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District of Columbia - DC DUI Laws
In Washington DC the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) website defines the difference between a DUI and a DWI. In all states and Washington DC it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above .08 percent.
In fact a driver can be convicted of drunk driving based on their blood alcohol content if it is .08 or above. In Washington DC this is officialy known as a DWI or Driving While Intoxicated.
According to the MPD website a driver may be charged with a DUI or Driving Under the Influence charge with a blood alcohol content of .07 percent or lower if there are other signs of impairment such as irratic or unusual driving behavior or based on a field sobriety test.
DC Drunk Driving Penalties
1st DC DUI Offense
First District of Columbia Drunk Driving Offense
- Jail - Up to 90 Days
- Fine - Up to $1,000
- Driver License Suspension - 6 Months
- Driver License Reinstatement Fee $98
2nd DC DUI Offense
Second District of Columbia Drunk Driving Offense
- Jail - Up to 1 Year
- Fine - Up to $5,000
- Driver License Suspension - Up to 1 Year
- Driver License Reinstatement Fee $98
- Ignition Interlock Device - Possible
3rd DC DUI Offense
Third District of Columbia Drunk Driving Offense
- Jail - Up to 1 Year
- Fine - Up to $10,000
- Driver License Suspension - Up to 1 Year
- Driver License Reinstatement Fee $98
- Ignition Interlock Device - Possible
More on DC Drunk Driving Laws
Drivers under the age of 21 many not drive with any measurable amount of alcohol in their system without being arrested and charged with a DWI.
If your driver license is revoked because of a Drunk Driving conviction you must apply for reinstatement and attend a reinstatement hearing.
Since a DUI offense in Washington DC is 12 Points on the driving record a driver must retake the knowledge test and go through the other steps in getting a full driver license.
