District of Columbia Drunk Driving Penalties

For a first OWI, with a low BAC level and no priors, one of our attorneys here at Kemet and Hunt may be able to arrange pretrial diversion, meaning that by completing a substance abuse or DUI school, you may be able to avoid a conviction.

OWI Offenses

1st offense:
$200 to $300 fine.
Up to 30 days in jail.

2nd offense:
$300 to $500 fine
30 days in jail, or 5 days in jail and 30 days community service.

3rd offense:
$100 to $500 fine.
1 year in jail, or 10 days in jail and 60 days community service.

1st DUI/DWI Offense
$200 to $300 fine.
Up to 90 days in jail (depending on BAC). 
5 days in jail for BAC of .20% but not more than 0.25%. 
10 days in jail for BAC 0.25%. 
6 months loss of license.
Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment.
May enter the DUI/DWI diversion program. This reduces penalties, but is an admission of guilt. 
Not eligible to those with enhanced BAC.

2nd DUI Offense
$300 to $5000 fine.
5 days mandatory to 30 days in jail (depending on BAC).
30 days community service.
Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment.

2nd DUI Offense (Within 15 years of a Prior)
$1,000 to $5,000 fine.
Up to 1 year loss of license.
5 days to 1 year in jail.
10 days in jail for BAC of .20% but not more than 0.25%. 
20 days in jail for BAC 0.25%.
30 days of community service.
Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment.

3rd DUI Offense
$1,000 to $5,000 fine.
10 days to 1 year in jail.
60 days of community service.
Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment.

3rd and Subsequent Offenses (within 15 years of a Prior)
$2,000 to $10,000 fine. 
2 years loss of license.
10 days to one year in jail.
15 days in jail for BAC of .20% but not more than 0.25%. 
25 days in jail for BAC 0.25%.
60 days of community service.
Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment.

BAC Test refusal
1st offense:
Up to 1 year loss of license.
$200 to $300 fine.
Up to 30 days in jail.
Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment.
2nd offense:
$300 fine.
Up to 2 year loss of license.
Up to 90 day in jail.
Alcohol Education and Assessment/Treatment.
3rd offense:
$1000 to $5000 fine.
Up to 1 year in jail.
Up to 3 years loss of license.

Alcohol teaching and prevention programs, treatment for alcohol abuse, and assessment for possible alcohol or drug dependence can be required for DUI offenders in Washington D.C. These steps are often suggested instead of serving a sentence or paying fines.

– Washington DC DMV Sanctions –

DUI Penalties
1st offense 90 days to 6 months loss of license.
2nd offense 1 year loss of license.
3rd offense: 2 to 3 years loss of license. 

Underage Penalties
$100 to $300 fine and loss of license for 90 days for possession of alcohol or using a fake ID for alcohol. (It is illegal to possess, transport or consume alcohol if you are underage).
1st DUI offense:
$300 fine and 6 months to 1 year loss of license 
1 year loss of license for refusal of a BAC test.

Commercial Driver’s License
BAC of .04% or under the influence of a controlled substance/or refusing a BAC test.
1st offense: 1 year disqualification.
3 years loss of license for hauling hazardous material with DUI.
Subsequent offenses: lifetime disqualification.

– Citations –

District Columbia Municipal Regulations Title 18 Vehicle and Traffic Code.
Chapter 3 License suspension, etc.
Chapter 12 CDL §383.51 Disqualification of drivers.
Chapter 30 Adjudication and enforcement