Connecticut DUI/DWI Laws & Penalties

There are two distinct types of penalties in a Connecticut DUI case. 

First, you need to be concerned with your immediate license suspension if you fail a breath test or refuse to take one.

Second, the criminal court penalties of you are convicted of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol in Connecticut. You face additional license suspension time,  as well as possible jail time, fines, community service, alcohol treatment programs, and more.

License Suspension after your CT DUI Arrest

Immediately after you are arrested on a Drunk Driving / DUI charge in Connecticut, you are subject to a license suspension based on a failure of the breathalyzer, or refusal to take the test. The license suspension is an administrative penalty issued by the Connecticut DMV, and the penalties are as follows:

Breath Test/Breathalyzer failure (BAC result .08 up to .16) penalties

• For a first offense, your license will be suspended for 90 days.
• For a second (2nd) offense, your license will be suspended for 9 months.
• For a third (3rd) offense, your license will be suspended for 2 years.

Breath Test/Breathalyzer failure (BAC result of .16 or higher) penalties

• For a first offense, your license will be suspended for 120 days.
• For a second (2nd) offense, your license will be suspended for 10 months.
• For a third (3rd) offense, your license will be suspended for 2 1/2 years.

Refusing to Submit to a Breathalyzer test

If you refuse to take a breath test, the license suspension is longer than if you had failed with a very high BAC level. The penalties for refusing to agree to a breath or chemical test for Blood Alcohol content are as follows:

• For a first offense refusal, your license will be suspended for 6 months.
• For a second (2nd) refusal offense, your license will be suspended for 1 year.
• For a third (3rd) refusal offense, your license will be suspended for 3 years.

Refusal penalties are in addition to any license suspension penalties as a result of being found guilty or convicted of the DUI/DWI charge.

Under 21 Breathalyzer Failure Penalties

The penalties for failing a breath test if you are under 21 (the legal drinking age) result from a BAC reading of .02 or higher. The penalties are:

• For a first offense, your license will be suspended for 90 days.
• For a second (2nd) offense, your license will be suspended for 9 months.
• For a third (3rd) offense, your license will be suspended for 2 years.

Connecticut DWI/DUI Penalties

First offense DUI

• Jail: 6 months. Either 48 hours (2 days) mandatory be served, or a suspended sentence with 100 hours of community service
• Fines: $500-1000
• Driver's License Suspended for 1 year.

Second (2nd) offense DUI

A drunk driving charge is considered a 2nd offense if you have a previous conviction within 10 years.

• 2 years in Jail. 120 days mandatory minimum must be served, along with 100 hours of community service
• Fines: $1000-$4000
• Driver's License Suspended for 3 years (or until age 21, whichever is longer)

Third (3rd) offense DUI

A drunk driving charge is considered a 3rd offense if you have at least one previous conviction within 10 years (of the 2 convictions).

• 3 years in Jail. 1 year mandatory minimum must be served, along with 100 hours of community service
• Fines: $1000-$4000
• Driver's License Suspended permanently (revoked).