Third-Offense DWI in North Carolina

Read about the administrative and criminal penalties for a third-offense DWI in North Carolina.

By , Attorney George Mason University Law School
Updated 12/30/2025

North Carolina's DWI law prohibits driving or being in control of a vehicle while:

(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-138.1 (2025).)

North Carolina is known as one of the toughest states on DWI offenders. Unlike other states, North Carolina doesn't have separate and distinct penalties for first, second, and third DWIs. Instead, North Carolina DWI offenders are sentenced based on a sliding scale. The scale includes six levels of DWI, with aggravated level I being the most serious and level V the least serious. Any prior DWI convictions are considered aggravating factors that will increase the seriousness of the charge. Therefore, each prior DWI conviction counts as a separate aggravating factor that enhances the driver's sentence.

What Is Considered a Third-Offense DWI in North Carolina?

When counting the number of DWI convictions, North Carolina uses different lookback periods for different purposes.

DWI level. When determining whether a prior conviction counts as an aggravating factor for calculating sentencing levels, North Carolina considers a DWI conviction to be a third offense if the driver has two prior DWI convictions that occurred within the past seven years. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

License suspension. When determining the length of a license suspension, North Carolina considers a DWI to be a third offense if the driver has two prior convictions and the most recent offense is within five years of the current offense. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-19 (2025).)

Habitual offender. A driver can be charged with a felony habitual driving while impaired if they have 3 prior convictions within 10 years. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-138.5 (2025).)

Administrative penalties are those imposed by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. These are entirely separate from any criminal penalties the offender might face if convicted in criminal court. In North Carolina, the primary administrative penalty DWI offenders face is license revocation. There are two types of revocation: a civil suspension at the time of arrest and a criminal suspension upon conviction.

First, any driver who is stopped for suspicion of DWI and refuses to submit to a breath test or has a BAC of .08% or higher is looking at immediate revocation for 30 days. After being convicted of a third DWI, the North Carolina DMV will automatically and permanently suspend the driver's license if the most recent prior offense is within five years of the current offense. (A driver who refuses chemical testing can have their license revoked for one year, even if they're found not guilty of DWI.) However, after three years, the offender can petition the DMV for license reinstatement. A driver with a permanent license revocation who has completed 12 successful months of monitored sobriety may petition for license reinstatement after only 24 months. Before license reinstatement, all drivers must submit a certificate of completion for treatment or the required substance abuse course. (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-16.2, 20-16.5, 20-17.6, 20-19 (2025).)

If the license is reinstated, it's likely the DMV will require that the driver have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed before license reinstatement. The IID requires the driver to blow into a machine that detects breath alcohol before the car will start. The offender must pay for the installation and monthly service charges for the device. Additionally, the DMV might mandate that the motorist only drive during certain times and for certain reasons, such as driving to and from work or school. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179.3 (2025).)

Additionally, offenders who are arrested for a third DWI while their license was revoked for a prior impaired driving conviction might face immediate vehicle seizure. This seizure happens at the time of arrest, rather than after the case goes to trial. If the offender is later convicted of the third DWI and the judge determines the offense was committed while the driver's license was revoked for an impaired driving conviction, the vehicle will be forfeited to the local school board. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-28.3 (2025).)

Criminal Penalties for a Third-Offense DWI in North Carolina

The criminal penalties DWI offenders face depend on the classification level of the offense. Most third-offense DWIs are classified at level II or I. North Carolina uses aggravating and mitigating factors to determine the sentencing level. Prior DWI convictions are considered aggravating factors. An offender who's convicted of a third DWI anytime within seven years of the second DWI conviction will, at a minimum, be sentenced as a level II offender. And if both of the prior convictions are within the past seven years, the offender will be punished at level I. Any additional aggravating factors present, such as a child being in the vehicle at the time of the offense, will make the offense an aggravated level I.

Jail Time for a Third DWI in North Carolina

North Carolina law specifies the minimum and maximum jail sentences for DWI offenders, and the minimum jail sentence for even the least serious offense classification (level V) is 24 hours. The minimums, however, are somewhat misleading because the court can "suspend" the sentence for level V, IV, and III offenses—meaning the driver doesn't actually have to serve the time in jail. Here are the possible jail times corresponding to offense level:

  • Level V: 24 hours to 60 days
  • Level IV: 48 hours to 120 days
  • Level III: 72 hours to 6 months
  • Level II: 7 days to 1 year
  • Level I: 30 days to 2 years
  • Aggravated Level I: 1 to 3 years

(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

And an offender who has had 3 prior DWI convictions within 10 years can be charged with habitual driving while impaired, which is a Class F felony punishable by a mandatory minimum of 1 year in jail. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-138.5 (2025).)

Fines for a Third DWI in North Carolina

In general, a standard third-offense DWI in North Carolina carries fines ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. As with jail time, fine amounts are based on the DWI level. Here are the maximum fines:

  • Level V: $200
  • Level IV: $500
  • Level III: $1,000
  • Level II: $2,000
  • Level I: $4,000
  • Aggravated Level I: $10,000

(N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

Probation for a Third DWI in North Carolina

In some circumstances, a judge might suspend a DWI sentence and, instead, impose a term of probation. Conditions of probation often include jail time (to be served on a schedule set by the offender's probation officer), community service, and participation in a drug and alcohol evaluation program. However, the judge has limited authority to sentence a level II, level I, or aggravated level I offender to probation. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

Substance Abuse Assessment for North Carolina DWI Offenders

All North Carolina impaired driving offenders must complete a substance abuse assessment and comply with any recommended treatment before their driver's license will be restored. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

The consequences of DWI are serious. If you've been arrested or charged for DWI, you should talk to an experienced DWI attorney right away. A DWI attorney in your area can help you understand how the law applies to the facts of your case and advise you on what to do next. Depending on the circumstances of your case, an attorney might be able to negotiate a plea bargain for a lesser charge, such as "reckless driving."

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