Connecticut's Drunk Driving Law
Operating Under the Influence (OUI)
Driving is a privilege, and under Connecticut's Implied Consent Law any person who operates a motor vehicle is presumed to have given his or her consent to a test to determine blood alcohol concentration (BAC).You are legally intoxicated if your BAC is .08 or above. If you are under 21 years of age, you are legally intoxicated at a .02 BAC or higher.
If you are arrested for Operating Under the Influence (OUI):
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You will be detained by the police and read your rights.
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Your vehicle will be towed at your expense.
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You will be transported to the police station in a police cruiser.
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If the test registers a BAC of .08 or higher, you will be held on the presumption that you were operating under the influence.
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You will be kept in a police lock-up until you are bailed out.
There are two ways to lose your license:
Beginning with arrest dates on or after July 1, 2015, all driver license suspensions for failing or refusing a chemical alcohol test will be forty-five (45) days.
Installation of an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) will be required prior to restoration for ALL alcohol related suspensions. Following restoration, the IID must be maintained for at least the length of time listed below:
IID requirement for drivers under 21 years old*
|
Blood Alcohol Level |
First Offense |
Second Offense |
Third or Subsequent Offense |
|
Test results of .02 or higher |
1 year |
2 years |
3 years |
IID requirement for drivers 21 Years Old and Older*
|
Blood Alcohol Level |
First Offense |
Second Offense |
Third or Subsequent Offense |
|
Test results of .08 or higher |
6 months |
1 year |
2 years |
IID requirement for ALL drivers*
|
Refusal of test |
First Offense |
Second Offense |
Third or Subsequent Offense |
|
Refusal to submit to a breath, urine, or blood test |
1 year |
2 years |
3 years |
*If you are convicted in court for operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs under Connecticut General Statute §14-227a, §14-227g, §14-227m, or§14-227n for the same arrest, the IID may be required for a longer term. The IID is required for the duration specified in Connecticut General Statute §14-227b(i), §14-227a(g), §14-227m(c), or §14-227n(c) whichever is longer. See Section 2 below.
2. Court conviction for Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (OUI)
Under Connecticut's criminal law, a driver arrested for OUI will receive both a summons and a court date. If the court proceedings result in a conviction, the following penalties must be imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles:
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Connecticut General Statute §14-227a, §14-227g, §14-227m, §14-227n*, or §14-111n
Conviction on or after July 1, 2015
|
First
Conviction
|
45 day license suspension If the 45 day suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test for the same arrest has already been served, may be eligible for restoration immediately if there are no other suspensions. Must install Ignition Interlock Device (IID) IID required for one year following restoration, or for the duration required under the Administrative Per Se law, whichever is longer If already reinstated with an IID following the suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test for the same arrest, the IID will be credited toward completion of the one year requirement * A first conviction under §14-227n has the same penalties as a second conviction |
|
Second Conviction |
45 day license suspension If the 45 day suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test for the same arrest has already been served, may be eligible for restoration immediately if there are no other suspensions. Must install Ignition Interlock Device (IID) IID required for three years following restoration During the first year of this three-year period you may drive only to or from work, school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an IID service center, or an appointment with a probation officer. If already reinstated with an IID following the suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test for the same arrest, the IID will be credited toward completion of the three year requirement |
| Third or Subsequent Conviction |
Permanent revocation of license Must wait at least two years from the date of revocation to request a hearing for reconsideration
|
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Connecticut General Statute §14-227a, §14-227g, or §14-111n
Conviction after January 1, 2012
|
First
Conviction
|
45 day license suspension If no other suspensions, eligible for restoration after the 45 day suspension regardless of whether the suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test for the same arrest has been fully served Must install Ignition Interlock Device (IID) IID required for one year following restoration |
|
Second Conviction |
45 days license suspension, or until 21st birthday, whichever is longer. If no other suspensions, eligible for restoration after the 45 day suspension regardless of whether the suspension for failing or refusing a chemical test for the same arrest has been fully served Must install Ignition Interlock Device (IID) IID required for three years following restoration During the first year of this three-year period you may drive only to or from work, school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an IID service center, or an appointment with a probation officer. |
|
Third or Subsequent Conviction
|
Permanent revocation of license Must wait at least two years from the date of revocation to request a hearing for reconsideration |
Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Connecticut General Statute §14-227a, §14-227g, or §14-111n
Conviction prior to January 1, 2012
Under Age 21
|
First Conviction
|
1 year license suspension |
|
Second Conviction
|
3 year license suspension, or until 21st birthday, whichever is longer |
|
Third or
Subsequent Conviction |
Permanent revocation of license Must wait at least two years from the date of revocation to request a hearing for reconsideration
|
|
First Conviction
|
1 year license suspension |
|
Second Conviction
|
1 year license suspension |
|
Third or Subsequent Conviction
|
Permanent revocation of license Must wait at least two years from the date of revocation to request a hearing for reconsideration |
Manslaughter with a Motor Vehicle,
Connecticut General Statute §53a-56b or §14-111n
Assault with a Motor Vehicle, Connecticut General Statute §53a-60d or §14-111n
|
First
Conviction
|
1 year license suspension Must install Ignition Interlock Device (IID) IID required for two years following restoration |
|
Second
Conviction
|
1 year license suspension Must install Ignition Interlock Device (IID) IID required for two years following restoration |
|
Third or Subsequent
Conviction
|
Permanent revocation of license Must wait at least two years from the date of revocation to request a hearing for reconsideration |
To determine if a conviction is a first, second, or third/subsequent offense, any and all convictions reported under Connecticut General Statutes §14-111n, §14-227a, §14-227g, §14-227m,§14-227n, §53a-56b or §53a-60d are considered.
For information concerning restoration or IID requirements, you may write or call:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Driver Services Division
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161-1013
dmv.suspension@ct.gov
Phone: 860-263-5720