The consequences of a first-offense DUI (driving under the influence) vary by state. (Some states use other terms like "DWI" (driving while intoxicated) or "OUI" (operating under the influence) instead of DUI.) Common penalties include jail time, community service, fines, license suspension, and having to install an ignition interlock device (IID) in your vehicle. The minimum penalties for a first-offense DUI are often increased if you had a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) (usually .15% or more) or were involved in an accident where someone was injured.
Here are some of the penalties for a first DUI in each state. These penalties are for standard DUIs (without an elevated BAC or other aggravated factors). If a motorist had a high BAC, was in an accident, or had a minor in the car, these penalties likely will be higher. An IID might not be required for a first offense in your state, but it often is required to obtain a restricted license during the license suspension period:
State | Minimum Jail | Fines & Fees | Minimum License Suspension | Ignition Interlock Device Required |
Alabama | Up to 1 year | $600 to $2,100 | 90 Days | No |
Alaska | Min. 72 hours | $1,500 | Min. 90 days | Yes |
Arizona | Min. 24 hours | $250 base fine | 90 days | Yes |
Arkansas | 24 hours to 1 year | $150 to $1,000 | 6 months | Yes |
California | 4 days to 6 months | $390 to $1,000 | 6 months | Yes, in some counties |
Colorado | Up to 1 year (DUI), or up to 180 days (DWAI) | Up to $1,000 (DUI), or up to $500 (DWAI) | 9 months (DUI), none for DWAI | No |
Connecticut | 2 days up to 6 months | $500 to $1,000 | 45 days | Yes |
Delaware | Max. 6 months | $500 to $1,500 | 1 to 2 years | Yes |
D.C. | Max 180 days | $1,000 | 6 months | Yes |
Florida | Max 6 months | $500 to $1,000 | 180 days to 1 year | No |
Georgia | 24 hours to 1 year | $300 to $1,000 | Up to 1 year | No |
Hawaii | 48 hours to 5 days | $250 to $1,000 | 1 year to 18 months | Yes |
Idaho | Up to 6 months | Up to $1,000 | 90 to 180 days | Yes |
Illinois | Up to 1 year | Up to $2,500 | Min. 1 year | Yes |
Indiana | 60 days to 1 year | $500 to $5,000 | Up to 2 years | No |
Iowa | 48 hours up to 1 year | $625 to $1,250 | 180 days | Yes, to obtain a temporary restricted license |
Kansas | 48 hours | $750 to $1,000 | 30 days | Yes |
Kentucky | 48 hours | $200 to $500 | 6 months | No |
Louisiana | 10 days to 6 months | $300 to $1,000 | 12 months | No |
Maine | Up to 1 year | $500 | 150 days | No |
Maryland | Up to 1 year (DUI); up to 2 months (DWI) | Up to $1,000 (DUI); up to $500 (DWI) | Min 6 months (DUI & DWI) | Yes |
Massachusetts | Up to 30 months | $500 to $5,000 | 1 year | No |
Michigan | Up to 93 days | From $100 to $500 | Up to 6 months | No |
Minnesota | 48 hours | $1,000 | 30 to 90 days | No |
Mississippi | Up to 48 hours | $250 to $1,000 | 120 days | No |
Missouri | Up to 6 months | Up to $1,000 | 30 days | No |
Montana | 2 days to 6 months | $600 to $1,000 | 6 months | No |
Nebraska | 7 to 60 days | Up to $500 | Up to 6 months | No |
Nevada | 2 days to 6 months | $400 to $1,000 | 185 days | Yes |
New Hampshire | None | $500 to $1,200 | 9 months | No |
New Jersey | Up to 30 days | $250 to $400 | 3 months | Yes |
New Mexico | Up to 90 days | Up to $500 | Up to 1 year | Yes |
New York | Up to 1 year | $500 to $1,000 | 6 months | Yes |
North Carolina | 24 hours (for level 5 offenders) | $200 (for level 5 offenders) | 60 days to 1 year | No |
North Dakota | Up to 30 days | $500 | 91 to 180 days | No |
Ohio | 3 days to 6 months | $375 to $1,075 | 1 to 3 years | No |
Oklahoma | 10 days to 1 year | Up to $1,000 | 30 days | No |
Oregon | 2 days or 80 hours community service | $1,000 | 1 year | Yes |
Pennsylvania | None, unless BAC is above 0.10 | $300 | No, unless BAC is above 0.10 | Yes, if refusal to take a chemical test |
Rhode Island | Up to 1 year | $100 | 1 to 6 months | No |
South Carolina | 48 hours | $400 | 6 months | Yes |
South Dakota | Up to 1 year | $2,000 | 30 days to 1 year | No |
Tennessee | 48 hours | $350 to $1,500 | 1 year | Yes, to obtain a restricted license during the suspension period |
Texas | 3 days | Up to $2,000 | 90 to 365 days | No |
Utah | 48 hours min. | $700 min. | 120 days | No |
Vermont | Up to 2 years | Up to $750 | 90 days | No |
Virginia | Min. 5 days | Min. $250 | Up to 1 year | No |
Washington | 24 hours to 1 year | $350 | 90 days to 1 year | Yes |
West Virginia | Up to 6 months | $100 min. | 6 months | No |
Wisconsin | None | $150 to $300 | 6 to 9 months | No |
Wyoming | Up to 6 months | Up to $750 | 90 days | No |