North Carolina DWI Laws and Penalties

In North Carolina, the consequences of a driving while impaired (DWI) conviction depend on many factors, including how many prior convictions you have. This article covers how North Carolina law defines DWI and the penalties you'll face in various circumstances.

North Carolina's DWI Laws

North Carolina prohibits driving a motor vehicle on any highway or public place:

• while under the influence of an impairing substance
• with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or more (.04% for drivers of commercial vehicles), or
• with any schedule one controlled substance (such as opiates) in your system.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-138.1, 20-138.2 (2025).)

Driving under the influence is usually referred to as "driving while impaired" or "DWI."

You Can Get a DWI Without Actually Driving

North Carolina has extended the term "driving" to include having "actual physical control" of a vehicle. So, depending on the specific circumstances, a driver can be convicted of a DWI without the vehicle being in motion. (State v. Mabe, 355 S.E.2d 186 (N.C. App. 1987).)

How "Under the Influence" Is Defined

A North Carolina driver is considered to be under the influence if the ingested substance has caused appreciable impairment to the driver's bodily or mental faculties. (State v. Norton, 712 S.E.2d 387 (N.C. App. 2011).)

Jail Time and Fines for DWI Convictions

The basic and "minimum" penalties for a DWI conviction are provided below. However, North Carolina's sentencing procedures for impaired driving convictions are complex. There are five levels (with five being the least severe).

DWI Aggravating and Mitigating Factors

A DWI conviction will be followed by a sentencing hearing. At this hearing, the prosecutor and defendant can present aggravating and mitigating evidence.

• Gross aggravating factors. "Gross aggravating" circumstances include causing serious injury, driving while revoked for DWI, and driving with a minor passenger during the commission of the DWI. A prior DWI within the last seven years is also a gross aggravating factor.
• Aggravating factors. "Aggravating" circumstances include having a BAC of at least .15%, reckless driving, causing a collision, eluding police, speeding at least 30 miles per hour over the limit, and passing a stopped school bus. Having two prior traffic violations and three demerit points are also aggravating factors.
• Mitigating factors. The driver can present evidence of a low BAC (.09% or less), that the impairing drug was prescribed, or that they were driving relatively safely. A driver can also submit to a mental health screening, 60 days of sobriety monitoring, or treatment before sentencing to create more mitigating factors. A driver also can voluntarily install and use an ignition interlock device on their vehicle before trial (but this mitigating factor isn't available to all DWI offenders).

Based on these factors, the judge will sentence the DWI offender under one of five levels. The judge will assign the jail term, fine, and other penalties according to each level's parameters. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

North Carolina's DWI Sentencing Levels

The following section covers the penalties for the different sentencing levels

Aggravated Level One DWI Sentencing

If the judge finds three or more gross aggravating factors, the driver will face:

• fines of up to $10,000, and
• 12 to 36 months in jail.

If the judge grants probation, the driver must serve at least 120 days in jail, submit to alcohol and drug monitoring during probation, and complete a drug and alcohol assessment and treatment program. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

Level One DWI Sentencing

A DWI with the gross aggravating factor of driving with a minor passenger or two other gross aggravating factors carries:

• up to $4,000 in fines, and
• 30 days to 24 months in jail.

The judge can grant probation, but the driver must still spend 10 days in jail, submit to sobriety monitoring, and complete a substance abuse assessment and treatment. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

Level Two DWI Sentencing

A DWI involving one gross aggravating factor will result in:

• up to $2,000 in fines, and
• 7 days to 12 months in jail.

The driver can avoid the minimum jail term by submitting to at least 90 days of monitored sobriety.

The judge will also order the completion of a drug and alcohol assessment, followed by treatment or some other rehabilitative course. A driver with a prior DWI within the last 5 years must complete 240 hours of community service. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

Levels Three, Four, and Five

If no gross aggravating factors exist, the judge will balance and weigh the aggravating and mitigating factors. If there are more aggravating factors than mitigating factors, a level three punishment will apply. If the factors are approximately balanced, the driver will receive a level four punishment. And if mitigating factors outweigh any aggravating factors, the judge will impose level five penalties.

Generally, the minimum jail time can be avoided by completing community service. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

All DWI convictions carry a mandatory substance abuse assessment, followed by the recommended treatment or rehabilitative course. The judge can permit time completed in inpatient treatment to count towards the required jail time. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179 (2025).)

License Suspensions for a DWI

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will revoke the driver's license of anyone convicted of a DWI. Following the revocation, the driver will be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID). The IID and revocation periods are listed below and depend on the number of prior offenses.

(N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-17, 20-17.8, 20-19 (2025).)

Early License Reinstatement

A driver can become eligible for early reinstatement by submitting to alcohol monitoring. A four-year revocation can be reduced to two years, and a permanent revocation can be restored after three years. A permanent revocation can also be restored after only 24 months if the driver has completed 12 successful months of monitored sobriety. Before license reinstatement, all drivers must submit a certificate of completion for treatment or the required substance abuse course. (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 20-17.6, 20-19 (2025).)

Getting a Restricted License to Drive During a DWI Suspension

First offenders (and some second offenders) are generally eligible for limited driving privileges during the revocation period. With limited privileges, the motorist can drive only to and from work, school, and church. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179.3 (2025).)

As conditions of obtaining limited privileges, the driver might be required to complete treatment and use an IID. For instance, a driver who had a BAC of .15% or more must have an IID installed. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-179.3 (2025).)

Is a DWI a Felony in North Carolina?

For most first, second, and third DWIs in North Carolina, an offender will be facing misdemeanor charges. But when an offender has 3 or more prior DWI convictions within the past 10 years, the current offense is considered "habitual impaired driving" and can be charged as a class F felony. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-138.5 (2025).)

DWI offenders who cause serious injuries to or the death of another person can be charged with a felony offense. Generally, DWIs involving serious injuries are class F felonies. DWIs that result in the death of someone are generally class D felonies. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-141.4 (2025).)

North Carolina's Underage DWI Laws

While all drivers can be convicted of a DWI, drivers younger than 21 can be convicted of a class 2 misdemeanor for driving with any amount of alcohol or drugs in their systems. A conviction carries up to $1,000 in fines and a maximum of 60 days in jail. The underage motorist's license will also be revoked until they turn 21 and complete all treatment requirements. (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 15A-1340.23, 20-13.2, 20-138.3 (2025).)

Implied Consent and Refusal

North Carolina's implied consent law requires all drivers to submit to a test of their blood or breath if a law enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe the motorist is in violation of the DWI laws. Refusing a chemical test could lead to a one-year license revocation. (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-16.2 (2025).)

Getting Help From an Attorney

Regardless of the type of charge, it's always best to talk to an experienced DWI attorney licensed in North Carolina. A qualified lawyer can tell you how the law applies to your situation and help you decide on the best course of action.