How much do you have to drink (BAC*) for a DUI in the District of Columbia?

** BAC = blood alcohol content

How many drinks does it take? Check the BAC chart.

What if you refuse to take a chemical test in the District of Columbia?

the District of Columbia has an implied consent law. That means that if you refuse to submit to a chemical test you will be subject to a fine and automatic license suspension. Learn more about the District of Columbia’s implied consent law.

What is the minimum jail time?

Lookback Period: 15 years (Period of time that prior DUIs are relevant for sentencing. Also known as a “washout” period.)

Can you plead to a lesser offense than DUI in the District of Columbia?

A defendant might receive a "wet reckless," or a conviction of reckless driving involving alcohol, as a result of a plea bargain in which a charge of drunk driving is reduced to a case of reckless driving. There is no statutory provision on whether a wet reckless plea bargain will be accepted in the District of Columbia, but it's possible a lawyer may be able to create a plea bargain for you.

First DC DUI Offense

1st Drunk Driving Conviction

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

More Information: First Offense DUI in Washington, District of Columbia

Second DC DUI Offense

2nd Drunk Driving Conviction

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

More Information: Second Offense DUI in Washington D.C.

Important Note from the Editor

Disclaimer: We try to keep the information provided here up to date. However, laws often change, as do their interpretation and application. Different jurisdictions within a state may enforce the laws in different ways. For that reason, we recommended that you seek the advice of a local attorney familiar with DUI cases in your area.

Third DUI Offense

3rd Drunk Driving Conviction

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

More Information: Third Offense DUI in Washington D.C.

Drinking and Driving Laws in the District of Columbia

Washington D.C. Drunk Driving and Wet Reckless Laws - Nolo.com

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