DUI Laws in Connecticut
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Ignition Interlock Device Laws
- The state of Connecticut defines driving under the influence as operating a vehicle with a BAC of .08% or higher. For drivers under the age of 21, the threshold for the offense is lowered to .02%.
- Connecticut ignition interlock device laws state, drivers whose license has been suspended for a DUI conviction may apply to enter an ignition interlock device program after serving a minimum term of suspension.
- For most first- and second-time offenders, the minimum term is 45 days.
- Offenders under 21 may not enter the program until after their twenty-first birthday.
- Offenders with more than two convictions are not eligible for the ignition interlock program and may face higher fines and permanent license revocation.
License Suspension
Administrative Suspension
If a driver fails or refuses to take a field breathalyzer test upon being stopped for suspicion of DUI, the driver’s license will be automatically suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles for a period of six months to six years, depending on the driver’s age, BAC, and conviction history.
For a driver under 21, the suspension will last until the driver’s twenty-first birthday.
Judicial Suspension
Upon conviction or the establishment of a plea agreement, offenders are subject to further suspension or license revocation, along with fines and jail time under the Connecticut DUI laws.
DUI Penalties and Fees in Connecticut
| 1st Offense | Fine: $500 to $1,000 Jail Time: 2 days to 6 months Period of License Suspension: 45 days followed by 1 year with an ignition interlock |
|---|---|
| 2nd Offense | Fine: $1,000 to $4,000 Jail Time: 120 days to 2 years Period of License Suspension: 45 days, followed by three years of driving only a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock, with operation for the first year limited to travel to or from work, school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, or ignition interlock service center. |
| 3rd Offense | Fine: $2,000 to $8,000 Jail Time: 1 to 3 years Period of License Suspension: Permanent (the offender is eligible for reinstatement after two years. If reinstated, he or she must drive only interlock-equipped vehicles for as long as the offender drives, except that the commissioner may lift this requirement after 15 years, for good cause). |
Get Your Suspended Drivers License Reinstated
Our goal is to get you back to the road safely and legally, here’s how to get your license back
Schedule Install Connecticut License ReinstatementSource(s): Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a
OLR Research Report: Connecticut DUI Law. Retrieved April 10, 2017 from https://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0279.htm
Last Updated: November 13, 2019
This information was obtained from third party sites and is for informational purposes only. Although RoadGuard attempts to keep in the information up to date, it is provided "as-is" and RoadGuard disclaims all warranties, express and implied, including but not limited to its accuracy and completeness. Any reliance on this information is at your sole risk. The information is not intended as legal advice and should not be relied on as such. If you need advice concerning the State’s requirements or your personal obligations please consult with your monitoring authority, attorney or local court.