DUI & DWI in Washington DC

Driving under influence (DUI) or driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI) is an offense committed when a driver operates a vehicle after the consumption of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants. The increased alcohol level in a driver’s blood decreases mental and motor skills. This reduces a driver’s ability to control the vehicle and increases driver errors of judgment and often results in accidents causing severe injuries and even death!

Drunk driving is the single largest cause of motor vehicle related fatalities. It accounts for a high of 38% to 52% of the total number of motor vehicle related deaths each year.

In Washington DC, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit is set at:

0.08% – for drivers over 21 years of age

0.04%. – for commercial drivers (CDL)

0.00% – for drivers under 21 years of age

Having a license in Washington DC automatically renders “implied consent”. “Implied consent” can be used by the officer to test your BAC level if you are stopped on the suspicion of drunk driving, either through a Breathalyzer test or by an actual blood test. Refusing to take the chemical test will result in your license being revoked for 1 year. If you are convicted of DUI/DWI, it is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on DUI violations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums.

If convicted of a DUI/ DWI the ramifications include: Heavy Fines, Points on your drivers license, and a License Suspension or Revocation, and higher Insurance Premiums! Points are assessed based on the severity of the offense and the number of convictions. All this information can be found on our website. Washington DC has a strict policy against DUI convictions and has a “look-back period” of 15 years for such convictions. So if you are arrested within 15 years of a DUI conviction, the new conviction is treated as the subsequent offense from the earlier conviction and penalties are assessed accordingly. You could also contact an STA Advisor absolutely FREE!!!

IF YOU ARE OVER 21 YEARS OLD:

• California participates in the Interstate Driver’s License Compact hence drivers licensed in other states must request hearing in a California DMV if arrested in California for DUI/DWI.
• In California, passengers of motor vehicles are also not permitted to drink or possess partially open alcoholic beverages on a highway.
• In California, conviction for DUI/DWI with a minor under age 14 as a passenger in your vehicle invites additional punishment of up to 48 hours to 90 days of continuous imprisonment.
• Similar penalties are applicable when driving any aquaplane, water skis, vessel or similar devices. These convictions are entered on your driving record and the court will use these to determine “prior convictions” for sentencing for motor vehicle DUI.
• Most DUI convictions are eligible to be expunged in California pursuant to Penal Code Section 1203.4.

See if you are eligible here.

• Imprisonment for up to 3 months with a mandatory minimum of 5 to 10 days. Depending on BAC found and/or a fine ranging from $300 to $10,000.
• 12 points will be added to your driving record.
• Your license will be suspended for 6 months.

(within 15 years)

• Imprisonment from 5 days to 1 year (the mandatory minimum varying according to BAC) and/or a fine ranging from $300 to $10,000.
• You will be required to do a month of community service after release from prison.
• 12 points will be added to your driving record.
• Your license will be revoked for 1 year.

• Imprisonment for up to 5 years and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Also, if convicted for the 3rd offense of DWI, DUID or BAC:
• You will be required to do 2 months of community service after release from prison.
• 12 points will be added to your driving record.
• Your license will be revoked for 2 years.

• In Washington DC, one has to be at least 21 years old in order to legally purchase, possess or consume alcohol. Anyone below that age who drives with any measurable level of alcohol in their blood can be arrested and their license revoked for 6 to 12 months. They will also be fined up to $300.
• The court may order a minor’s license to be suspended for 90 days for the first conviction or revoked for one year for a subsequent conviction for any alcohol or drug-related offense (including possession and use) while driving; or a second offense of possessing or using alcohol by some one under 18; or for changing or lying on your driver license.
• Apart from these actions, penalties mentioned above for drivers over 21, may also apply to minors if they are convicted of DUI/DWI.

• You will be barred from driving a commercial vehicle for a year, if you are convicted for your BAC being higher than 0.04%. The arresting officer will also issue you an “out-of-service” order valid for 24 hours.
• Apart from these actions, penalties mentioned above for drivers over 21, may also apply to commercial drivers.

If you are convicted of DUI/DWI, it will result in your license being suspended or revoked. This means that your driving privileges will be taken away and you will need to apply for a reinstatement of your license with the DMV, once the period of suspension or revocation is over.

Reinstating a license after a suspension of a year, or revocation will also mean taking the driving tests all over again. These will include the vision test, knowledge test and the road test. If you do not complete the reinstatement requirements, the license will remain suspended or revoked.

Driving with a suspended or revoked license is punishable by up to a year’s imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $5000.

• To complete the reinstatement requirements, you must prove that you have successfully completed the DUI School, pay the reinstatement fee of $98, and maintain proof of financial responsibility for two years from the date of suspension/revocation by filing SR-22, if you are over 21 years old. SR-22 is not required for minors when they are suspended for their first offense under the zero tolerance law.
• If you are being convicted for a second time, the court may order an ignition interlock device to be placed for breathalyzer tests on any vehicle you drive.

You can submit the reinstatement application and fees (Monday-Friday from 8.15 am to 4:00 pm, except for state holidays) in person at:

Driver Improvement Office

301 C Street, NW, Room 1033

Washington, DC 20001

You can also send the reinstatement package by mail to:

DMV Driver Improvement Office

P O Box 91980

Washington, DC 20090