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DUI Laws in North Carolina

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North Carolina Drunk Driving Fines & Penalties

1st DWI Offense

First Drunk Driving Conviction

The first drunk driving conviction you receive in the State of North Carolina could cost you up to $2,000 in fines and up to 24 months imprisonment. Your drivers license will also be suspended for a mandatory period of 1 year. The court may also order you to perform 24 hours of community service and not allow a limited drivers license for 30 days.

2nd DWI Offense

Second Drunk Driving Conviction

If your second drunk driving conviction is within 3 years of your first, your drivers license will be revoked for a mandatory period of 4 years. You will also face up to $2,000 in fines and up to 24 months imprisonment. A limited drivers license will not be allowed if the conviction occurs within 7 years of the first conviction.

3rd DWI Offense

Third Drunk Driving Conviction

If either one of the prior drunk driving convictions occurred within the previous 5 years you will face a permanent revocation of your drivers license. You will also face up to $2,000 in fines and up to 24 months imprisonment.

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4th DWI Offense

Fourth Drunk Driving Conviction

If the 3 previous DUI's occurred within the past 7 years your drivers license will be permanently revoked. The conviction will be considered a felony if the 3 previous convictions occurred within the past 7 years. You will also face a minimum punishment of 1 year imprisonment up to 3 years imprisonment and a fine.

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Drinking and Driving Laws in North Carolina

The State of North Carolina prohibits the operation of a motor vehicle by any driver with a .08 percent or above blood alcohol concentration (BAC). The .08 percent limit is the standard benchmark across the United States for the "impaired" driver. North Carolina has lower limits for drivers under the age of 21 and commercial drivers. Minors that are convicted for driving with any amount of drugs or alcohol in their system will have their drivers license suspended for one year.

How many drinks does it take to reach the legal limit in North Carolina?

It is difficult to estimate with any certainty how many drinks it takes to reach the .08 percentage limit. There are calculators and charts that can be used as a reference, however these tools do not always consider some of the variables that contribute to a BAC score. There have been studies that have shown that a persons BAC score could go up as much as .05 percent for each drink consumed, but this isn't the case with every driver.

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

Drunk Driving Laws in North Carolina

State of North Carolina 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 North Carolina

The implied consent law in North Carolina means that you agree to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath or urine if an officer of the laws suspects that you are driving while intoxicated. If you refuse such a test your drivers license will be immediately suspended for 30 days followed by a hearing in which the court could suspend your drivers license for an additional 12 months.

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