Connecticut DUI Laws & Penalties
Last reviewed:
CT statute says 'operating under the influence' (OUI) — both terms circulate; use DUI with an OUI note. First-offense IDIP diversion (dismissal) is the headline fact.
Overview
- Legal BAC limit: 0.08% (commercial 0.04%, under-21 0.02%, enhanced at 0.16%).
- Lookback period: 10 years.
- Primary statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a
0.16+ affects administrative per-se suspension terms and program placement; criminal penalty ladder is offense-count driven.
Penalties by offense
| Offense | Classification | Jail | Fine | License suspension | Interlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | misdemeanor | 48 hours (or 100 hours community service) – 6 months; mandatory min 48 hours OR 100 hrs community service | $500–$1,000 | 45-day suspension, then IID 1 year – 45 days + 1-year IID; hardship: IID = full driving after the 45 days | Required |
| Second offense | misdemeanor (within 10 years) | 120 consecutive days – 2 years; mandatory min 120 days + probation with 100 hrs community service | $1,000–$4,000 | 45-day suspension, then IID 3 years – 45 days + 3-year IID; hardship: IID path | Required |
| Third offense | felony (3rd within 10 years) | 1 year mandatory – 3 years; mandatory min 1 year | $2,000–$8,000 | permanent revocation (reinstatement petition possible after 2–6 years per DMV rules) – permanent; hardship: if reinstated: IID up to 15 years or life-designated period | Required |
First offense
- Classification: misdemeanor
- Jail: 48 hours (or 100 hours community service) – 6 months; mandatory min 48 hours OR 100 hrs community service
- Fine: $500–$1,000
- License suspension: 45-day suspension, then IID 1 year – 45 days + 1-year IID; hardship: IID = full driving after the 45 days
- Alternative disposition: Impaired Driver Intervention Program (IDIP, formerly AEP): pretrial diversion for first arrests — sessions + fees, case DISMISSED on completion; usable once per 10 years. Most first offenders take this path.
- Interlock: 1 year IID after the 45-day suspension — universal for convictions.
Second offense
- Classification: misdemeanor (within 10 years)
- Jail: 120 consecutive days – 2 years; mandatory min 120 days + probation with 100 hrs community service
- Fine: $1,000–$4,000
- License suspension: 45-day suspension, then IID 3 years – 45 days + 3-year IID; hardship: IID path
- First year of the 3-year IID: driving limited to work/school/treatment/IID-service.
Third offense
- Classification: felony (3rd within 10 years)
- Jail: 1 year mandatory – 3 years; mandatory min 1 year
- Fine: $2,000–$8,000
- License suspension: permanent revocation (reinstatement petition possible after 2–6 years per DMV rules) – permanent; hardship: if reinstated: IID up to 15 years or life-designated period
- Higher penalties when minor passengers involved at every level.
Refusing a chemical test (implied consent)
Administrative per-se: refusal = 45-day suspension + LONGER IID term (1 year IID first refusal) than a failed test; refusal admissible at trial.
Statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227b
Ignition interlock
CT converted long suspensions to short (45-day) suspensions + long universal IID terms in 2015 — every conviction and administrative violation ends in an IID period (1–3+ years; up to 15 years post-felony).
Statute: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227j; DMV IID program
Frequently asked questions
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Connecticut?
A first DUI in Connecticut is a misdemeanor. Jail: 48 hours (or 100 hours community service) – 6 months; mandatory min 48 hours OR 100 hrs community service. Fine: $500–$1,000. License suspension: 45-day suspension, then IID 1 year – 45 days + 1-year IID; hardship: IID = full driving after the 45 days.
What is the legal BAC limit in Connecticut?
0.08% for most drivers, 0.04% for commercial drivers, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.
How long does Connecticut look back at prior DUI offenses?
10 years.