Washington D.C.'s DUI Laws and Penalties

Third-Offense DUI and DWI Penalties in D.C.

For a third DUI or DWI conviction in Washington D.C., the driver is generally looking at:

• 15 days to 1 year in jail
• a license suspension (see below), and
• $2,500 to $10,000 in fines.

These penalties apply if the driver has two prior OWI, DUI, or DWI convictions that occurred within the past 15 years. A court also may place the driver on probation. (D.C. Code §§ 50-2206.01, 2206.13 (2025).)

Third offenders are also required to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation and to comply with any recommended treatment programs. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.54 (2025).)

D.C.'s DUI and DWI Penalty Enhancements

DUIs and DWIs that include an especially high BAC or certain drugs carry more serious penalties than standard offenses.

D.C.'s Enhanced DUI and DWI Penalties for an Elevated BAC for a First Offense

For a first offense, drivers will receive the following additional sentence for a high BAC:

Drivers with a BAC of at least .20% will serve an additional 10 days of mandatory jail time. Drivers with a BAC of at least .25% will serve an additional 15 days of mandatory jail time. And drivers with a BAC of at least .30% will serve an additional 20 days of mandatory jail time. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.13 (2025).)

D.C.'s Enhanced DUI and DWI Penalties for an Elevated BAC for Second and Subsequent Offenses

Drivers will receive the following additional sentence for a high BAC if they have one or more prior OWI, DUI, or DWI convictions:

Drivers with a BAC of at least .20% will serve an additional five days of mandatory jail time. Drivers with a BAC of at least .25% will serve an additional 10 days of mandatory jail time. And drivers with a BAC of at least .30% will serve an additional 15 days of mandatory jail time. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.13 (2025).)

D.C.'s Enhanced DUI and DWI Penalties for Certain Drugs

Drivers who had any amount of a Schedule I controlled substance, such as heroin or cocaine, in their systems will receive an additional 15 days in jail for a first offense, 20 days for a second offense, and 25 days for a third offense. These additional jail sentences are mandatory. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.13 (2025).)

D.C.'s Enhanced DUI and DWI Penalties for Third and Subsequent Offenses

If a driver has three or more prior convictions for OWI, DUI, or DWI, the court will impose an additional 30-day mandatory jail sentence. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.13 (2025).)

OWI Penalties in Washington D.C.

The penalties for an OWI conviction are generally less severe than those for a DUI or DWI conviction.

First-Offense OWI Penalties in D.C.

For a first OWI conviction in Washington D.C., the driver is generally looking at:

• up to 90 days in jail
• a license suspension (see below), and
• a $500 fine.

(D.C. Code § 50-2206.15 (2025).)

These penalties apply if the driver has no prior OWI, DUI, or DWI convictions that occurred within the past 15 years. A court also may place the driver on probation. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.01 (2025).)

Second-Offense OWI Penalties in D.C.

For a second OWI conviction in Washington D.C., the driver is generally looking at:

• five days to one year in jail
• a license suspension (see below), and
• $1,000 to $2,500 in fines.

These penalties apply if the driver has one prior OWI, DUI, or DWI convictions that occurred within the past 15 years. A court also may place the driver on probation. (D.C. Code §§ 50-2206.01, 2206.15 (2025).)

Second offenders are also required to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation and to comply with any recommended treatment programs. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.54 (2025).)

Third-Offense OWI Penalties in D.C.

For a third or subsequent OWI conviction in Washington D.C., the driver is generally looking at:

• 10 days to 1 year in jail
• a license suspension (see below), and
• $1,000 to $5,000 in fines.

These penalties apply

if the driver has two or more prior OWI, DUI, or DWI convictions that occurred within the past 15 years. A court also may place the driver on probation. (D.C. Code §§ 50-2206.01, 2206.15 (2025).)

Third offenders are also required to complete an alcohol and drug evaluation and to comply with any recommended treatment programs. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.54 (2025).)

D.C.'s Enhanced DUI, DWI, and OWI Penalties for Child Passengers

A driver who's convicted of DUI, DWI, or OWI will face additional penalties for having a minor passenger at the time of the offense. The driver will receive an additional $500 to $1,000 fine and a mandatory five days in jail for each minor in the vehicle. The jail penalty becomes ten days per child if the children are not properly restrained. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.18 (2025).)

Driver's License Revocation and Ignition Interlocks for DUIs, DWIs, and OWIs in D.C.

License-related penalties can result from an OWI, DUI, or DWI conviction or refusing to take an alcohol or drug test.

License-Related Penalties for Impaired Driving Convictions in D.C.

Drivers convicted of an OWI, DWI, or DUI will have their licenses restricted by the department. (D.C. Code § 50-2206.55 (2025).)

The driver must install and maintain an ignition interlock device (IID) for:

• six months for a first offense
• one year for a second offense, and
• two years for a third offense.

(D.C. Code § 50-2201.05a (2025).)

A third OWI, DUI, or DWI conviction that occurs within five years of the priors will also result in a five-year license revocation. Any offense that involves bodily injury, death, or a felony will result in permanent license revocation. (D.C. Code §§ 50–2206.13, 2206.15, 2206.55 (2025).)

Administrative License-Related Consequences for Refusing Testing in D.C.

D.C.'s implied consent law states all drivers are deemed to have consented to a test of their breath, blood, or urine to determine the presence of alcohol or drugs. A driver who unlawfully refuses a test will be subject to a 12-month driver's license revocation. (D.C. Code § 50-1905 (2025).)

The refusal can also be used against the driver in a DUI trial. If the driver had a prior DUI conviction, a test refusal creates a presumption that the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. (D.C. Code § 50-1905 (2025).)

D.C.'s Underage DWI Law and Penalties

The District of Columbia has a zero-tolerance policy for motorists younger than 21. An underage driver is considered intoxicated—and can be convicted of DWI—with any measurable amount of alcohol. The penalties for an underage DWI generally are the same as the penalties for a standard DWI. (See the penalties for first, second, and third offenses above.) (D.C. Code § 50-2206.01 (2025).)

Getting Help From a Washington D.C. DUI Lawyer

A DUI, DWI, or DUI conviction in Washington D.C. carries serious consequences. So, if you've been arrested for driving under the influence, you should get in contact with a qualified DUI lawyer who can help. An experienced DUI attorney can review your case and advise you on your rights and options.