DUI Laws Home

Site Map | Privacy | FAQ | Find a DC DUI Attorney |

DUI Laws in the District of Columbia

Read Do I Really Need a DUI Attorney?

See DUI Calculator or DC SR22 Insurance

DC - DUI Fines & Penalties

1st DC DUI Offense

First Drunk Driving Conviction

Jail – 90 Days Maximum
Fine – From $300 to $1,000
License – 6 Month Suspension

2nd DC DUI Offense

Second Drunk Driving Conviction

Jail – 1 Year Maximum
Fine – From $1,000 to $5,000
License – 1 Year Suspension

3rd DUI Offense

Third Drunk Driving Conviction

Jail – 1 Year Maximum
Fine – From $2,000 to $10,000
License – 2 Year Suspension

Our Sponsor Provides Free SR-22 Auto Insurance Quotes

Custom Search

Drinking and Driving Laws in the District of Columbia

It is illegal in the District of Columbia to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above. The .08 percent limit is the standard measurement used by all states for the "impaired" driver. Washington DC has a Zero Tolerance for drivers under the age of 21. This means that if you are under the age of 21 you are not allowed to have any measurable alcohol in your system. The Washington DC DUI / DWI law also includes driving under the influence of controlled substances such as marijuana, cocaine, inhalants and other drugs.

How many drinks does it take to reach the legal limit in Washington DC?

This question is usually asked by people who want to know how many drinks it would take to reach the .08 limit. There are charts and calculators to help you determine the number of drinks it would take to reach the .08 BAC limit, however these tools do not factor in all variables that contribute to the BAC equation.

The best answer is not to drink and drive . The Washington DC has strict laws for drunk driving, and when you drink and drive in Washington DC, you risk your freedom, finances and your future.

The first time your are convicted of a DUI / DWI in Washington DC you will receive a fine between $300 and $1,000. You may also receive up to 90 days in jail and a 6 Month license revocation.

The second time you are convicted of a DUI / DWI in the District of Columbia you will receive a fine between $1,000 and $5,000. You could receive up to 1 year in jail and have your license suspended for 1 Year.

If you are convicted of a 3rd DUI / DWI in Washington DC you will receive a fine between $2,000 and $10,000. You may receive a sentence of 1 year in Jail and have your license suspended for 2 Years.

Drunk Driving Laws in Washington DC

Washington DC BAC Laws:

All drivers with a BAC of .08 or higher.
Under 21 = ZERO Tolerance
Commercial Vehicle Driver with a BAC of .04 or higher.

The Implied Consent Law in Washington DC

The implied consent law in Washington DC deems that any person operating a motor vehicle within the District of Columbia agrees to provide chemical tests of their blood, urine or breath for the purpose of determining either blood alcohol content (BAC) or blood drug content. The arresting officer must have "reasonable grounds" to believe that the driver was operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you refuse a DUI / DWI test, your driver license will be suspended for up to 1 year on the first refusal.

District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Website - DUI Penalties

Other Washington DC Information on this Website

Washington DC Teen Driving Laws and Insurance Requirements

Washington DC Cell Phone Driving Laws