohol education and treatment |
If this is your first DUI/DWI offense in 10 years, you may be eligible for the Pretrial Alcohol Education System/Program. Successful completion of the program will get your DUI/DWI charge dismissed and you will avoid conviction.
| Second DUI/DWI Offense (after 1/1/12 and within 10 years of 1st offense) | |
| License Suspension | 45 days (may have conditional license) |
| Prison Term and Community Service | 120 days in jail; 100 hours community service |
| Fines, Fees, and Surcharges | Approx. $1,000 to $4,000 or higher** |
| Vehicle Penalties |
|
| Drug and Alcohol Education, Assessment and Treatment | Possible alcohol education and treatment |
| Third DUI/DWI Offense (after 1/1/12) | |
| License Suspension | Permanent Revocation (may petition for reinstatement after 6 years) |
| Prison Term and Community Service | 1 year in jail; 100 hours community service |
| Fines, Fees, and Surcharges | Approx. $2,000 to $8,000 or higher** |
| Vehicle Penalties | Potential impound or confiscation |
| Drug and Alcohol Education, Assessment and Treatment | Possible alcohol education and treatment |
| Aggravating Factors that Can Alter DUI/DWI Penalties*** |
| Vehicular Manslaughter |
| Driving with Children in the Car |
| Higher BAC (above the enhanced penalty) |
| Zero Tolerance DUI/DWI |
| Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs |
| Out-of-State DUI/DWI Convictions |
| Reckless Driving/Accident |
*Restrictions can be placed on a commercial driver's license for any DUI/DWI (even those received while driving non-commercial vehicles).
**Includes only fines, fees, and surcharges imposed by the court upon conviction; excludes court costs, attorneys' fees, mandatory treatment costs, bail, and increased insurance.
***A variety of factors in your specific DUI/DWI situation can alter your penalties beyond what is set out in law. This chart lists some of these aggravating factors.
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Governors Highway Safety Association, Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles