Washington D.C. has a zero-tolerance alcohol policy for drivers who are under the age of 21. And the penalties for an underage DWI are the same as those for a standard DWI.
This article covers Washington D.C.'s underage DUI laws and conviction penalties.
The District of Columbia has three types of impaired driving violations:
So, Washington D.C. is a "zero tolerance" jurisdiction—meaning, drivers who are under the age of 21 aren't allowed to have any alcohol in their system while operating a vehicle.
But it's important to note that underage drivers can be conviction of a standard DUI or OWI if their level of intoxication meets either of the relevant standards described above.
In many jurisdictions, the penalties for an underage DUI are different than those that apply to drivers who are at least 21 years old. However, in Washington D.C., the consequences of an underage DWI are identical to those for a standard DWI.
1st Offense |
2nd Offense |
3rd Offense |
|
Jail |
Up to 180 days |
10 days to 1 year |
15 days to 1 year |
Fines |
$1,000 |
$2,500 to $5,000 |
$2,500 to $10,000 |
Ignition Interlock Device (IID) |
6 months |
One year |
Two years |
Underage motorists who are cited for driving with a particularly high BAC face the following additional penalties:
Underage drivers who are caught operating a vehicle with a schedule I controlled substances, such as heroin or cocaine, in their body will receive an additional ten days of mandatory jail time.
A third DWI conviction within five years will result in license revocation for five years. But the driver may be eligible for a restricted license during the revocation period.
All Washington D.C. drivers, regardless of age, are subject to the territory's implied consent laws. These laws require all drivers who are lawfully arrested for driving under the influence to submit to a test to determine the presence of alcohol and/or drugs.
An unlawful refusal will result in a 12-month license revocation.
Regardless of your age, if you've been arrested for driving under the influence, you should get in contact with a D.C. DUI attorney. An experienced DUI lawyer can review your case and help you decide on how best to handle your situation.